Tony Stewart is one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history. Coming in with three NASCAR Cup Series championships and 49 victories at the top level, Stewart is actually the 10th-best NASCAR driver in history, according to Sportsnaut.
This does not even include the 51-year-old owner’s NTT IndyCar Series championship that occurred during the 1997 season. However, there is one box on Stewart’s resume that remains unchecked to this day.
Stewart has never won a Daytona 500. The former NASCAR driver has four Cup Series victories at Daytona International Speedway but they are all in the second race at the venue. Due to this fact, the question of whether Stewart would run another Daytona 500 was asked on Tuesday.
Related: NASCAR legend Tony Stewart takes on full-time NHRA drag racing
Tony Stewart says ‘that ship has sailed’ on a potential comeback for the Daytona 500
Stewart is one of many NASCAR Cup Series champions who have never won a Daytona 500. Some of the current champions include Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott.
Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club and seven-time Cup Series champion, returned to the sport for the 2023 NASCAR season. Johnson’s first race since the 2020 season came in last weekend’s Daytona 500. He ran well but a wreck near the conclusion of the event ended his day.
This created the question of whether Stewart would also return to check that box off his list during an NHRA media conference. Stewart had this to say in response to the question.
“I think it’s a very logical question, especially with (Jimmie Johnson) coming back. But for me, that ship has sailed. We talked about maybe trying to do the Bristol Dirt race since I guess deep down inside I’m first a Sprint Car and dirt-track driver before anything else. But again, if it’s a one-off race here or there, what does that do to the rest of the schedule, and is it worth it? I can tell you this — I have zero interest in going and running a Daytona 500. I respect the history of that event. I respect the sport.”
Tony Stewart on potentially running the Daytona 500
It is not surprising as Stewart has been out of NASCAR for over six years. Plus, the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing has been busy with other racing series, such as his full-time ride in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and ownership of the Camping World SRX Series.
The high risk of running superspeedway tracks in the current age of NASCAR is also not worth it. Stewart has been around NASCAR long enough to understand the NextGen cars and the safety concerns surrounding it last season.
As for now, Stewart will enjoy his new ride in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and continue to be an owner throughout many racing series in the United States of America.