"We've dedicated our lives to putting back everything I've made": $90M-worth Tony Stewart shares emotional thoughts on TSR's 25-year journey

Three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Tony Stewart, reflected on the 24 years of his racing company and his first season as a rookie in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing series. The $90 million-worth Stewart, while being interviewed for podcast Behind The Catch Fence, spoke about what it has meant to him to be going into the 25th anniversary season for his team, and also about how it is only a stepping point for their journey.

Talking to the podcast after a 25th anniversary celebration for Tony Stewart Racing, the 49-time Cup Series race winner said:

"We have spent and dedicated our whole life to putting everything back that I've made in Motorsports [...] and continuing the legacy" [1:28 - 1:35]

The 53-year-old also spoke about how celebrating this 25th Anniversary has given them a moment to look back:

"Coming into a 25th anniversary season really forced us to a certain degree to stop for just a small moment and and look over our shoulder, and look in the past and look at what we've done as an organization." [0:44 - 0:55]

In the interview, Tony Stewart also spoke about his first season in the NHRA, where he was honoured with the Rookie of the Year award. He took the spot of his wife, Leah Pruett, in the Top Fuel class of drag racing, after she stepped away from driving duties so that the couple could focus on having a family. Speaking about his success racing first time in the NHRA, Stewart said:

"Having Leah and Matt [Hagan] as coaches [...] I had all the resources available to me to have a successful rookie season [...] with those guys’ help I got comfortable very quick." [4:35]

The NASCAR Hall-of-famer finished the 2024 NHRA Season 9th in the standings, accumulating 2325 points in the Top Fuel class of racing.

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Tony Stewart focusing on being a father in the off-season

Later on in the same interview, Tony was asked about what he plans on focusing on in the off-season, and his response was straightforward:

“As a driver I'm putting driving on hold for the winter, I'm just excited about being a dad right now” [6:05 - 6:11]

Tony Stewart and wife Pruett welcomed a baby boy, Dominic James, in November this year. Leah, who stepped away from Top Fuel racing to start a family with Stewart has not confirmed her return to racing yet, she said (via People Magazine):

"Tony thought for sure I was getting back in the seat in 2025. But my gut, myself, I know that I'm going to want to do the best job I can being a mom before I can get back in that seat."

Leah Pruett will continue to be a part of the TSR drag racing team behind-the-scenes when Tony Stewart returns to race in the 2025 season.