Tony Stewart, a multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and successful car owner, is known for being a candid figure both on and off the track.

Tony Stewart, a multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and successful car owner, is known for being a candid figure both on and off the track.

Tony Stewart, a multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and successful car owner, is known for being a candid figure both on and off the track. Recently, he made headlines not just for his outspoken criticisms of NASCAR, but also for acknowledging his struggles in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) following a challenging period of performance.

### Acknowledging NHRA Struggles

Stewart, who owns a team in the NHRA and competes as a driver in various motorsports disciplines, took a moment to reflect on the challenges his team had faced in drag racing. Despite being a successful competitor and team owner in NASCAR, where he transitioned into a leadership role with Stewart-Haas Racing, his foray into NHRA hasn’t been as smooth.

After facing difficulties in the NHRA, including some disappointing results, Stewart owned up to the team’s struggles. He pointed to the steep learning curve that came with running a team in drag racing, a sport with different nuances, demands, and expectations compared to NASCAR. In a series of candid remarks, Stewart admitted that his team’s performance in NHRA drag racing was not where he had hoped it would be at this point, particularly in comparison to his successes in stock car racing.

“I’ll be the first to admit we’ve had some struggles,” Stewart said. “But it’s a learning process. NHRA is a completely different world compared to NASCAR. The level of engineering and precision required to be competitive in drag racing is just different, and we’re working hard to improve.”

### NASCAR Criticism

Earlier, Stewart made headlines for criticizing NASCAR, something he’s been known to do occasionally over the years. In interviews and comments, he expressed frustration with certain aspects of NASCAR’s direction, particularly with the way the series has handled issues related to driver safety, race formats, and the overall competitiveness of the series.

Stewart’s criticisms come as NASCAR continues to evolve, with new rules and the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022, which has sparked debates about its impact on the racing and the competitiveness of the series. While Stewart acknowledged NASCAR’s efforts to modernize and make the sport more entertaining for fans, he was blunt about his concerns.

“It’s no secret I don’t agree with everything NASCAR has done recently,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t still care about the sport. NASCAR made me who I am today, and I’ll always have a special place for it. But I think they need to listen more to what the drivers and teams have to say.”

### Moving Forward

Despite the struggles in NHRA and his criticisms of NASCAR, Stewart remains one of motorsport’s most influential figures. His team in NHRA is working diligently to get better, and Stewart’s commitment to the sport is clear. He acknowledged that while success in NHRA might take some time, he’s not one to shy away from a challenge.

In the long term, Stewart sees his involvement in multiple racing series, including NASCAR, NHRA, and dirt racing, as a way to grow the sport and stay true to his roots. He expressed optimism that with time, effort, and a willingness to learn, he could improve his NHRA team’s performance and potentially even return to the winner’s circle.

For Stewart, it’s about adapting, learning from his mistakes, and staying true to his love of racing, regardless of the discipline. Whether in NASCAR or NHRA, he continues to embody the mentality of a fierce competitor and passionate advocate for motorsports.