NASCAR legend Tony Stewart has once again set the motorsport world ablaze with a provocative statement that’s sparked fierce debate among fans and insiders. During a recent appearance on the Rubbin is Racing podcast, the three-time Cup Series champion didn’t mince words, declaring that the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s most iconic race, “doesn’t carry the same weight it did 15-20 years ago.” Stewart, who retired from NASCAR team ownership with Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure in 2024, argued that the sport’s modern car designs have leveled the playing field to a fault, allowing less dominant drivers to win the prestigious race through luck or late-race chaos rather than skill. “Anybody can win it now,” he said, a comment that’s ignited a firestorm on X.
Stewart’s critique centers on the Next Gen car’s parity, which he believes has diluted the Daytona 500’s aura. He pointed to recent winners, some of whom he claims wouldn’t have stood a chance in earlier eras, as evidence of the race’s diminished exclusivity. With 49 Cup Series victories but no Daytona 500 trophy, Stewart boldly stated he wouldn’t trade any of his wins for one, a stance that stunned listeners given the race’s hallowed status. His comments come as he thrives in NHRA drag racing, where he recently clinched the 2025 Top Fuel regular season title, suggesting his focus has shifted away from NASCAR’s orbit.
The reaction on X has been polarized. Some fans applaud Stewart’s candor, agreeing that the Daytona 500’s unpredictability has altered its legacy. “He’s speaking facts—strategy trumps talent too often now,” one user posted. Others, however, accuse him of disrespecting a race that defines NASCAR’s identity. “Tony’s out of line. Daytona is still the Super Bowl of racing,” another fan countered. The debate has also drawn attention to Stewart’s broader frustrations with NASCAR, including his earlier remarks calling the sport’s charter system a “joke” amid ongoing legal battles involving teams like 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
Stewart’s history of unfiltered opinions—whether clashing with officials or critiquing the sport’s direction—makes this latest controversy unsurprising. Yet, his words carry weight as a Hall of Famer who raced in NASCAR’s fiercely competitive 2000s era. His pivot to NHRA, coupled with personal milestones like welcoming a son with wife Leah Pruett, suggests he’s content leaving NASCAR behind. Still, his Daytona 500 comments have reopened discussions about the sport’s evolution and whether its crown jewel has lost its luster. As NASCAR heads toward the 2026 season, with changes like Haas Factory Team’s switch to Chevrolet, Stewart’s remarks ensure he remains a lightning rod, challenging the sport to confront its past and future while keeping fans on edge.
