Tony Stewart has soaked the spirit of racing like none other. The 3-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is one of American motorsports’ most versatile race car drivers. To this day, he holds the incredible feat of being the only driver to win the IndyCar and Cup Series championships. However, when one chances upon this remarkable achievement, one would wonder what forced him to move away from IndyCar before his prime.

Considering his repertoire boasts titles in the USAC National Midget Series, IROC, and USAC Triple Crown, one might attribute a shift to NASCAR as a natural diversion in Tony Stewart’s attention. But the Stewart-Haas Racing owner has revealed why he opted out of racing in IndyCar in a HOT ROD Pod podcast conversation.

Tony Stewart knew he was at a disadvantage in IndyCar

In various motorsports, racing teams demand that drivers be cautious about their fitness and keep close tabs on it. However, Tony Stewart has never been too fond of it. With a diverse palette of racing and success in different racing disciplines, his credentials as a race car driver doesn’t need underlining. Owing to the same, he had the liberty to choose NASCAR ahead of IndyCar after a peculiar situation presented itself. Apparently, Stewart exceeded the weight limit required in the division.

The problem was, you know, in the early 2000s, drivers weren’t any heavier than 165 pounds. I weighed almost 190. I’m not going on a diet to lose 25 lbs just to run the Indy 500. That literally was one of the deciding factors.”

Further discussing another disadvantage, Smoke revealed how his sparse appearances in IndyCar were eventually going to hinder his performanbces. “Honestly, I respect Indy Car so much, and I was going to be at a disadvantage out of the gate because it’s just that technical in every form of motorsports that if you’re not doing it all the time, you’re going to be behind.“

Despite the deterring factor for him in IndyCar, he continues to appreciate the vision it has created for American motorsports. His love for trying out different cars has continued growing, and he has transitioned into a team owner with that flow. Recently, the 52-year-old also announced his foray into NHRA Top Fuel as a full-time driver next year.

From the numerous forms of racing he has tried his hand in, his impact was undoubtedly the highest in NASCAR. However, Tony Stewart also made a shocking revelation about denying an opportunity from NASCAR Hall of Famer and winningest team owner Rick Hendrick.

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In 1996, Tony Stewart was aiming to make headways into the NASCAR scene. Starting his initial races in the Busch Series alongside Indy Racing League races was a busy phase in life for the NASCAR legend. On a fateful day, he received a phone call from Rick Hendrick to avail his services for the #25 Chevrolet. Alongside Mr Hendrick’s call, he received one more, albeit from another famous team owner.

“Back in ’96, when I ran my first season with IRL and started in Busch Series in NASCAR at the end of that year, I got hurt. I was literally recuperating at my mom’s house, and I got calls from Rick Hendrick to drive the 25 Cup car, and I also got a call from Barry Green from team Cool Green to run the Indy car in the Indy Car series, and I turned both of those down,” revealed Stewart.

One may be forced to think about the possible reason for a racing and competition fanatic like Tony Stewart to turn down an offer of this scale. Revealing how he wanted himself to be absolutely ready for a new path and not take premature decisions, Tony disclosed,

“I was like, ‘I’m not ready for that’, and my theory was, ‘You work your whole life to climb that ladder, and it’s one step at a time; nobody’s jumping steps. When you get to that second to last step, you better make sure when you take that step you’re ready for it’. I knew I wasn’t ready, I just didn’t have enough time yet.”

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Tony Stewart has been through various racing circuits in his career, so he has collected experiences from all of them. His anecdotes reveal the versatility of a true legend of American motorsports.