Tony Stewart, the NASCAR Hall of Famer, is denying rumors that he has a tense relationship with the media. In addition to being a successful driver with three Cup Series titles and 49 race victories, Stewart has been a force in the NASCAR world throughout his illustrious career as a team owner with Stewart-Haas Racing.
Despite this success, his reputation for having a blunt and sometimes contentious relationship with the media persists. In a recent interview with Sullivan Town BBQ (below), Stewart discussed these perceptions, claiming that the reality of his interactions is more amicable than they appear on the surface. He explained: “Actually, much more fond than people think.
Even the NASCAR media from the past, some of whom I don’t like today but who I’m close friends with, and some with whom I got along and who were friends back then are still friends. Contrary to popular assumption, you have a lot of friends in the media. From his early days as an aggressive driver to his current position as a broadcaster and team owner, Stewart’s career through NASCAR has given him numerous chances to establish a variety of business connections. Stewart is well-versed in the difficulties of handling media relations. He talks about how, right after a race, when feelings are still running high, drivers frequently face questions from the media.
“But with the media, once you got out of the car, they would put a microphone in your face, and you hadn’t even had time to get over your anger or even speak to the person you’re angry at to hear their side of the story,” he continued. I mean, I started doing commentary for FOX and turned into a media man.” By the end of the 2024 season, Stewart had recently shut down his NASCAR business. “It’s honestly, especially in the last two to three weeks, it’s starting to feel exactly like a year ago when we knew you were coming to the end of your career,” Stewart said in reference to the shutdown of Stewart-Haas Racing, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports.
And recalling the pleasant days we had together on the road, when I drove your Xfinity vehicle, and other enjoyable activities. As you said, I actually traveled to Talladega, from Talladega to Charlotte, and spent the entire day at the shop, seeing as many people as I could without realizing that, regrettably, I might not see some of the people I had known for 16 years when I left the building.
