Tony Stewart On How NHRA, NASCAR Ownership Is The Same, But Different

Tony Stewart, the 52-year-old racing legend, who has achieved great success in the IndyCar and NASCAR circuits, shows no signs of slowing down. With a career that includes victories in the Indy 500 and three IndyCar races, as well as three NASCAR Cup series titles, Stewart has proven himself as a versatile and skilled driver.

But Stewart’s passion for racing extends beyond the traditional circuits. He has also found success in dirt cars, sprint cars, and midgets, and even ventured into team ownership with the establishment of Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) in 2000. Since its inception, TSR has secured an impressive 27 owner championships across various racing series.

In 2008, Stewart made a significant move by becoming co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR. While he retired from full-time NASCAR racing in 2016, his involvement in the sport continues through team ownership. In 2021, Stewart married Leah Pruett, a professional racer in the NHRA’s Top Fuel division.

This union between Stewart and Pruett naturally led to Stewart’s announcement in 2021 that Tony Stewart Racing would enter the NHRA, competing in both Top Fuel and Funny Car categories with Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan respectively.

When discussing the differences between owning a NASCAR team and an NHRA team, Stewart highlights the disparity in team size. With around 25-26 people dedicated to the Nitro teams at TSR, compared to the 385 personnel at SHR during his NASCAR tenure, the NHRA operation is undoubtedly smaller. Additionally, the cost of running a Nitro team is significantly less than that of a full-time Cup team.

Despite these differences, Stewart emphasizes the importance of attention to detail and assembling the right team in both racing disciplines. Hiring the right people for specific roles becomes even more critical in a smaller team setting. Moreover, attracting sponsorship is a significant challenge for NHRA teams, but the lower costs can facilitate more reasonable budgets.

Stewart is grateful for the continued support of his longstanding sponsor, Mobil 1, which has been with him since his Stewart-Haas Racing days in NASCAR. The brand’s involvement extended to Stewart’s one-off race in a top alcohol dragster in 2022. Mobil 1 was enthusiastic about the opportunity, as it generated significant media attention with minimal expenditure.

In 2022, Mobil 1 officially joined Tony Stewart Racing for the NHRA season. The association proved fruitful when both Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan secured victories at the NHRA Fall Nationals in Texas. Pruett’s dragster sported a Mobil 1 paint scheme, adding further significance to the achievement.

However, attracting new sponsors to the NHRA team poses unique challenges. Unlike NASCAR races, NHRA events have shorter track time, with cars spending more time in the pit area. Stewart addresses this by providing hospitality rigs in their pit areas, offering partners a chance to witness the behind-the-scenes action and engage with the team.

Stewart also credits fellow NHRA team owners, Antron Brown and Ron Capps, for their invaluable assistance in getting his NHRA team off the ground. He particularly highlights the guidance and support provided by Brown, who was the first to embark on the NHRA team ownership journey. Stewart and Capps also collaborated closely, sharing experiences and resources in building their respective programs.

Stewart’s foray into the NHRA circuit has been a testament to his passion for racing and his ability to adapt to new challenges. With the continued support of sponsors like Mobil 1 and the expertise of his team, Stewart’s NHRA team is poised for success in the future.

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Olivia Carter

Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.