If someone were to argue that NASCAR drivers are elite athletes, they would also concede that Tony Stewart did little to drive the argument home. The former NASCAR driver struggled with weight issues throughout his early career. Despite being a highly skilled and successful driver, it was his penchant for indulging in unhealthy foods and a lack of discipline when it came to exercise. However, somewhere during the 2006 season, something snapped in him.

Unlike many of his peers, Stewart used to not bother much about following strict fitness regimes. But in 2006, he was suddenly seen working toward his health. It was during an interview that same year that Smoke gave the reason behind his transformation attempt. The reason might have had to do with something that the NASCAR great Jimmie Johnson had said.

Talking about Stewart, the Hendrick Motorsports legend said, “I think Tony may be one of the few guys left that hasn’t been working on training. If you go to a Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, Carl Edwards, obviously, myself. There’s a lot of guys that have been doing it.”

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Despite not being in the best of shapes, Stewart was incredibly good on the track. He never bothered about his health, until that very year. His decision to get himself a trainer to work out with him every day was surprising for many. He also started regulating his diet and even invested around $20,000 in workout equipment to train himself.

What pushed Tony Stewart into changing himself?

When Stewart was asked what led him to implement such drastic changes in his discipline, he had his own set of arguments regarding it. He probably did not mind what others had to say about him. Rather, his decision was a result of reflection over time as he felt he had started aging. He reasoned that when one is in their 30s, most of the opponents are going to be younger people coming up the ladder. Competing with the young guns, while not being physically fit, is really hard.

During a 2006 interview with The New York Times, the then-two-time Cup Series champion said, “We’re racing against 20-year-old guys. I’m 35 now. That doesn’t mean I’m old. But if I’m going to race with these guys and race Saturday and Sunday, I’ve got to take care of myself. I think it was just a matter: I’m not in the shape that I used to be. It’s not getting better, it’s getting worse. It’s time to head it off at the pass and get it going in the other direction.”

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We can still see the effects of Stewart’s regime at present. At 51 years old, Stewart would thank his younger self for making the decision to begin fitness training. Even now he hasn’t given up racing and his physical fitness contributes majorly towards that.