The NASCAR icon Tony Stewart has openly rejected the title of “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT), a label frequently given to him by fans and analysts alike. During a candid appearance on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion—who claimed titles in 2002, 2005, and 2011—expressed his belief that he doesn’t deserve the GOAT status. “I’m not the GOAT,” Stewart said plainly. “I raced with drivers who were better than me. I just worked hard and did my job.”
Stewart, widely respected for his incredible success across multiple racing disciplines—including NASCAR, IndyCar, and dirt track racing—has amassed 49 career Cup Series wins and is known for his fiery competitiveness and on-track brilliance. However, in his eyes, the sport’s true greatest drivers are legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr., whom he credits as the real trailblazers and icons of NASCAR history.
His comments quickly went viral, especially on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where fans responded with a mix of admiration and disagreement. Many applauded Stewart for his humility and self-awareness, while others pointed to his rare accomplishments—such as winning the 2011 championship as both a driver and owner—as reasons he should still be considered among the greatest.
Currently co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, Stewart has shifted his focus to developing future stars like Chase Briscoe, opting to leave the GOAT discussions to the fans and critics. His down-to-earth attitude continues to endear him to racing enthusiasts everywhere.
