Tony Stewart does not own a team competing in the NASCAR Cup Series anymore, having completely divested his ownership stake in Stewart-Haas Racing following the organization's closure at the end of the 2024 racing season. However, he remains deeply active in motorsports through other racing ventures, including the World of Outlaws sprint car series and the Superstar Racing Experience, while maintaining a legendary legacy as a multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and former team owner.
The Evolution of Stewart-Haas Racing and Ownership Transition
Understanding Tony Stewart’s current team ownership status requires examining the trajectory of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), the organization he co-owned alongside industrialist Gene Haas. Founded initially as Haas CNC Racing in 2002, the team experienced modest success in the back half of the 2000s before undergoing a transformative restructuring ahead of the 2009 season. Tony Stewart, seeking an equity stake and greater control over his racing destiny while still driving full-time in NASCAR, partnered with Gene Haas to form Stewart-Haas Racing.
The partnership immediately yielded high-level performance. Stewart won his third NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2011, making history as the first driver-owner to win the title since Alan Kulwicki in 1992. Over the subsequent decade and a half, SHR expanded into a powerhouse multi-car operation fielding entries for elite drivers like Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Preece. The organization captured numerous races, prestigious crown jewel victories, and a second Cup Series championship with Kevin Harvick in 2014.
Despite its storied history, the economic and operational landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series shifted dramatically in the early 2020s. Rising operational costs, the complexities of the Next Gen car era, and difficulties securing long-term charter value and sponsorship revenue strained mid-tier and multi-car racing organizations alike. Rumors and industry reports regarding the future of SHR intensified throughout the 2023 season, culminating in a definitive announcement in early 2024.
The 2024 Closure and Final Divestment
The definitive turning point for Tony Stewart’s NASCAR team ownership occurred midway through the 2024 Cup Series season. In May 2024, leadership at Stewart-Haas Racing officially announced that the organization would cease operations entirely at the conclusion of the 2024 racing season. This decision involved shutting down all charter operations across both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The dissolution of SHR was not a simple sale of a running enterprise to a single buyer; instead, the team's valuable charters—the guaranteed entry slots for each race—and physical assets were systematically distributed to other organizations. Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing acquired the Cup Series charters, while the Kannapolis, North Carolina-based facility and other equipment were repurposed or sold. When the checkered flag waved on the 2024 season finale at Phoenix Raceway, Stewart-Haas Racing ceased to exist as a competitive entity, and Tony Stewart officially relinquished his role as a NASCAR Cup Series team owner.
| Team Era / Milestone | Years Active | Co-Owners | Key Achievements & Final Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haas CNC Racing | 2002–2008 | Gene Haas | Established foundational infrastructure; modest midfield results. |
| Stewart-Haas Racing (Peak) | 2009–2023 | Tony Stewart, Gene Haas | Won Cup Series Championships (2011, 2014); dozens of race wins. |
| SHR Final Season | 2024 | Tony Stewart, Gene Haas | Scaled down operations; charters sold off; organization dissolved. |
| Post-SHR Era | 2025–Present | Gene Haas (Haas Factory Team) | Stewart holds no ownership stake; Haas retains a single-car operation. |
Comparison of Stewart-Haas Racing vs. Haas Factory Team
To fully clarify current team ownership, it is necessary to distinguish between Stewart-Haas Racing and the racing operations that survived its closure. When SHR wound down its operations, Gene Haas chose to retain a scaled-down presence in the NASCAR Cup Series, establishing a new entity known as the Haas Factory Team for the 2025 season.
Tony Stewart is explicitly not a part of this new enterprise. While Gene Haas maintained a single-car Cup operation and an Xfinity Series presence to preserve certain racing assets, Stewart used this juncture to step away from NASCAR team ownership completely. The table below outlines the core differences between the defunct partnership and current ownership structures.
| Metric | Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) | Haas Factory Team |
|---|---|---|
| Active Status | Defunct (Closed at end of 2024) | Active (Competing in 2025 and 2026) |
| Tony Stewart's Involvement | Co-owner (50% equity stake historically) | None (No ownership or operational role) |
| Gene Haas's Involvement | Co-owner | Sole Owner |
| Peak Cup Series Entries | Up to 4 full-time entries | 1 full-time Cup entry (plus Xfinity program) |
| Primary Focus | Championship contention across multiple cars | Streamlined operations and developmental racing |
Tony Stewart’s Current Motorsports Ventures Outside NASCAR
Stepping away from NASCAR team ownership has not meant a retirement from racing for Tony Stewart. Instead, "Smoke" has redirected his substantial energy, capital, and expertise toward grassroots racing, dirt track sanctioning bodies, and alternative racing series. His footprint across American motorsports remains vast and influential.
World of Outlaws and Sprint Car Ownership
Stewart has long been a passionate advocate for dirt track racing. He is the sole owner of Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), a premier dirt-track organization competing full-time in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) ecosystem. TSR has fielded legendary dirt drivers like Donny Schatz, capturing numerous championships and cementing Stewart's status as a dominant figure in sprint car racing promotion and ownership.
Track Ownership and Promotion
Beyond running teams, Stewart owns and operates Eldora Speedway, a historic half-mile dirt track located in Rossburg, Ohio. Under his stewardship, Eldora has hosted some of the most prestigious dirt track events in the United States, including the Dirt Late Model Dream, the Kings Royal, and historical NASCAR national touring events. His management of Eldora highlights his commitment to preserving traditional short-track racing culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Tony Stewart sell his NASCAR charters?
Yes. When Stewart-Haas Racing wound down its operations at the end of the 2024 season, the team's four Cup Series charters were sold and transferred to other competing organizations, notably Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing. Tony Stewart did not retain any charters or equity in a surviving Cup Series team.
Is Gene Haas still involved in NASCAR?
Yes. Although Stewart-Haas Racing no longer exists, Gene Haas retained a portion of the infrastructure to launch the Haas Factory Team, which competes in the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series. This organization operates independently of Tony Stewart.
Does Tony Stewart drive in NASCAR anymore?
No. Tony Stewart retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition following the 2016 season. While he occasionally makes appearances in other forms of motorsports, such as NHRA drag racing and dirt sprint cars, he no longer drives in NASCAR events.
What is Tony Stewart Racing currently doing?
Tony Stewart Racing focuses primarily on elite-level dirt track competition, fielding entries in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and nitro-class NHRA drag racing, where his wife, Leah Pruett, and multi-time champion Matt Hagan have competed under the TSR banner.
Summary of Next Steps and Verification
For fans and analysts tracking NASCAR ownership structures, verifying team rosters and corporate filings via official outlets like NASCAR.com or team announcements provides the most accurate, up-to-date documentation. Tony Stewart's chapter as a premier NASCAR Cup Series team owner concluded with the finality of the 2024 season, leaving his legacy intact while shifting his professional focus entirely toward grassroots racing, dirt tracks, and drag racing validation.
