Overview

• Tony Stewart stated on the 'Rubbin’ Is Racing' podcast that the Daytona 500 no longer holds the same value it did 15–20 years ago, citing increased randomness in outcomes.
• Stewart argued that recent winners of the race often lack broader career accomplishments and that the event no longer reliably crowns top-tier drivers.
• Fans and commentators pushed back on Stewart’s remarks, pointing out that underdog victories have been a hallmark of the Daytona 500 for decades, not just in recent years.
• Stewart highlighted that since Kurt Busch’s 2017 win, no Daytona 500 champion has gone on to claim the season championship, furthering his critique of the race’s current dynamics.
• Despite his criticism, Stewart acknowledged the race’s historical significance and admitted he would trade some of his 49 Cup Series wins for a Daytona 500 victory, a feat he never achieved in 17 attempts.