Tony Stewart...Exactly what the NHRA needed

As with any sport there comes a time when your legends hang up their shoes and move on from the sport. When that time comes, we expect another start to rise and bring the product to the masses and carry the torch.

I have grown up in sports and arguably grew up during one of the best eras in all of sports. Being a fan of sports during a time that saw the rise of players like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Barry Bonds, Tom Brady, and more, I got to witness greatness at the pinnacle. I also got to witness a time when John Force absolutely dominated, along with Tony Schumacher.

We all know that there will come a time when our favorite athletes call it a career though and it becomes time to find a new face of the product. Personally I think that we are seeing this happen right now in NHRA and Tony Stewart is one of those faces that will carry NHRA for years if not decades to come.

Over the last 5 years or so I have had numerous conversations behind closed doors about what would happen to NHRA when drivers like John Force, Tony Schumacher, Robert Hight, Erica Enders, and others call it a career, The general consensus in those conversations was that of confusion and not knowing where the NHRA would go and how they would attract not only sponsors, but new drivers and fans. All of those things are building blocks in continuing to grow the sport.

Some of you may think that I am crazy to think that a 53 year old guy is exactly what the NHRA needed, but let me tell you why I believe that. Tony brings with him years and years of experience as a World Champion race race driver. He is one of that rare breed that can wheel anything from a IROC, Sprint Cars, NASCAR, and Indy. He has won championships in all those forms of cars. With those accomplishments brings a certain level of respect and admiration within the pits and the boardrooms.

Drag racing at the national level is not only a fun thing to do, but it is also a business, the business of raising funds, interacting with fans, and carrying on your brand tradition. All of which the NHRA needs at this time. Only time will tell if the GOAT John Force will ever race again, or if we will ever see Robert race again. Erica has as many years left behind the wheel as she wants and is a tremendously important piece in the NHRA scheme of things.

The eyes, ears, and attention that Tony brings along with him also helps drivers like Austin Prock, Ida Zetterström, and others garner attention in their endeavors within NHRA. It becomes a win-win. Let’s not forget about Tony’s other half Leah either. She is a very well accomplished driver in her own right, and the experience that she can instill in her husband provides him the ability behind the wheel to be competitive in this world.

Obviously, I don’t think that Tony is the “missing piece” to make NHRA king of motorsports, but I do believe that Tony’s previous accomplishments, social media presence, and his brand awareness dramatically helps shrink the gap when it comes to getting the NASCAR or dirt track fan to be interested in the drag racing product. As I believe that there are other drivers that bridge that gap as well in different areas.

For years I have stated that drag racing is the most diverse and inclusive sport in the world. Your race, religion, sex, age, etc. doesn’t matter in drag racing. Whether you are 6 or 86 there is a place for you in the most extreme sport in the world. Tony Stewart joining the fray only helps to make fans of other motorsports arenas, as well as corporations worldwide recognize that drag racing is and will continue to be a viable sport and entertainment outlet for millions. I also believe that names like Tony Stewart help to put to rest some of the preconceived notions and potential stigma surrounding drag racing that people have because they aren’t educated about our sport and the passion of our drivers, fans, media, and organizations.

Carrying on the torch in drag racing is a burden that some don’t want to bear, but my personal belief is that Tony, along with Austin, Ida, Erica, Antron, and others will continue to carry that torch and will will see it burn brighter than ever in the years and decades to come.