“In my eyes, it doesn’t mean the same thing now as it did 15-20 years ago. Anybody can win.”
Tony Stewart is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. In 17 attempts, Stewart never won the Daytona 500 but he picked up a best-finish of 2nd in 2004.
The 53-year-old recently sold off his NASCAR Cup Series team and he’s no longer a car owner in the sport. He made the switch to owner/driver in NHRA.
And, even before leaving NASCAR, he wasn’t shy to point out the things that were wrong with the sport. Now, Stewart sees a problem with the famed Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest event.
Tony Stewart says NASCAR industry, “Shot ourselves in our foot”
Tony Stewart talks the Daytona 500
“When it comes to Daytona now and I’m going to get crucified by a lot of people for this,” Tony Stewart opened on the Rubbin is Racing podcast.
“In my eyes, it doesn’t mean the same thing now as it did 15-20 years ago. Anybody can win.”
“I mean, you look at some of the guys that won the Daytona 500. And, I don’t want to go into the list of guys because they’re guys I do respect and have friendships with.”
“But, they’re not guys that should’ve won the Daytona 500. They’ve won the Daytona 500 and that’s all they’ve won. They may have won one or two other races outside of that.”
Stewart retired from NASCAR as a driver following the 2016 season. He has 49 career wins.
Tony Stewart says NASCAR charter agreements are ‘a joke’
