Tony Stewart, a respected three-time Cup Series champion in NASCAR, has a reputation for offering pivotal Tony Stewart racing career advice to young drivers. In the high-intensity environment of motorsports, his influence often shapes not only the races on the track but also the destinies of future competitors, evidenced by the transformation of drivers like Josh Wise.
For hopefuls aiming to break out in stock car racing, Stewart’s willingness to guide newcomers is apparent both in public and behind closed doors. One telling story captures the impact of Stewart’s direct mentoring style, demonstrating how a single conversation can alter a driver’s mindset for an entire career and even for years after retirement.
A Conversation That Redirected Josh Wise’s NASCAR Path
In 2011, Josh Wise, who came up through the dirt-track ranks, was presented with a significant opportunity to test for Penske at Memphis. This entry point into the highest echelons of American racing was due in part to Tony Stewart’s network and belief in Wise’s early promise, which Stewart had recognized when he hired Wise in 2003 after Wise dominated national USAC events.
Before that fateful test, a young Wise reached out to Stewart for guidance. As Wise recounted on Throttle Therapy with Katherine Leggie, he said:
Hey, I got this test… I need some help, some feedback,
Josh Wise, driver, sharing his experience as a young competitor.
Stewart’s answer was brief and unapologetically direct, giving only the most essential suggestion required for success. Rather than overload Wise with technical detail, he simply told him he would figure things out on his own. This minimalist advice initially seemed sparse, but ultimately forced Wise to trust his instincts and process, focusing his raw skill for the challenges ahead.
From Raw Potential to Lasting Impact on the Sport
Through Stewart’s pointed advice, Wise was able to convert his early break into 156 Cup races between 2011 and 2016, highlighted by a top-10 finish at Talladega in 2015. Wise admitted that while he was navigating NASCAR’s demanding stages, he could not always explain his methods or strategies; that realization only came later with experience and reflection. He said to Katherine Legge,
There are drivers that can really, deeply articulate [it]… I was probably one of those for a long period where I just didn’t really understand that even the internal strategies that I had developed over time, and how I was implementing those, I couldn’t really articulate them,
Josh Wise, driver, on articulating racing intuition.
Struggling in underfunded teams, including stints with Phil Parsons Racing and The Motorsports Group, Wise transitioned after 2017 from full-time driving to a new role. With insight gained from his racing days—and the realization of a “huge void” in how drivers were being prepared—Wise became a driver performance consultant for Chevrolet’s teams. This new focus gave him the platform to mentor emerging talents and improve preparation standards across the Chevrolet pipeline, including working directly with prominent drivers Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick at Chip Ganassi Racing.
Wise’s journey demonstrates how Stewart’s succinct advice—geared toward self-reliance and personal growth—helped to transform Wise from a mid-pack NASCAR driver into a guiding force off the track, helping others to bridge the same gap he once faced.
Stewart’s Life Beyond the Cup Series: Balancing Relationships and Brand Loyalties
Tony Stewart’s influence on the next generation is not confined to just racing or mentoring; it extends into his personal life and the careful balance of professional relationships. After shifting his competitive focus from NASCAR to NHRA drag racing, Stewart began a meaningful relationship with Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett, whom he met in 2019 through Don Prudhomme. Their bond quickly became serious, culminating in a 2021 marriage and the arrival of their son in 2024.
However, their high-profile romance presented another challenge: navigating competing sponsor commitments. Pruett was aligned with Pennzoil and Dodge, while Stewart was long-backed by Mobil 1 and Ford. As Stewart explained on the Dale Jr. Download,
The first one was, she’s sponsored by Pennzoil. I’m sponsored by Mobil 1. That’s the first hurdle. She’s sponsored by Dodge. And then Dodge and Ford. So it’s like, ‘Man, what are we going to do?’
Tony Stewart, the driver, on the complication of sponsor conflicts.
To manage these conflicts privately, Stewart went as far as involving his public relations team to keep their relationship under wraps, preventing any public-facing branding clashes. He described the negotiation and resolution:
We’ll work around it. You know? We said, ‘Hey, when I go to her events, I won’t wear any branding.’ When she goes to my events, she won’t wear any branding. And that’s what we’ve done. And that’s it. Was very successful with that,
Tony Stewart, the driver, detailing how they avoided sponsor conflicts. The discreet arrangement allowed both to continue professional commitments without jeopardizing their sponsors or relationship.
Stewart went on to support Pruett during her maternity leave from racing by driving her NHRA Top Fuel dragster, earning NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in the process. This gesture reinforced Stewart’s ongoing reputation for putting the needs of those close to him before his own, whether in a racing team context or in his personal partnership with Pruett.
A Pattern of Guidance and Influence in Racing
Tony Stewart’s understated yet impactful mentorship has produced tangible results both in other drivers’ achievements and in his transition to new roles. Wise’s growth into a driver performance consultant and educator in the Chevrolet development program gives a clear example of how Stewart’s Tony Stewart racing career advice can endure well beyond a driver’s racing tenure. Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick are among the growing list of talents benefiting from this lineage of guidance and preparation, echoing Stewart’s core belief that true excellence is not always easily explained, but must be fostered through self-reliance and adaptation.
In his own career progress, Stewart demonstrates the ability to navigate complex sponsorship and organizational challenges while supporting those around him—whether it’s mentoring a promising young driver or balancing personal relationships against corporate interests. This thoughtful approach continues to resonate not just on the racetrack, but far beyond, as his influence shapes both the current and next generation of talent in motorsports.
