In the NASCAR world, there are very few drivers who don’t just race to make a legacy for themselves but to forge the next generation, too. And Tony Stewart, a three-time Cup Series winner, is known for forging the next generation of drivers. His dirt-track roots and no-nonsense edge have quietly shaped careers behind the scenes. But how does Tony Stewart do that?

One former Cup driver recalls how a single, blunt exchange with Stewart flipped his entire approach to the sport and turned his raw talent into something sharper and more enduring. But as the driver looks back now, it’s clear that advice reshaped not just his racing career but also his path long after his career ended.

Tony Stewart’s advice that unlocked a career pivot

Picture this: a young driver, fresh off his dirt-track domi

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