CBS Sports: You speak about winning and the given name that enters your mind is Helio Castroneves, who you contributed to the SRX Racing lineup, thats happening next summer on CBS. How fired up are you for the lineup that you currently have?
Stewart: “When we began this we desired to choose people that, I think for me it was kind of like a dream list of people that who would I truly ultimately enjoy to race with. Up until now everyone that weve sent out invites to has accepted.
” We know what we desire these cars to feel like. When you can bring the talent in to drive these automobiles that were going to bring in, we know what we feel like is going to put on great races and. I want these chauffeurs to have a good time driving the automobiles but I think were going to have the ability to place on a terrific race for fans.”.
Stewart: “Well I believe thats pretty simple to find out. If were asking, I suggest I think even you know the answer to that even. If you got ta choice between those 2 guys you got ta pick Kyle Larson for sure, I imply. The kid was hot in NASCAR and he was doing a great task. And then he, considering that his issues, hes got in a sprint automobile and absolutely just obliterated the sprint vehicle field. So I believe if you got ta pick somebody today, you got ta pick Kyle Larson.
” NASCAR has got ta get off their ass and do the right thing and provide this kid a chance to get back in a car. I believe hes paid his charge and hes served the charge long enough where you understand weve had comparable instances in the sport that have actually happened and the penalties didnt last as near as long as this has lasted with Kyle..
” Its changed Kyles world, it turned everything upside down and not only did it affect him. It affected his family and a great deal of other individuals that didnt deserve to be affected. So I believe its been long enough. I think its time for NASCAR to get off their ass and to do the ideal thing and allow him to come back to the series now.”.
I have not been in an automobile for so long now it would take me a while to get back accustomed and get used to it once again. I think throughout times like this you kind of find out where your program is at and Ive never ever been more proud of our employees for Stewart-Haas Racing than now to be able to crank out 4 terrific race cars and trucks each week for these four motorists to take to the racetrack with no practice and be as competitive as theyve been. Its not like we ran 2nd to all those champions that Jimmie won but the thing about Jimmie Johnson is hes a person thats so constant and Ill be truthful, as a race fan viewing the race on Sunday.” The power that fires up all 33 automobiles to begin the race at the beginning of the day is, from the adrenaline viewpoint, is most likely one of the peaks of the day is getting that race began.
CBS Sports: I do wish to speak about someone thats in your system, Chase Briscoe, incredibly gifted. As someone who has been watching NASCAR for a long period of time he type of reminds me of you in terms of his driving style. Whats the future hold for him at Stewart-Haas Racing?
Stewart: “Well certainly were viewing what hes doing and I felt like at the very end of the year last year I felt like he started making huge enhancements. Im really impressed with what hes done this year so far and you know obviously were working him through our system.
” I seem like hell remain in a Cup vehicle eventually for this for sure. When and where its gon na be, its simply a matter of. It keeps a bit of pressure on the men that remain in those vehicles today however I think that pressure benefits them. I do not believe we have any of the four drivers that just take things lightly and are complacent about anything but having that young person in the Xfinity Series thats doing what hes doing keeps that heat on those guys to ensure that theyre getting the most out of everything each race.”.
CBS Sports: Its truly not going to be normal this weekend when we have the Indy 500. Theres gon na be no fans in participation however I comprehend that you and Advanced Auto Parts are helping to bring in fans personally. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
Stewart: “I think Advanced Auto Parts has actually done something actually distinct and something cool that despite the fact that the fans cant be there, theyre bringing the fans back to the race and making them a part of most likely one of the most vital parts of the event itself whichs the command to begin your engines.
” The power that fires up all 33 automobiles to begin the race at the start of the day is, from the adrenaline standpoint, is probably one of the peaks of the day is getting that race began. And if they do not get an opportunity and win to do that, 50 of them are going to get $200 present cards.”.
Stewart: “Its certainly been different, and especially at the start when we were trying to get two programs in weekly. I guess during times like this you sort of discover where your program is at and Ive never ever been more happy with our staff members for Stewart-Haas Racing than now to be able to crank out 4 excellent race cars and trucks every week for these 4 motorists to take to the racetrack with no practice and be as competitive as theyve been. Its truly a testament to how tough theyre working at the shop.
” When you can get men like Kevin that can head out and, you know Kevin, if that care is in the ballpark at all, hes going to get it the remainder of the way there however youve got ta get it in the ballpark and for those men to do that at the shop I think its simply been amazing.”.
CBS Sports: Another chauffeur who has actually really shown himself is Chase Elliott, who ended up being the first driver considering that you to win 3 straight road course races. If you got you at your prime versus Chase Elliott today, who would win you or Chase?
Ive known him because he was a really truly little kid and to see what hes matured into Im really happy of him … You know its hard to say, I believe its various for every generation. I remember thinking back of, well, if I could have raced Richard Petty in his prime, who would have been better?
CBS Sports: You did get to race versus Jimmie Johnson, and I think a lot of Tony Stewart fans probably wished that you raced during a various era because you most likely would have won a lot more champions and a lot more races. Had you not raced with Jimmie, how lots of championships do you think you would have won?
Stewart: “I dont know how much it would have altered it. Its not like we ran 2nd to all those championships that Jimmie won but the thing about Jimmie Johnson is hes a person thats so constant and Ill be sincere, as a race fan watching the race on Sunday.
CBS Sports: I would envision that Chase Briscoe, given whatever with the pandemic, is probably your backup motorist. If in the event he wasnt, would you want to leap in the race car as a backup driver God forbid something happened?
Stewart: “I would say we would probably be more comfy putting Chase in the vehicle than we would me at this point. I havent been in a cars and truck for so long now it would take me a while to get back acclimated and get used to it again.
CBS Sports: What has it been like owning a team during the pandemic and racing under these conditions?
Tony Stewart has actually used several hats in the motorsports world. Hes a NASCAR Hall of Famer who has actually won championships both as a motorist and owner. Hes run all sorts of cars and trucks from IndyCar to dirt racing and now he has the Superstar Racing Experience, which is set to happen next summer and air on CBS..
The man numerous call Smoke overtook CBS Sports to go over whatever going on in the car racing universe from Kyle Larsons NASCAR exile to this Sundays Indianapolis 500..
Here are some of the highlights from the conversations, along with audio from the complete interview.
CBS Sports: Kyle Larson is not in the sport for apparent factors and Erik Jones is likewise a free representative after this year. He (Jones) just got released from the 20 car after the year. In your opinion of those two motorists, which offers you the finest chance to win a race?
I do not think we have any of the four chauffeurs that simply take things gently and are complacent about anything but having that young guy in the Xfinity Series thats doing what hes doing keeps that heat on those guys to make sure that theyre getting the most out of whatever each race.”.