Tony Stewart is never one to stay quiet, especially when something doesn’t sit right with him. This time, the NASCAR legend and NHRA team owner has called out FOX Sports for what he believes is misleading advertising.
The controversy started when FOX began promoting IndyCar as the fastest form of motorsports. However, Stewart and NHRA driver Bob Tasca III were quick to push back, pointing out that NHRA drag racers reach speeds far beyond those of IndyCar.
FOX’s IndyCar Claim Angers Bob Tasca III
FOX Sports recently advertised IndyCar as “the fastest racing series in the world,” but that statement didn’t sit well with the NHRA community.
Tasca, a well-known NHRA Funny Car driver, was the first to challenge the claim. He called it “fake news” and pointed out that NHRA drivers regularly hit speeds over 300 miles per hour, whereas the fastest recorded IndyCar speed was 237.498 mph, set by Arie Luyendyk in 1996.
Stewart, who has competed in multiple racing series and now runs an NHRA team, strongly agreed with Tasca. Having stepped into drag racing last year after taking over from his wife, Leah Pruett, Stewart has become a vocal advocate for the sport. He was quick to label FOX’s statement as “false advertising,” emphasizing that NHRA is the true king of speed in motorsports.
Tony Stewart Defends NHRA’s Speed Superiority
Speaking to reporters, Stewart didn’t hold back.
“I think they are doing some false advertising. They keep saying IndyCar has the fastest cars — I don’t know what the hell they’re watching,” he said, making it clear that NHRA’s Top Fuel and Funny Cars reach speeds that IndyCar simply can’t match.
Stewart believes FOX’s claim takes away from NHRA’s achievements and misleads fans about what real speed looks like in motorsports.
Well, since @TonyStewart has driven both @IndyCar and @NHRA, hear what he has to say about the great speed debate 😁 At the end of the day, we love both. #TSRnitro | #NHRA | #IndyCar | #NHRASpeedCheck | #Dodge pic.twitter.com/Om5C9Zplg3
— Tony Stewart Racing Nitro (@TSRnitro) March 14, 2025
The debate sparked reactions from across the racing world. Some defended FOX’s approach, arguing that IndyCar’s high-speed, open-wheel racing is still among the fastest in the world. Others firmly backed Stewart and Tasca, agreeing that NHRA holds the undisputed speed record.
Stewart has never shied away from standing up for motorsports. His switch from NASCAR to NHRA has only strengthened his passion for drag racing, and he’s determined to see the sport get the recognition it deserves.
While FOX has yet to respond to Stewart’s comments, one thing is certain — when it comes to defending NHRA, Stewart isn’t backing down. Whether this controversy fades away or sparks a larger conversation about motorsports marketing remains to be seen.