“I’m Tired of Taking the Blame”- Tony Stewart Delivers a Reality Check to Fans as He Lets Slip SHR Frustrations

Stewart-Haas Racing underwent extensive changes in the off-season. After an indifferent 2023, co-owner Tony Stewart emphasized the need for a change in the dynamics after seeing two veteran drivers depart from the team. Similar to Tony Stewart during his racing days, the SHR driving roster aims to represent an unapologetic and crude brand of racing. However, the one aspect where it still needs to replicate Smoke is the part where it wins races.

SHR’s struggles aren’t a secret to the public. Following the off-season announcements and the fusion of young blood into the garage, Tony Stewart and Co. promised a massive difference in 2024. Looking at how the team’s drivers fared at Saturday’s Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, it is evident that a lot of work needs to be put in. As for Tony Stewart, he has had his fill of taking the blame for his team’s struggles and blew the steam off in a recent conversation with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Despite doing his best, things just haven’t worked out for SHR

Stewart-Haas Racing’s driver roster, in all honesty, is a unique blend of talents. Noah Gragson and Josh Berry might have been new arrivals, but the pair proved their worth in the Xfinity Series and late-model racing earlier. Ryan Preece and Chase Briscoe are the more experienced pilots on the team and have a tenuous off-season schedule. When asked if that is a bunch of drivers that instill optimism in him, Tony Stewart said, “God, I hope so.”

At the 2024 Clash at the Coliseum, Briscoe was SHR’s highest-placed driver at P7 as Preece and Gragson held on to the 11th and 20th place finishes. Josh Berry had a disappointing outing after failing to qualify for the main event. From Tony Stewart’s lens, it is tough to see his team start 2024 similarly to the last two seasons. Stating that he can only do so much in his role, the 3-time Cup Series champion stated,

“We’ve had two miserable years in a row, and I’m tired of taking the blame for everybody (for) why the cars aren’t running (well). I think the fans need a reality check and a reminder that I’m not the crew chief, I’m not the engineer, and I don’t dictate the setups on the cars. I give these guys the tools to do the job and we just haven’t got it done the last couple of years.”

Considering Tony Stewart is the owner, he is accountable for some of it. He is responsible for handling the team’s operations, hiring capable crew members, and more. However, his influence is only up to a certain extent. It is the drivers who have to execute the team’s vision. SHR has been winless since 2022, and according to Stewart, the energy and approach to improving that aspect of the team are spot on. “I’m excited about the energy at the shop,” Stewart claimed.

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“We kind of had a rah-rah meeting, and I will say having four young drivers in the shop, as much as I was really nervous about it, I’m excited about the energy it’s brought to the shop. … Having four young drivers isn’t something I thought I would have, but I will say it’s been a surprise and a shock and a pleasant surprise the energy these guys have brought to the race shop this offseason.”

As Tony Stewart continued his conversation, he shed light on the immense pressure the team is under. Having failed to justify its tag as a powerhouse of NASCAR in the past few years, expectations have begun to mount, and some changes need to be made.

Tony Stewart wants his team to reverse the situation and act on the team’s motto

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Losing a driver of Kevin Harvick‘s caliber is a massive loss for any NASCAR team. Harvick was the team’s ray of hope as a seasoned veteran and a proven winner in the sport. Following his departure, Chase Briscoe is the only SHR driver who knows what winning a Cup Series race feels like. Josh Berry came close to doing that with Hendrick Motorsports last year, but the situation at SHR is quite different.

The current SHR drivers understand how uncharacteristic it is for the team. Reflecting on the same, Tony Stewart disclosed, “Everyone in that building understands what we did the last two years isn’t acceptable anymore, and that’s not the standard this team has been accustomed to.”

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“We’ve got a lot of banners hanging from the ceiling that show we know how to do it right and we’ve got two of those banners that show we know how to do it right for an entire season. So, it’s not that we don’t know how to do it, it’s just a matter of putting it together. Not that they haven’t been working hard before but they are going to have to find something or we’ll find people who will find it. Because we can’t perform at this level. It’s just not acceptable anymore.”

It is great to see the level of urgency within Tony Stewart. The NASCAR Hall of Famer has experienced success throughout his driving career. While his initial days of ownership were rewarding, the past few years have been painfully miserable.