Tony Stewart may be eager for a fresh NASCAR season, but the Hall of Famer made it clear on Tuesday that he will not tolerate subpar results from Stewart-Haas Racing. In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Stewart expressed his hope for a successful season ahead. He emphasized that he should not be held responsible for the team’s poor performance, as he is not the crew chief or engineer and does not dictate the car setups. Stewart-Haas Racing went winless in the Cup Series last season, with Kevin Harvick’s two victories in the summer of 2022 being the team’s last cause for celebration. Harvick was the only driver from the team to make the playoffs in 2023, finishing 13th in the standings. However, despite the recent struggles, Stewart expressed excitement about the energy and enthusiasm brought by the four young drivers in the team. He acknowledged that he initially had reservations about having four young drivers, but their presence has been a pleasant surprise and has invigorated the team during the offseason. With Harvick now retired, only Chase Briscoe among the current drivers has won a race. Josh Berry, a rookie, will take over Harvick’s car, while Noah Gragson will drive the No. 10 car previously driven by Aric Almirola. Ryan Preece will return for his second season with the team. Stewart emphasized that if the team does not start the season strong and achieve the desired results, major changes will be made. He emphasized the need for progress and improvement, as the team cannot accept another two years of poor performance. Stewart acknowledged the struggles the team faced with the new seventh-generation race car introduced in 2022 but urged everyone in the organization to put in the necessary effort to turn things around. He stressed that the team has a history of success and needs to find a way to replicate that success with the current situation. Stewart also addressed the criticism he has faced for his involvement in various business ventures outside of NASCAR. He dismissed the idea that his presence at the track would significantly impact the team’s performance, stating that his role on race weekends is to support and cheerlead. He emphasized that the team’s focus should be on the work done from Monday to Thursday before the cars hit the track. Stewart concluded by expressing his excitement for the upcoming season and the enthusiasm brought by the new young drivers in the team. He acknowledged the loss of Harvick and Almirola but highlighted the energy and excitement displayed by the current drivers and their crews. Overall, Stewart believes that the team has a lot to look forward to in the upcoming season.
