SHR co-owner Tony Stewart wants NASCAR to host a Cup race at his dirt track

Tony Stewart says he and his team would go above and beyond to make the Cup race at his Eldora dirt track a huge event if given the opportunity.

SHR co-owner Tony Stewart wants NASCAR to host a Cup race at his dirt track

Tony Stewart (Credits: The Spun)

Tony Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, revealed that he wants his track, Eldora, to host a Cup race. In 2021, he was upset when NASCAR Cup Series raced on dirt for the first time since September 30, 1970, in East Tennessee at Bristol Motor Speedway. He felt let down by the sport as the dirt race was not offered to Eldora Speedway, a track in Rossburg, Ohio, which he owns.  He even withdrew Eldora Speedway from the NASCAR Truck Series schedule that season. 

In January 2021, Tony Stewart spoke to the Associated Press regarding this subject. He felt that he and his staff did plenty of work to show NASCAR they could pull off an event like that in modern times. However, he felt disappointed as NASCAR did not speak about a Cup Series date even after all the legwork he and his team did. Stewart revealed that he decided to pull Eldora off the Truck Series that year. He also admitted his frustration with NASCAR, as there was zero communication regarding Cup on dirt until Bristol was announced. 

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In the 2023 season, Tony Stewart still hopes for a Cup race in his track. He claims his facility can host any event, including the most prestigious NASCAR Cup Series. As Bristol Motor Speedway is most likely to lose its dirt track in 2024, Stewart mentioned that he would like to have an opportunity to host the Cup race at Eldora Speedway. 

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Tony Stewart claims he would do anything for NASCAR to host a Cup race at his track

Tony Stewart (Credit: Penn Live)
Tony Stewart (Credit: Penn Live)

The 52-year-old said, “Yeah, and I have been from day one. We were offered the chance to keep the Truck Series race and I turned it down because I felt we worked hard and went through all the learning curves and growing pains in having a dirt race.”

Stewart added, “I understand the reasons we were told why they went to Bristol with it. But my feelings are that we would go above and beyond anything we’re already doing now, do more than we already do to make sure it would be a huge event.” The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is eager to have an opportunity to discuss this subject with the NASCAR officials. 

Tony Stewart believes the decision to host a Cup race at Eldora Speedway is in NASCAR’s hands. However, he is interested in the conversation and hopes it will happen. He is still focusing on developing his dirt track facility to host various events related to motorsports or others. This shows that he is serious about it and means business. Only time will tell if NASCAR chooses to race in his dirt track next season. 

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