Tony Stewart has launched a Tony Stewart new partnership with renowned driver Rico Abreu, marking a dynamic shift for his Sprint Car team as the duo prepare for upcoming racing seasons. The announcement made headlines when Abreu playfully joked about Stewart’s height, setting an upbeat tone for the collaboration that will see the team compete in the 2026 Kubota High Limit Sprint Car Series.
Fresh Beginnings For Tony Stewart’s Sprint Car Program
Following an illustrious tenure with Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart has made a decisive move by selecting Rico Abreu to lead his Sprint Car team into a new era. This transition was unveiled with good humor between the new partners, as Abreu, known for his short stature, made light of the situation, earning a laugh from Stewart himself. Their growing camaraderie highlights mutual respect, especially as Stewart brings decades of motorsports achievements, from the 1997 IndyCar championship to three NASCAR Cup Series titles, to this new venture.
Rico Abreu embraced the playful dynamic on social media. As he put it,
“I have always looked up to you (Tony Stewart)… literally.”
This friendly banter was echoed by Stewart’s own response, using a laughing emoji to express his delight.
Key Changes to the Racing Roster and Strategy
The partnership introduces a unique arrangement: Tony Stewart Racing will now lease Abreu’s team specifically for competition in the 2026 Kubota High Limit Sprint Car Series. This top-level division is co-managed by NASCAR figure Kyle Larson, adding further prestige to the race calendar. The agreement permits Abreu to retain his established support crew—Ricky Warner, Zack Middlebrooks, and Brady Forbrook—ensuring continuity in team dynamics and technical expertise.
Looking at recent achievements, Abreu is currently leading the 2025 series, holding a 25-point advantage over his closest competitor. His status as the most successful driver in series history, with 21 wins in just 98 starts, makes him a key figure in the evolving landscape of open-wheel dirt car racing.
Rico Abreu Reflects on Stewart’s Reputation and Leadership
While Tony Stewart is known by fans for his fiery attitude on track—often clashing with competitors like Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, and Matt Kenseth—Abreu offers a candid account of Stewart’s character behind the scenes. The new team driver dispelled misconceptions, highlighting Stewart’s supportive mentorship and kindness within the industry.
“People see the other side of Tony Stewart. The part of him that is a gruff, hard a**, but all I’ve ever seen from Tony is kindness. Someone kept breaking into our shop, and Tony told me to come over and work out of his place, and I was reluctant to at first.”
As he prepares to pilot the #24 Tony Stewart Racing sprint car, Abreu emphasized the personal support he received:
“He always treated me with respect. He respected me as a racer. I haven’t always had confidence. As a little person, believing that I fit in here, but he always made me feel like I belonged. I learned a lot about leadership from Tony. And above all else, when we got done doing (Dale Jr. Download), I just sent him a thank you text for all of that because I don’t know that I would have made it without people like him who made me feel welcome here in the first place.”
Tony Stewart: From Controversial Racer to Family Man
Tony Stewart’s intense reputation was forged through memorable incidents, such as heated exchanges with Joey Logano and Kurt Busch, and the iconic moment when he hurled a helmet at Matt Kenseth’s car at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2012. Nonetheless, Stewart’s public persona has shifted in recent years. Now 54, he is better known as a devoted family man, sharing his life with drag racer Leah Pruett and their son, Dominic James, who was born during the 2024 NHRA season finale at Pomona Dragstrip.
A Promising Future for the Stewart-Abreu Collaboration
The Tony Stewart new partnership with Rico Abreu signals a fresh direction and renewed energy for his Sprint Car outfit. With Abreu’s proven skill and Stewart’s leadership, the team enters the 2026 Kubota High Limit Sprint Car Series with both momentum and humor on their side. Their lighthearted approach, as seen in their early exchanges, has already resonated with racing fans and motorsports insiders.
This collaboration not only unites established and emerging talent but also bridges generations within the racing community. As Abreu leads the 2025 championship standings, the eyes of NASCAR, IndyCar, and sprint car enthusiasts will be firmly on this duo as they shape the future of Tony Stewart Racing. The partnership’s impact is expected to be significant, influencing team culture and success well beyond the upcoming season.
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) September 18, 2025
