Despite his illustrious NASCAR career that includes three Cup Series championships, Tony Stewart has never hidden where his true passion in racing lies. In a move that surprised many fans and insiders, the motorsports legend has repeatedly expressed that dirt track racing and not NASCAR’s high-profile stock car circuits hold his heart.
Stewart’s unexpected preference for dirt racing over the NASCAR series, where he built his fame and fortune, represents a genuine commitment to racing’s grassroots. While he achieved tremendous success on pavement, Stewart’s connection to dirt racing runs deeper, dating back to his early years in motorsports.
Why Tony Stewart’s Heart Belongs to Dirt Racing
“The thing about dirt tracks that I like versus what we do at NASCAR—the track constantly changes on a dirt track as the night goes on. On a pavement track, they pretty much stay the same. I still love my pavement races and I still love running a NASCAR race, but this is where my passion is.”
“If you go race a dirt modified or a super late model or the winged sprint car with the World of Outlaws, it’s not going down at all. It’s tougher competition in that series than it is in the Truck Series or the Nationwide Series. You’ve got better drivers, better equipment across the board. It’s competitive every week.”
“Everybody has hobbies. Everybody has stuff they like to do when they have downtime, and that’s just what it is for me. That’s what I like to do when I have extra time… I just like it. I’ve always liked dirt racing. I’ve always liked racing Sprint cars, and it’s just what I enjoy doing.”
For Stewart, dirt racing isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about the challenge. Dirt tracks change constantly during a race, forcing drivers to adapt quickly. Unlike NASCAR’s paved tracks that stay pretty much the same, dirt requires different skills and quick thinking throughout the night.
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Stewart puts his money where his mouth is, too. He owns Eldora Speedway, one of the most famous dirt tracks in America. He even helped bring NASCAR’s Truck Series to dirt by creating the Mudsummer Classic at his track.
Even when he was at the top of his NASCAR game, Stewart would spend his free weekends racing Sprint Cars on dirt. He calls it his reset button.
While most racing fans expected the NASCAR star to favor the series that brought him fame and fortune, Stewart’s love for dirt racing shows what kind of racer he really is. He values the raw, unpredictable nature of dirt tracks more than the spotlight of NASCAR.
For Tony Stewart, dirt racing will always be home, and that says more about his racing spirit than any trophy ever could.