
via Getty
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – JUNE 18: Tony Stewart looks on during the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience event at Five Flags Speedway on June 18, 2022 in Pensacola, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/SRX/Getty Images)

via Getty
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – JUNE 18: Tony Stewart looks on during the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience event at Five Flags Speedway on June 18, 2022 in Pensacola, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/SRX/Getty Images)
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
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.

via Getty
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 25: SRX driver Tony Stewart poses for a photo during the Superstar Racing Experience portrait shoot at Clutch Studios on April 25, 2023 in Huntersville, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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.
Trending
What’s your perspective on:
Is the financial strain in NASCAR forcing legends like Tony Stewart to seek new horizons?
Have an interesting take?
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
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.”

via Getty
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 22: NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart looks on from the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Contender Boats 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 22, 2022 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Is the financial strain in NASCAR forcing legends like Tony Stewart to seek new horizons?