"NHRA must be really expensive": Fans react as Tony Stewart closes his foundation following SHR announcement earlier this year

Tony Stewart, retired three-time Cup Series champion, has announced the closure of the Tony Stewart Foundation, a charity founded in 2003 that donates to well-qualified organizations that provide outstanding services and programs. The announcement has sparked interesting comments from social media.

In an X post, the NASCAR on Reddit account shared a link with the news that Stewart was shutting down his foundation.

This led to many fans wondering what's been going on financially with the 53-year-old, who announced the closure of his NASCAR team, Stewart-Haas Racing, at the end of the 2024 season as well. One user suggested Stewart's participation in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has become too costly, writing:

"NHRA must be really expensive."

"Is nhra really that expensive?" said another.

One user questioned whether or not the Indiana native might be in financial trouble, as they said:

"This dude broke? Sold his house, race team, and now closes a non profit. Dude is broke or close to it."

A user replied to that comment suggesting that Stewart may end up selling Eldora Speedway, an Ohio dirt track owned by him, in the near future.

"If he sells eldora soon don't be surprised," the user wrote.

Tony Stewart and his wife, Leah Pruett, are expecting a newborn baby boy soon. This led one user insinuating that him shutting down his foundation is in large part due to him wanting to focus on starting a family.

"I’m pretty sure he’s about to have kids with Leah Pruett, so I’m not surprised. Family first!" they wrote.

On the front page of the Tony Stewart Foundation website reads a statement regarding the closure of the organization. The statement says that with heavy hearts it announces the closure of the foundation at the end of the year.

"We understand the need is still present and growing. That’s why we are counting on you, our partners and loyal supporters to keep up the fight. We thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for what you do and will continue to do. We will be cheering you on! Thank you for being such an important part of our work over the last 20 years."

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Stewart-Haas Racing closing its doors at the end of 2024

Stewart-Haas Racing will end a 16-year run in NASCAR competition at the end of 2024 as it shuts its doors with four Cup Series teams and two Xfinity Series teams. The organization has won three championships, two in the Cup Series with Tony Stewart in 2011 and Kevin Harvick in 2014, and one in the Xfinity Series with Cole Custer in 2023.

Stewart-Haas Racing won the 2017 Daytona 500 with Kurt Busch. While he never won it as a driver, Stewart won the 500 as an owner in his first year after retiring from full-time racing in the Cup Series in 2016.

The Tony Stewart-led team still has a shot to win a championship in the Cup Series with Chase Briscoe as he remains alive in the Round of 12 of the playoffs. Custer and Riley Herbst, meanwhile, remain in the Xfinity Series playoffs as they both look to advance to the Round of 8 over the next two races.