After a decade away from competing in a NASCAR race, Tony Stewart is set to make his return in the Craftsman Truck Series event at Daytona this weekend. Stewart, known as “Smoke,” will be tackling his first NASCAR race since retiring after the 2016 season, bringing anticipation to fans and renewed attention to the ongoing Tony Stewart NASCAR return.
While Stewart has remained closely connected to NASCAR as a part owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, the closure of his team in 2024 prompted him to focus on his NHRA drag racing pursuits and personal life milestones, including embracing fatherhood for the first time. His competitive spirit, however, continues to draw him back to the track.
From Ownership to Controversy: Stewart’s Evolving NASCAR Role
In the years following his retirement, Stewart transitioned into several racing-related roles. He helped found the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), which became known for attracting top NASCAR personalities like Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott for mid-week short track battles from 2021 until SRX’s run ended in 2023.
Stewart’s involvement with SRX hasn’t been without conflict. Tensions between SRX and NASCAR leadership escalated, especially regarding concerns that the new series could pull focus from NASCAR’s core audience and stars. These disagreements would later come to light in a legal fight with significant fallout.
Text Message Revelations and NASCAR Leadership’s Discontent
During an antitrust lawsuit filed against NASCAR by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, internal text messages were made public, revealing the intensity of leadership’s stance toward SRX. In a pivotal moment, former NASCAR Chairman Steve Phelps wrote,
“put a knife in this trash series.”
— Steve Phelps, Former NASCAR Chairman, underlining the strength of opposition at the executive level.
Further messages from NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell expressed frustration that drivers and owners—including Stewart—were supportive of SRX, questioning their loyalty to the legacy that helped craft their careers. The friction deepened when executives voiced concerns that fans might be confused seeing popular drivers like Chase Elliott participate in SRX with recognizable sponsors and car numbers, even though the SRX vehicles shared little resemblance with those raced in the main NASCAR series.
On-Track Rivalries Highlight Ongoing Tensions
An unforgettable showdown during SRX’s 2021 event in Nashville exemplified the spirit of competition between leading stars.
“A battle of champions! 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Chase Elliott and 2021 SRX Points Champion Tony Stewart battling for the Main Event win here in Nashville. pic.twitter.com/9QrAziISzW — CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 18, 2021”
— CBS Sports, as the racing world watched Stewart and Elliott fight for victory.
Stewart Responds to NASCAR President’s Comments
With Stewart stepping back into NASCAR competition, questions about his relationship with Steve O’Donnell, the organization’s president, naturally resurfaced. When pressed at Daytona about his interactions with O’Donnell, Stewart delivered a characteristically candid response:
“I have not had that pleasure yet. Not at all. … I’m going to do my deal. If I run into Steve O’Donnell, he’ll have to deal with that part. But I’m gonna go do me and I don’t really care what he does this week.”
— Tony Stewart, Driver and Former Team Owner
This blunt exchange demonstrates that Stewart’s resentment over past criticisms and executive attitudes regarding SRX still lingers, despite his willingness to strap into a NASCAR truck once again.
What Stewart’s Return Means for NASCAR Fans and the Sport
Tony Stewart’s reappearance on the NASCAR track revives unresolved tensions between outspoken drivers and the sport’s leadership, reflected in his unfiltered comment about Steve O’Donnell. With Stewart and other iconic figures such as Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott still entwined in the web of ownership, competition, and branding, the attention surrounding this NASCAR event is heightened.
As Stewart prepares to compete in Daytona, fans and industry members alike await any on—or off—track fireworks that may erupt from the collision of personalities and history. For NASCAR, Stewart’s return is both a spotlight on the enduring popularity of legends and a reminder of ongoing challenges in balancing innovation, tradition, and executive relationships within the sport.
A battle of champions!
2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Chase Elliott and 2021 SRX Points Champion Tony Stewart battling for the Main Event win here in Nashville. pic.twitter.com/9QrAziISzW
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 18, 2021
