For decades, Tony Stewart was NASCAR’s quintessential bad boy—a driver as famous for his fiery outbursts and heated rivalries as well as his championship-winning talent. From pit-road shoving matches to microphone-roasting tirades, “Smoke” built a reputation as a man who didn’t back down, whether on or off the track. Much like his close friend Kevin Harvick, who once embraced the nickname “Hacky Harvick” for his own contentious antics, Stewart seemed destined to remain the sport’s heel.

But even the most hardened personas can shift. In a recent interview with Mighty Mack, Stewart dropped a bombshell: he’s ready to shed his “bad boy” image. While some of this transformation was spurred by becoming a father, Stewart revealed that his desire to change had taken root well before his son’s arrival. The evolution of Smoke might just be his most unexpected lap yet.

From fighter to father: ‘Smoke’ reflects on his “Bad Boy” days

When asked by Mighty Mack if fatherhood has inspired him to rethink his legendary temper, Stewart’s response was both candid and introspective. “Well, I wanted to change that just for myself before Dominic came here,” he explained, referencing his newborn son. “Now that my son’s here, it’s… yeah, I think it has a lot of the same feelings Kevin had. The things we do are the things our kids are going to see us do.”

Stewart’s reflections drew immediate comparisons to Kevin Harvick, whose transformation from “Hacky” to “family man” became a focal point in a recent documentary, ‘I Am Kevin Harvick‘. Harvick famously toned down his brash behavior after considering how his son, Keelan, might view those moments years later. One of Harvick’s most iconic brawls was in 2002 at Bristol with Greg Biffle. Recounting that incident on NASCAR on Fox in 2024, Harvick said, “I had a lot of bad influences around me at that time that would egg me on to do stuff like this.” He can be seen jumping over a car and getting into an altercation with Biffle in pit lane.

Similarly, Stewart admitted he’s thought about how his past might shape his son Dominic’s perception of him. “There are things that are already out there that you can’t erase. You can’t take them back, and you can’t change it. It’s part of the history. But the important thing for me as a father now is to sit there and explain to him why that wasn’t the right thing to do,” Stewart said.

For fans, Stewart’s history as NASCAR’s tempestuous star is well-documented. From his infamous pit-road altercation with Joey Logano at Auto Club Speedway in 2013 to his biting critique of NASCAR officials after a massive wreck at Talladega in 2012, Stewart has never shied away from conflict. His run-ins with Jeff Gordon, Brian Vickers, and Matt Kenseth further solidified his place as one of NASCAR’s most polarizing figures. Yet, even as he recounts those moments, Stewart acknowledged a growing discomfort with the legacy they’ve created.

“I’ve met some people in the last year or two that I’d had encounters with in the past,” Stewart shared. “Listening to their stories made me sit there and go, ‘Man, I hate that I made somebody feel that way.’” While he’s proud of his accomplishments as a driver and team owner, Stewart now emphasizes a more personal goal: “I want to be a good person and a good father at this point too.”

A new chapter: Balancing racing, parenthood, and legacy

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Tony Stewart’s personal transformation coincides with a significant milestone in his life: the birth of his son, Dominic James, on November 17, 2024. The timing could not have been more dramatic. Stewart was in Pomona, California, preparing for the NHRA Finals when his wife, Leah Pruett, went into labor in Phoenix. Undeterred, Stewart flew to witness Dominic’s arrival and then returned just hours later to compete in the race.

“I don’t care what happens. I won at 4:43 this morning when Leah gave birth to our son,” Stewart declared after his first-round win. “She’s a way stronger woman than I am a man. I’m proud of her and love her so much for what she’s done.”

Pruett, a professional drag racer herself, has also found her life transformed by motherhood. She recently shared her decision to put racing on hold, stating, “I want to do the best job I can being a mom before I can get back in that seat.” Stewart, meanwhile, has taken over some of Pruett’s responsibilities at Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), balancing his roles as a racer, team owner, and now, father.

For Tony Stewart, Dominic’s arrival has brought clarity to his priorities. While he’s still passionate about racing, he’s equally committed to being present for his family. This shift mirrors the journey of Harvick, who cited his family as a driving force behind his decision to dial back his aggressive reputation.

Stewart’s evolution also reflects his growing self-awareness. While acknowledging that he’s not perfect, he’s determined to lead by example. “It’s a work in progress,” he admitted. “I still get frustrated and mad at times. But then there’s the occasional person that shows up and wants to try to put you in that position… It’s about controlling how I act with myself.”

As he steps into this new chapter, Stewart’s journey offers a powerful narrative of redemption and growth. Like Harvick before him, he’s learning that sometimes, the most important race is the one to be the best version of yourself—for your family, your fans, and your future.