In NASCAR, there are few things that are as closely watched as team dynamics and ownership decisions. While we often see the stars, the cars, and the headlines, the behind-the-scenes action can be just as dramatic—if not more so. But when it comes to Tony Stewart, how does his leadership style impact the people around him? What’s the real story behind Stewart-Haas Racing’s rise—and perhaps, some of its internal struggles?
Joel Edmonds, a familiar voice for fans of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, just dropped a bombshell during his recent appearance in Phoenix. As the conversation turned toward SHR and Tony Stewart’s influence, Edmonds didn’t hold back. His reflections on his time working under Stewart, give a rare glimpse into the challenges within the team that fans don’t usually get to see.
The reality of Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Ownership
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Edmonds has been in NASCAR for a long time. He started in the sport back in 1991 and hasn’t looked back since. After leaving Roush Fenway Racing in 2015, he teamed up with Stewart-Haas Racing, working as a spotter for Aric Almirola. His duties as a spotter saw him work with drivers such as Cole Custer as well as Chase Briscoe, both big names in the SHR camp.
During the podcast, Edmonds shared his perspective on the leadership shift at SHR, reflecting on his eight years with the team. He pointed out that while many of his colleagues were transitioning to different teams, a lot of people were still hanging on to the Custer deal. But it was his comments about Tony Stewart that really got attention. “I saw Tony was there. Like, as soon as they won, he was hugging the crew guys and all that, which is kind of—a—I mean, I’m not taking a shot at him, but it’s kind of a slap in the face, you know? I was there six years. I don’t know how many times I saw the guy,” Edmonds said.
For Edmonds, there was a clear frustration that goes beyond just the wins and losses as he shared on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. “You’ve got to be present to win, and it’s not his fault for shutting down, probably,” he continued. It’s an insight that shows just how critical presence is in a sport that demands so much from its teams, and how Tony Stewart’s occasional absence left an impact on those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
via Imago NASCAR legend Tony Stewart | Image Credits: Imago
Edmonds continued, recalling a poignant moment when Stewart was actually present for a race: “My first year, he was around a lot. The day my mom was having hip surgery in Charlotte, we were at the Roval, and he stood beside me that whole race at the Roval on the spotter stand.” Despite this rare moment of connection, Edmonds emphasized that, ultimately, it was the absence that weighed heavier. “I think you got there when he got sick of it. Yeah, well, and I understand the getting sick of it part because there are so many things that are not like they’re supposed to be.”
In the last few years, Tony Stewart gradually reduced involvement in NASCAR. While he continued as team-owner after retirement, Stewart found an interest in the NHRA, a league where his wife Leah Pruett races in a team the couple owns. When Pruett announced her pregnancy, she revealed it would be Tony Stewart taking over the reins of her drag car as he competed in a different motorsport. It meant Stewart had less time to give to SHR, especially with the prospect of starting a family and taking on a new role in racing.
This rare, unfiltered take from a former SHR employee offers a look at the complicated dynamics of Tony Stewart’s role at SHR. While fans might see the victories and the headlines, the reality behind the curtain is far more layered. It’s a story of leadership, challenges, and, perhaps, a few missed opportunities.
Why Stewart Haas Racing did not work out
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Stewart-Haas Racing, once a powerhouse in NASCAR, is calling it quits after the 2024 season. After nearly 15 years, the organization is facing a tough decision. Stewart and Haas announced that the team would shut down, citing the intense commitment required for success in NASCAR and the challenges they’re facing in the Next Gen era.
SHR has struggled to keep up with the giants like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports in recent years. After the retirements of key figures like Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Clint Bowyer, the team has been working through a rough patch. Last year only one SHR driver made the playoffs, and there’s been a noticeable lack of on-track success. This slump has been paired with dwindling off-track support, as corporate sponsors have shifted their allegiances, with Smithfield pulling out of NASCAR entirely and Anheuser-Busch backing Trackhouse Racing instead.
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On top of that, SHR’s partnership with Ford is coming to an end, further complicating things. As for Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, both have their focus elsewhere. Haas has been heavily invested in Formula One, while Tony Stewart has spent more time with his NHRA team, where his wife even drove for him last year. With the demands of running SHR weighing on them and their personal and business interests shifting, they decided it was time to step away and let someone else take the reins.
Are you a Stewart Haas Racing fan who is saddened by the news of them disbanding? Share your thoughts on this in the comments below.