Tony Stewart, one of the most accomplished drivers in American motorsports history, once offered a detailed explanation of what set him apart during his successful career across both NASCAR and IndyCar.
In a 2022 interview with Robb Report, Stewart had discussed the challenges of switching between NASCAR and IndyCar, which had drastically different types of race cars. He also explanied why that versatility has become increasingly rare in the modern era of drivers.
Stewart is one of the few drivers in racing history to achieve success in elite divisions of both NASCAR and IndyCar, a feat that’s quite rare in today’s motorsports landscape. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 1997 IndyCar titlist had shared insights into what made his cross-discipline dominance possible and why it’s harder to find that success in present times.
Tony Stewart Explained Why Modern Drivers Rarely Crossed Racing Paths
In the interview, Stewart had explained that mastering both varieties of motorsports required adapting to entirely different driving styles.
“I think it’s because the cars are just on opposite ends of the spectrum in motorsports,” Stewart said. “I mean, a stock car is 3,500 pounds and has a much narrower tire than the IndyCar does, while an IndyCar is half the weight and has two to three times more downforce than a stock car. Everything about the cars is extremely different.”
While this challenge to go between series was once part of the sport’s fabric, things slowly changed.
“Back in the 1960’s, ‘70’s and even ‘80’s, drivers would venture back and forth between different forms of motorsports. Now, in this era, that’s a dying art,” added Stewart.
The racing legend acknowledged that some of the current drivers, like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman, and Chase Elliott, are bringing back some of that spirit through dirt racing. However, during Stewart’s time in the early 2000s, he was the only one doing it.
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“It wasn’t frowned on by NASCAR, but Joe Gibbs, who I drove for, was not a fan of it at all. And to his point, it’s like NBA or NFL players in pickup games getting hurt. So you just don’t see drivers that bounce back and forth like that anymore, especially when it comes to marquee events in IndyCar and NASCAR,” he shared.
Stewart’s reflections served as a reminder of a more adaptable generation of drivers, one that could jump between cars, surfaces, and series. His words were also perhaps a warning that racing’s cross-disciplinary roots are being left behind due to the risk management getting stricter in top-tier racing.