In 2013, Tony Stewart made headlines when he pulled Eldora Speedway from NASCAR’s Truck Series calendar, a move he described as feeling like he’d been “mule-kicked in the gut.” The racing legend and then-owner of Eldora felt blindsided by NASCAR after scheduling decisions were made without properly consulting him. Stewart was particularly frustrated by overlapping events that negatively impacted Eldora’s attendance and profitability. For Stewart, Eldora wasn’t just another dirt track—it was a historic venue with a passionate fanbase and a unique racing identity. His decision to pull the track from NASCAR wasn’t made lightly, but it reflected his deep respect for the sport and his unwillingness to see Eldora’s legacy compromised.
Despite his long-standing relationship with NASCAR and his role as co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, Stewart prioritized Eldora’s integrity over business interests. Since then, the Ohio-based speedway has not hosted another NASCAR event, and the void left behind is still felt by dirt racing fans across the country. Now, with Stewart-Haas Racing officially dissolved and Stewart shifting his focus to NHRA drag racing alongside his wife Leah Pruett, that chapter feels even more distant. Yet, hope persists among fans that NASCAR and Eldora might one day reunite. Stewart’s decision remains a defining moment in his career—one where he chose principles over politics, passion over promotion. The story serves as a stark reminder of the complexities behind racing’s biggest stages and the personal convictions that sometimes steer its legends.
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