Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has delivered a scathing assessment of the sport's current direction, stating that NASCAR has lost touch with its fan base and calling for a major leadership shake-up.
Stewart, who retired from full-time competition in 2016 and now co-owns Stewart-Haas Racing, made the comments in a recent interview. The Hall of Fame driver argued that decisions from NASCAR's front office have alienated the core audience that built the sport's popularity.
"They've lost touch with what made this sport great," Stewart said, according to reports. "The fans are the reason we're here, and they're being ignored."
The 53-year-old Indiana native did not specify particular policy decisions but emphasized that structural changes at the leadership level are necessary to reconnect with the sport's traditional following. Stewart's critique carries weight given his status as one of NASCAR's most successful and outspoken figures, with 62 Cup Series victories and championships in 2002, 2005, and 2011.
NASCAR has not issued a formal response to Stewart's remarks. The series has undergone significant changes in recent years, including the introduction of the Next Gen car, a revised playoff format, and media rights negotiations that have shifted broadcast partnerships.
