A towering figure in the world of NASCAR, Tony Stewart stands as a legend whose influence stretches far beyond the racetrack. ‘Smoke’ personifies the heart and soul of NASCAR as his triumphant record of three Cup Series championships not only cements his status as a driving force but also positions him as an unrivaled authority and celebrity in the paddock. 

Recently, Stewart’s appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ sounded a poignant alarm. It spotlighted a growing apprehension within the NASCAR community – that efforts to appease a younger audience might inadvertently dismantle the very essence that defines this sport.

Tony Stewart’s concerns about younger drivers impacting the sport

During the show, Stewart highlighted the decline in NASCAR’s celebrity status and attributed it to the younger age of drivers entering the sport. He pointed out the difficulty older generations have in connecting with teenagers racing in high-profile events and questioned the logic of placing 18-year-olds in prominent roles and expecting broad fan support. 

“So why are we putting 18-year-olds in these cars and expecting the fans to support them as their favorites? The kid just got his damn diploma; he doesn’t have life experiences”

Citing the lack of life experiences and safety concerns, he criticized the trend of putting teenagers in the driver’s seat. Stewart argued that this trend deprived drivers of valuable life experiences and raised concerns about prioritizing youth over experience in NASCAR’s attempt to stay competitive amidst the rise of F1, IndyCar, and NHRA.

Read more: Kyle Larson’s Near-Death Experience Involving Tony Stewart’s Racing Sensation Forces NASCAR’s Hand

“We now have 14-year-old and 12-year-old kids trying to drive sprint cars, and I’m like, ‘What are we doing?’ Not only that, but think about the safety side of it. A 12-year-old’s body is not mature; it’s still growing and developing.” he added.

Kyle Larson’s exceptional rise challenges Stewart’s youthfulness stance in NASCAR

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While Tony Stewart’s robust opinions about the youthfulness of NASCAR drivers hold true, there seems to be an exception that challenges his stance. The 2021 Cup Series champion impressed Stewart when he was a mere 19-year-old. Kyle Larson is one of only 2 drivers in the history of the 4-Crown Nationals to sweep all three USAC events in one night. Watching Kyle Larson dominate this challenging event led Stewart to make a bold statement: “Kyle Larson is better than I was.” Stewart firmly stood by this belief, recalling Larson’s awe-inspiring performance across various racing categories that night.

“I remember watching him during the first time he ran the 4-Crown Nationals, and won all three races, in his first time racing here. This isn’t the easiest place to come to for your first time and for him to take a Midget, and a Sprint Car, and a Silver Crown and just dominate in the fashion that he did” Stewart remarked.

WATCH THIS STORY: Hall Of Famer Believes Kyle Larson Will Be Run Over If He Continues On This Path

Nevertheless, amidst the surge of young drivers, Stewart’s cautionary remarks hold weight. NASCAR’s marketing direction’s potential impact remains to be seen as only time will reveal whether these efforts could backfire.