Tony Stewart’s Big Play Rolling!

February 27, 2025

Feb 27, 2025 | Edition #143

👋 Dear Motorheads,

All eyes are on 23XI Racing for 2025, and for good reason. Tyler Reddick came so close to a championship last season, while Bubba Wallace found his rhythm just as the year wrapped up. Now, with Riley Herbst in a third car—and rumors of a fourth—Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan are making serious moves.

A rising Truck Series star is joining their camp. But not everyone’s convinced about how the part-time schedule will help his Cup future.

Also in today’s edition: a deep dive into NASCAR’s ultimate villain, Tony Stewart’s latest venture, and a quick look at what’s next for The Clash.

📅 Weekend Schedule

🔮 Lucky Dog’s Perspective

Denny Hamlin Is Putting Toyota’s Future at Risk

Denny Hamlin’s admiration for Corey Heim isn’t exactly breaking news. He’s been hinting at it for a while. Do you remember those cryptic posts on X last season? Whether it was before a big Truck race or after Heim put on a clinic, the writing was on the wall. And now, it’s official: Heim is joining 23XI Racing as their first-ever developmental driver.

He will do a handful of Cup races this year, plus some Xfinity starts with Sam Hunt Racing. On the surface, it’s a solid move. But, there’s no clear long-term path for Heim.

However, at just 22, the driver has already proven he’s outgrown the Truck Series. Four seasons, 12 wins, and he’s already locked into Victory Lane again this year. Now, we think, keeping a talent like that in Trucks indefinitely would be a waste of talent. Yet, there’s no full-time Xfinity or Cup deal in sight. And, we don’t know if Toyota is trying to play it safe, or do they just not have a seat for him?

Surprisingly when Hamlin was asked whether Heim has a fixed spot in 23XI, he said, “So for us, we’re going to run him in some races this year.” About the future? He clearly hinted at uncertainty. Listen to this.

Well, that’s unfortunate. For a driver to truly reach their potential, they need full-time reps. We can’t expect Corey Heim to master the Next Gen car with just a handful of starts. He’s already had a taste of Cup, filling in for Erik Jones in 2024—P25 at Dover, P22 at Kansas. But judging him off that could be way too soon.

Heim needs to run the full schedule, across different tracks. That’s how raw talent turns into a polished Cup contender. Just look at what Trackhouse is doing with Connor Zilisch—giving him a full Xfinity season, mixing in some Cup starts, and possibly another Xfinity year before leaping. That’s the right approach.

Hamlin and Toyota have a star in Heim, but if they’re serious about his future, they need to find him a proper seat. That said, we get it Denny—your hands are tied. All three 23XI charters are filled, and Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick aren’t going anywhere. Riley Herbst just got his shot, and it wouldn’t be fair to pull the plug on him this early.

So until a full-time Cup ride opens up, and the Lawsuit gets clarity, Toyota should get Heim a proper Xfinity seat. The guy had six wins last year. How much more proof do they need?

🗣️ Talk of the NASCAR Town

Carson Hocevar: NASCAR’s Villain or Savior?

Folks, you just saw how Hocevar ruffled feathers in Atlanta. It started with a little bump on Kyle Busch in Stage 1, then some door-banging with Ross Chastain before spinning Ryan Blaney. Yeah… that one might’ve been a bit much. Just look at his stunts.

And then came the big one—going after the race leader, Christopher Bell. He forced a hole to grab P2, nearly wrecking Kyle Larson in the process, what we call, classic NASCAR aggression. Two drivers, one move.

Well, that—and being completely unapologetic about it. When asked about his aggressive style, Hocevar didn’t hold back: “We’re here to win races, not be a boy band and love each other and play on the playground together.” Isn’t that what the Intimidator, Kyle Busch, and Tony Stewart always said?

But Hocevar’s attitude in Atlanta didn’t sit well with most NASCAR drivers. While for fans, he’s already a hero. The message is loud and clear: “Don’t change your ways. The sport needs you just as you are.” That was the overwhelming response after Hocevar apologized to Rick Hendrick for not pushing Kyle Larson on the final lap. We get the whole Chevy brotherhood thing, but let’s be honest—that’s not what a NASCAR villain does(apologies then and there). In the last edition, we discussed what went down with Ross Chastain. But if Hocevar really wants to own his role(villain or savior), he’s got to keep racing as he did in Atlanta. And, Carson, trust us, your fans want that.

So, hero or villain, only time will tell! But, holding your ground at a superspeedway is no joke—especially as a rookie. His blocks and pushes were more necessary than reckless. And there’s a method to his madness. He knew he went too far with Blaney and owned up to it. That’s the kind of maturity you don’t always see in aggressive drivers.

Now, with COTA up next, things are bound to get physical. Pushing, shoving, door-to-door battles—it’s all coming, folks. And Hocevar has made his stance clear: “I’m still gonna be aggressive at times.” So the real question is—how will he balance racecraft and aggression on a road course?

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

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📈 Trending News

Tony Stewart ‘The Philanthropist’!

The 2024 season has been a rollercoaster for Tony Stewart. On one hand, Stewart-Haas Racing shut down, he clashed with NASCAR over the SHR charter sale, and the Tony Stewart Foundation closed its doors. Tough blows, no doubt. But then, there were the highs. He welcomed his son, Dominic—his true legacy. You’d be surprised to see, that the little munchkin, Dom is already visiting tracks. You need to see this cute picture.

And then, in classic Smoke fashion, Stewart made headlines in NHRA, stepping into Leah Pruett’s car and proving he’s still got it. Even got the Rookie of the Year.

That’s a lot to take in for just one year. We get it Tony—you wanted to step away from NASCAR and focus on your family. But the sudden shutdown of the Tony Stewart Foundation left fans scratching their heads. Naturally, many assumed financial troubles were at play, but nothing was ever confirmed. Now it turns out, Stewart had something much bigger in the works. He’s teamed up with Novant Health to build a brand-new pediatric care unit in Charlotte. And if finances were ever a concern, they won’t be now—Novant is valued at a staggering $8 billion.

For him, this isn’t about finances—it’s about something much deeper. Stewart is a father now, and this cause is truly personal. “It’s truly about these kids. When you have the opportunity to support something like this, that becomes the priority,” T stated.

And he’s not just lending his name to the project—he’s putting his heart into it. Stewart has committed $2.25 million of his own money to kick things off. He even shared a heartfelt video where Novant’s Director gave insights on the project. But what stood out the most was the emotion in Stewart’s voice. Watch the video.

For a man who’s given so much to racing, this is his way of giving back—to his people, to all of us. This facility will serve as a recovery space for kids after intensive treatments, providing a place to relax and heal. The team has chosen an under-the-sea theme—perhaps with a little input from Stewart himself. Either way, it’s great to see the NASCAR veteran stepping up and making a difference once again.

 🔎 The In-Depth View

NASCAR’s Next Clash Venue Locked In?

No surprises here—the 2025 Clash was a hit. The setup was perfect: a return to an iconic track, the buzz NASCAR built around it, and the energy of short-track racing fans packing the stands. Now, that’s the winning formula we need for NASCAR.

Not to draw direct comparisons, but if you remember the Coliseum, its debut was a spectacle. But the 2nd year was not so great. Year three: Fans had had enough. So now that Bowman Gray Stadium has wrapped up a successful event, the big question is—where does The Clash go next?

NASCAR, currently, is chasing two major goals: going global (like the Mexico race) and going local (bringing Cup racing back to grassroots tracks). While there’s no official word yet, it seems like NASCAR is leaning toward option two for the 2026 Clash.

And honestly, it makes sense. BGS worked because hardcore short-track fans showed up in full force. They got to see top-tier racing right in their backyard. But if NASCAR takes The Clash overseas, that fan energy might not translate. But wait, the response to this visit by Chase Elliott and fellow NASCAR drivers to Mexico City has shown positive results. NASCAR itself is promoting this. Take a look!

Coming back to the Clash venue, if you recall...Kevin Harvick called this one: "I don't think you want to rip it out of the country." Harvick talked about the offense to NASCAR’s grassroots in detail. And, he has a solid reason. Listen here.

We’re with Harvick on this one. If NASCAR wants to keep the hype and freshness alive for every Clash, they can move it around—but stick to grassroots short tracks. Maybe Hickory Motor Speedway? The CARS Tour has done well there, and with Dale Jr’s ties, he could help make it happen for NASCAR.

Now, if this whole "moving around" idea doesn’t work, then sure—maybe NASCAR can explore international options. But before making that leap, let’s see how the Mexico race plays out. That’ll be the real test of whether NASCAR can thrive on a global stage or if it should keep its roots planted at home.

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