Tony Stewart, a legend within the NASCAR community, has again ignited debate, this time due to controversy around his SRX series, as acknowledged during recent courtroom proceedings. As the antitrust trial involving NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports continues, NASCAR’s own leadership expressed their unease regarding the competitive threat posed by Stewart’s SRX series—a reveal that underscores the high stakes and conflicted emotions in the world of professional stock car racing.
NASCAR Leadership Expresses Concerns Over the SRX Series
Although Tony Stewart has stepped away from active driving and team ownership, his influence remains strong, particularly with the creation of the SRX series. During recent testimony in a pivotal trial, NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell acknowledged intense apprehension among top NASCAR officials. O’Donnell’s statements, reflected in courtroom data reported by Matt Weaver of Motorsport, indicated that worries increased after the SRX series began to draw significant attention in its second and third years.
In more than two hours of questioning by attorney Jeffrey Kessler, O’Donnell addressed mounting similarities between SRX and NASCAR events. He admitted there were real fears within NASCAR’s ranks about growing competition, especially as SRX’s format began to mirror NASCAR’s established image.
“It started to look more and more like NASCAR,”
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President. Initially, Stewart and his team had promised in early discussions that SRX would not resemble NASCAR, but O’Donnell testified that these distinctions soon faded.
O’Donnell further revealed that concerns over SRX’s resemblance to NASCAR played a critical role in the governing body’s decision to prevent Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) from hosting SRX events. This evolved beyond a matter of scheduling and entered into strategic protection of NASCAR’s brand and business interests.
Addressing why NASCAR opted for this route, O’Donnell stated,
“We wanted to gain as much TV revenue for the teams and tracks.”
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President. The financial dynamics and television contracts were clearly a key factor in limiting external competition, emphasizing the intense climate within the sport.
Chicago Street Race and Its Impact on NASCAR’s Business Strategy
Attorney Jeffrey Kessler questioned why NASCAR permitted the Chicago Street Race while restricting SRX. The decision became a focal point for highlighting NASCAR’s strategic moves. Kessler pointed to moments like Denny Hamlin’s potential participation in SRX, which triggered internal reviews of competition clauses within NASCAR guidelines. The discussion extended into non-compete restrictions faced by drivers in lower-tier NASCAR events and their ramifications for other leagues.
Steve O’Donnell, in response to questioning, confirmed that the Chicago Street Race was pivotal for the sport’s future, particularly for lucrative media rights deals. He explained that allowing the Chicago contest—and similar moves, such as holding races in Mexico City—bolstered NASCAR’s appeal to major broadcast partners.
“We were able to get 1 billion because we had the Chicago Street Race and Mexico City.”
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President. The billion-dollar deal with Amazon Prime Video, O’Donnell revealed, hinged partly on these high-profile events and their distinct potential to elevate NASCAR’s visibility and commercial value.
Unfolding Implications for NASCAR’s Future Amid the SRX Controversy
The antitrust trial and O’Donnell’s sworn statements have cast fresh light on NASCAR’s response to growing threats from series like Stewart’s SRX. The dispute illustrates how sensitive NASCAR leadership is to advances by competing organizations, and how business interests shape sporting decisions at the highest levels. As testimony continues and new revelations come to light, all eyes remain on The Stewarts, legal figures like Jeffrey Kessler, and media voices such as Matt Weaver of Motorsport for further developments. This controversy highlights not only the challenge of maintaining a competitive edge in motorsports, but also the broader implications for sports business, innovation, and partnerships in an industry marked by intense rivalries and constant evolution.
Quick break
Steve O'Donnell has been on the stand for the past two hours under questioning from Jeffrey Kessler
The principal topics Kessler is using OD to build a case around is how NASCAR viewed SRX as an emerging competitor and the decisions made to mitigate the threat and…
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) December 4, 2025
