Tony Stewart hints at next sacking amid NASCAR leadership shakeup

Tony Stewart isn’t mincing words about NASCAR’s latest leadership overhaul. The three-time Cup champion and outspoken Hall of Famer says the sport needs one more big change at the top, even as NASCAR rolls out a fresh executive leadership team built around new CEO Steve O’Donnell.

The timing feels like classic NASCAR drama. Just days after the organization announced a broader executive structure on April 30, Stewart lit up the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast with blunt opinions that have fans buzzing.

NASCAR made the moves official in late April. Jim France stepped back from the CEO role he’d held since 2018 (while staying on as Chairman), handing the keys to Steve O’Donnell. He became the first person outside the France family to hold the top job in the organization’s 78-year history. Ben Kennedy, a fourth-generation member of the France family, was elevated to Chief Operating Officer.

On April 30, the sanctioning body filled out the rest of the bench. The executive leadership team mainly includes Ben Kennedy, the COO. Tim Clark, Brian Herbst, Amanda Oliver, Scott Prime, Greg Motto, and Ed Bennett are filling in as executive vice presidents. NASCAR framed the whole thing as a step toward “sustained growth, industry collaboration, and continued innovation.” It’s a slick corporate lineup designed to project stability after months of turbulence.

1. Why Tony Stewart Thinks It’s Not Enough

Stewart, never one to read from the company script, went straight for the jugular on the podcast. “They need to make another CEO change, in my opinion,” he said, referring to O’Donnell. He tied it back to the antitrust lawsuit fallout that led to former commissioner Steve Phelps’ resignation in January and the public release of some unflattering text messages. “Obviously, Steve Phelps stepped down, Jim stepped down now. You know, they both were great for the sport, but obviously, there were a lot of things that came out during the lawsuit that showed people’s true colors, and it showed some, it didn’t show all of them. But even in Steve’s case here, in the new Steve’s [O’Donnell] case, he probably needs to be the next one.”

2. The Backstory: Lawsuits, Texts, and Lingering Frustrations

To understand why this feels heavier than a typical corporate reshuffle, you have to rewind to the antitrust drama involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The settlement and discovery process dragged some internal NASCAR communications into the daylight. Phelps’ exit followed. Jim France’s decision to step away from day-to-day CEO duties came next. Stewart clearly believes the housecleaning isn’t finished. His frustration echoes sentiments he’s voiced before about NASCAR leadership being tone-deaf to competitors’ concerns. During the same podcast, he revisited a mid-2010s meeting where roughly 20 top drivers presented five ideas they believed would improve the sport. According to Stewart, NASCAR executives shot them all down. “That was the moment, when I left that meeting, that I decided I was working on a retirement plan.” That story hits different now. It paints Stewart as someone who’s been pushing for meaningful evolution for over a decade, only to feel dismissed. His recent one-off Truck Series appearance at Daytona with Kaulig Racing and Ram showed he still loves being around the action. Rumors of another run, maybe even teaming with Kevin Harvick, keep the “will he or won’t he” chatter alive. On paper, the new executive group looks experienced. O’Donnell comes in with a track record that NASCAR hopes will translate into fresh energy. Kennedy’s expanded role puts a France family face in charge of competition alongside track operations. The addition of specialists in brand, media revenue, legal, strategy, finance, and people operations suggests NASCAR is serious about treating this like a modern entertainment and sports business rather than just a racing sanctioning body. In an era where streaming deals, international growth, and sponsorship innovation matter as much as on-track rules packages, that matters. Still, structure only gets you so far. Fans and insiders will be watching to see whether this team actually listens to drivers, teams, and stakeholders better than the previous regime did.

3. Reactions and Broader Implications

Social media lit up after Stewart’s comments, with plenty of fans praising his candor (“Truth teller Tony!”) and others wondering if he’s being too harsh on people trying to move the sport forward. Some suggested wild alternatives like Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Mark Martin stepping into bigger roles. For NASCAR, the stakes are real. The sport has enjoyed strong attendance and viewership in recent seasons, but challenges remain—charter negotiations, Next Gen car tweaks, attracting younger fans, and keeping manufacturers happy. A leadership team perceived as disconnected could slow momentum. Stewart’s willingness to speak his mind also highlights something refreshing in a sport that sometimes plays it too safe publicly. Love him or disagree with him, he’s authentic. That authenticity built him a massive fanbase during his driving days and keeps him relevant today. NASCAR’s new executive crew will get its first real tests in the coming months. It is managing the rest of the 2026 season, playoff format discussions, and whatever charter or rules battles lie ahead. How they handle driver and team input will be the true measure of whether this shakeup delivers change or just new titles on business cards. As for Stewart? Don’t be surprised if he pops up in another Truck race or keeps dropping truth bombs on the podcast. At 54, he’s enjoying life on his terms—racing when he wants, calling it as he sees it, and occasionally reminding everone he’s still got plenty of fire left.

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