The NASCAR fan base has been in buzz ever since Josh Berry was announced as the star replacement for Kevin Harvick, starting the 2024 season. Everyone has this one question in mind – why? Why did Tony Stewart choose Josh Berry, even when he wasn’t bringing any sponsors along? Tony Stewart finally revealed how and why Josh Berry was selected!

It is common to find drivers getting their way into NASCAR through connections or money or sponsorships. But Tony Stewart had a huge problem with that. On a recent Podcast with “NASCAR Live”, Tony shared his 8-word defense on the “Talent vs Money” debate. Let’s see what Tony meant to say!

Tony Stewart Reveals what it takes to be a part of Stewart-Haas Racing and it’s not MONEY!

During the press conference by SHR where Tony Stewart announced Josh Berry as Kevin Harvick’s replacement, we get to hear Tony’s indirect remarks on Richard Childress and Joe Gibbs. He shared this opinion of drivers getting into the team through money, by saying “I’m not interested in some kid’s father coming and buying their way into the Cup Series.” 

A similar remark was seen to be made by Tony during a podcast with “NASCAR Live” when he was asked about the reason for choosing Josh Berry. The owner of Stewart-Haas racing said, “We want guys that. Know what it takes.” This is Tony’s 8-word defense statement against his Richard Childress and Joe Gibbs Outburst during the press conference for Josh Berry’s announcement to be a part of SHR. 

Adding to this, Tony also revealed that the work philosophy of SH racing isn’t like other racing teams, but a totally different one. It’s not money that can get a driver into SHR, but something more than that. 

Giving hints on what it takes to be in his team, Tony said: “We want people that, you know, have had to sit there and work on their own race cars and have had to struggle to do what they do and have worked hard versus some that have had their way paid for and somebody supported them along the way.” 

Read More: Tony Stewart’s Fierce Outburst Exposes Joe Gibbs & Richard Childress’s Questionable Racing Talent

He further added, “And it doesn’t mean they’re not good people, doesn’t mean they’re not good race car drivers. But there’s something about a driver that’s had to dig through the trenches to climb the mountain on their own and not have somebody, you know, grab them by the collar and help pull them up the rest of the way.” 

Talking about the type of racers the team has and the team wants, Tony also stated how every person in their building besides the drivers is not just coming off a college degree. They are racers who have been in motorsports & completely on merit. Coming to Tony’s latest driver selection, fans are curious why Josh was chosen as Harvick’s replacement. Let’s see why!

What role Kevin Harvick played in choosing Josh Berry as his star replacement? 

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During the same NASCAR Live podcast, where Tony Stewart revealed what it takes to be in SHR, he also talked about why Josh Berry was selected to be a part of the team. Steve Post, the host of the show, asked Tony, “You’ve had a huge asset with Kevin Harvick being part of your program. What role did he play in this process to target on Josh Berry?” 

To this Tony revealed that it wasn’t his sole decision to choose Berry, Harvick was of course a part of the decision-making process. In this context, he stated, “Obviously, I mean everybody involved. I mean we don’t, I don’t make a single decision there without the group. I mean we make group decisions. We don’t, no, no one person makes it a big decision at our company and both Rodney and Kevin and Dale Junior, you know to have that support from those guys.”

Further, Tony revealed that Josh was the only guy who had all the checkboxes ticked. The SHR owner said, “I mean he was the one guy that we wanted that we felt like was above and beyond the rest of them and the right fit that”. During the same conversation, Tony also emphasized the importance of finding the right fit. 

He revealed, “I think the right fit is the most important key to this. You can find talented race car drivers, but if you don’t put them with the right people and you don’t have the right group around them, it’s not successful.” 

WATCH THIS STORY | Tony Stewart’s Fierce Outburst Exposes Joe Gibbs & Richard Childress Questionable Racing Talent

So now we know that to be a part of Stewart-Haas racing, a driver doesn’t necessarily have to come through the route of money. If they have talent and are the right fit for the team, Tony will welcome them with open arms, even if money is out of the equation. 

Coming to Josh Berry, he will be starting as a full-time racer from the 2024 season. But since it’s still 2023 and the cup series is going on, who are you going to support this Weekend at Chicago Street Course?