Tony Stewart reveals how he balances young and veteran talent as a NASCAR team owner

As a team owner, Tony Stewart has a hard job when it comes to filling out his roster. Do you go with the young guy or the veteran with experience? NASCAR is a sport that features drivers as young as 20 years old, to drivers more than twice that age. Talent versus results, experience versus sponsorship opportunities – it is never an easy decision.

This week on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Tony Stewart talked about making those decisions. Recently, Stewart-Haas Racing signed Josh Berry to replace Kevin Harvick in 2024 and beyond.

Smoke gave a little insight into the decision.

“We don’t always have that choice, unfortunately,” Stewart said. “You know, sometimes you have to look at what’s available. There’s different drivers – not everybody’s contracts are up every season at the end of the year and have the ability to make changes. And then there’s drivers that are happy where they are as well. “So, you literally have to look at who’s available, who’s up and coming, who’s running through the Ford program on the development side and you try to make your best choice – not just off what they do behind the steering wheel but how they fit with your program.

“Are they going to fit with the rest of your guys? Are they going to fit with your crew chiefs? You have to find somebody that – you have to keep that Kevin Harvick mentality in mind. You have to have somebody that ultimately at the end of the day has to have his role of leadership and be a part of that. So, it’s not always a choice, the veteran versus rookie, it’s sometimes what’s available, and who’s available, and what we think is the best fit out of the options that are out there.”

How does a team owner balance cultivating young talent while maintaining a veteran presence when searching for a new driver?@TonyStewart weighs in ⬇️

🗣️ “You try and make your best choice not just off of what they do behind the steering wheel, but how they fit your program.” pic.twitter.com/yI2db6VbB1

— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) August 3, 2023

Tony Stewart wanted a driver, not a piggy bank

When the news was made official at Stewart-Haas Racing earlier this summer, Tony Stewart made it clear – he wanted a driver, not someone that wanted to buy a seat. The way he put it, “I’m not interested in some kid’s father coming in and buying their way into a Cup Series ride.” Strong words.

So, Smoke and the folks at SHR went with Berry.

“We want guys that earn their way. That work hard, that understand the values that it takes to be a top-tier driver. Not one that just got his high school diploma and now all of a sudden he’s a Cup driver.”

While Berry is new to NASCAR in many ways, he has a long racing history. The 32-year-old was fine being the local short-track legend. He raced where and when he could. Eventually, it paid off when Dale Jr. noticed him and gave him a shot. Now, he’s on his way to the Cup Series.

Tony Stewart knew what he wanted and he went out and got his driver. Now he’ll see if the talent can bring the sponsors.