Veteran NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace recently shared his thoughts on Tony Stewart’s decision to step away from Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) and the NASCAR series. Wallace, who has long observed the sport’s inner workings, echoed Stewart’s concerns about the role sponsorship plays in the sport’s future.
Stewart, a three-time Cup Series champion and SHR co-owner, recently discussed his departure with Kevin Harvick, attributing it partly to the increasingly fierce competition for sponsorships and NASCAR’s ongoing legal battles.
Stewart’s exit comes amid a lawsuit by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR, challenging what they see as monopolistic practices. This legal standoff has raised eyebrows across the NASCAR community, and Wallace emphasized the disapproval many big sponsors have expressed over the lawsuit.
Wallace commented that “big sponsors don’t like this” situation, specifically noting how major companies are uneasy with the lawsuit filed by NBA legend Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row. He suggested that sponsors are wary of aligning with teams caught in conflict with NASCAR, which could impact future sponsorship opportunities.
The lawsuit centers on the newly proposed charter deal, which NASCAR put forward to streamline team participation in the Cup Series. However, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused to accept the terms, filing an antitrust lawsuit to challenge NASCAR’s authority.
NASCAR recently responded, deeming the teams’ legal claim “meritless” in a motion opposing a preliminary injunction filed by both teams. This clash has highlighted growing tensions between NASCAR’s management and teams who fear their future financial stability and independence may be at stake.
Stewart’s decision to leave NASCAR wasn’t sudden, as he voiced his dissatisfaction with the direction the sport has taken. In his conversation with Harvick, Stewart stated, “It’s not what it used to be.” He expressed concerns over the current state of NASCAR, specifically pointing to the 23XI and Front Row lawsuit, suggesting the sport’s trajectory no longer aligns with his values. He called this “the right time for me to get out,” noting significant changes in NASCAR he no longer feels comfortable supporting.
Currently, Stewart has shifted to drag racing in the NHRA Top Fuel category, where he replaced his wife, Leah Pruett, continuing his racing career outside NASCAR. Meanwhile, SHR will retain one Cup Series and two Xfinity Series entries, carrying forward under Gene Haas’s leadership as Haas Factory Team.
