Tony Stewart had a secret weapon up his sleeve for winning championships, and it didn’t have anything to do with his car. In the tense lead-up to the biggest race of the season, Stewart did something that no one would expect: he vanished. With a total media blackout and zero contact with his team, he took a step back from the sport completely, leaving fans and even his own crew wondering—where did he go?

For Stewart, these mysterious disappearances were more than just a break; they were part of a unique ritual that helped him focus when it mattered most. As he chased down three Cup championships, this “vanishing act” became his go-to strategy for blocking out the noise. So what was it about these week-long retreats that made all the difference? Stewart is finally spilling the truth behind those missing days.

The pre-race disappearance of Tony Stewart

For Tony Stewart, NASCAR’s high-stakes world can be consuming, where every race is laced with adrenaline, intensity, and the pressures of living up to expectations. But when it came to chasing his Cup championships, Stewart had a secret formula that some might call unconventional: he vanished. And it wasn’t just a break; it was a total disappearance from the sport’s orbit.

Stewart, a three-time Cup champion, shared his philosophy with Fox Sports about the week leading up to the season’s biggest races. “I think every year was different,” he recalled, describing the unique challenges and energy of each championship season. But there was one approach he stuck to, particularly in those crucial days before the final showdown: disconnecting entirely.

“I was very adamant about going into the last race,” Tony Stewart said. He wanted to “totally disconnect from everything that week.” No media appearances, no shop visits — just a solitary week where he could prepare mentally, without the pressure of constant updates or racing chatter. For Stewart, taking that time to isolate was the key to approaching race day with a clear head and laser focus.

And it wasn’t just about avoiding distractions; it was about staying calm amid the hype. “I didn’t watch the racing shows, I didn’t watch pre-race shows,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to know about anything other than when it was time to get in the race car.” Now that Tony Stewart has decided to leave NASCAR and move to Top Fuel Racing, Denny Hamlin, another team owner, came to talk about the legend’s decision to quit.

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Denny Hamlin’s take on why Tony Stewart is quitting NASCAR

When Tony Stewart announced he’d be leaving NASCAR at the end of 2024, he didn’t hold back on why: it’s tougher than ever for a four-car team to survive in the sport. Stewart-Haas Racing, after 16 years, was feeling the strain of chasing sponsorship deals in an era where big corporate money isn’t as readily available.

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and a strong advocate for team owners’ rights, chimed in on Stewart’s comments. Hamlin, speaking on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, empathized with Stewart’s frustrations. “Back then, companies were lining up to get on a car,” Hamlin said, referring to a time when NASCAR sponsorship was one of the only ways for brands to make a splash.

But today, with social media and digital ads as alternatives, sponsorship dollars are spread thinner than ever. “You can target audiences so many other ways now,” he explained, noting how it’s especially challenging without a big manufacturer’s backing. Unlike years past when a car might carry one sponsor for the season, teams today are piecing together multiple sponsors to stay afloat. “It’s very difficult in this landscape,” Hamlin said, acknowledging that the financial strain on team owners is why “so many owners have had to step away.”

With this Hamlin explained the difficulty of owning a NASCAR team and why Tony Stewart decided to look the other way. What are your thoughts on Tony Stewart leaving NASCAR? Share your thoughts in the comments below.