Some fans might remember Tony Stewart for his blistering on-track performances. A three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion in 2002, 2005, and 2011, Stewart also etched his name in open-wheel history by clinching the 1997 IndyCar Series title. His career is loaded with wins, poles, and unforgettable moments behind the wheel. Others might remember him as the co-owner of the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing team, a venture that brought multiple Cup Series titles and shook up NASCAR’s garage politics for over a decade. However, everyone will remember Tony Stewart for one thing above all else: that short fuse.

The helmet tosses, the pit road confrontations, the verbal knockouts in media centers, Smoke’s temper became as iconic as his trophies. But according to Dale Earnhardt Jr., there’s a side of Tony Stewart most fans never get to see. And on a recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download, Junior finally pulled the curtain back.

Unmasking Tony Stewart – The man behind the media clashes

“Every time you were around Tony, he was giving somebody a hard time,” Dale Jr. explained. He then recalled an incident wherein Tony Stewart got into a fiery exchange with an ESPN reporter. In 2012, after the Richmond race, Stewart famously retorted to ESPN’s David Newton, “David, only you’d think about stuff like that… I don’t sit there and think of that petty c— that you think of.” This sharp comment followed a question about consecutive races without wrecks, highlighting Stewart’s disdain for what he perceived as trivial inquiries.

Dale Jr., seated beside him, struggled to suppress his laughter, underscoring the unpredictable nature of Stewart’s press interactions. However, Tony Stewart’s confrontations weren’t limited to reporters. In 2012 at Bristol, he hurled his helmet at Matt Kenseth’s car, a moment that epitomized his intense on-track persona. These episodes contributed to his reputation as one of NASCAR’s most passionate and volatile figures. ​“He was mad at everybody at one point,” Dale Jr. summarized.

However, there’s a softer side to Stewart that often goes unnoticed. Dale Jr. revealed, “One thing about Tony Stewart that a lot of people don’t know is that he’s a teddy bear. He’s very sensitive. Behind closed doors, he has regrets.” This introspective side contrasts sharply with his public image, suggesting a depth to Stewart’s character that fans rarely see. Dale Jr. revealed that once his anger cooled down, Tony Stewart would regret his actions and apologize for them. “He was the kind of guy that would come over later and go, ‘Hey, I, you know, I’m sorry about that, yeah, you know, you’re awesome,'” revealed Dale Jr. But Stewart’s benevolence extends beyond apologies.

In 2015, after Kyle Busch suffered serious injuries at Daytona, Stewart visited him in the hospital, offering support and encouragement. Similarly, following the tragic accident involving IndyCar driver Justin Wilson, Stewart provided his private plane to transport Wilson’s family to the hospital. These acts of kindness highlight a compassionate side of Stewart that contrasts with his fiery reputation.

And that’s what makes Stewart such a complex, oddly endearing figure. Beneath the public outbursts and headline-grabbing rants is a guy who feels it all more deeply than people realize. Dale Jr. made sure to emphasize that, closing his thoughts by saying, “So, he’s a good guy.” A reminder that even NASCAR’s fiercest flames have a softer glow behind closed doors.

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From rivals to an unstoppable duo

Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. weren’t always trading compliments. In fact, their on-track battles in the early 2000s were intense. Both were fierce competitors with huge fan bases. Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s rivalry began with a memorable clash at Pikes Peak in 1998. Both drivers were racing hard, with Dale Jr. repeatedly trying to pass Stewart. The battle escalated until Stewart “punted” Dale Jr. into Turn 1, leading to both being summoned to the NASCAR hauler for a heated confrontation.

Despite the altercation, neither driver held a grudge for long. The following week at Milwaukee, Stewart approached Dale Jr. in the pits. He suggested they put their differences aside, recognizing they would compete against each other for years to come. This gesture laid the foundation for mutual respect and a lasting friendship, which evolved into an unstoppable partnership.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart never raced for the same team, but were one of the best drafting duos the sport has ever seen. The two knew how each other wanted to race, and used to engulf the rest of the field with their skill. Tony Stewart appeared on the Dale Jr. Download and spoke about their drafting success, saying, “Your idea and my idea were exactly in line,” said Stewart about Dale Jr.’s approach to restrictor plate racing. They used to stick together throughout the race so much that Stewart jokingly quipped, “It didn’t matter if he went to the damn concessions stand. Whatever he ordered, I was gonna order behind him.”

“It got to the point where they tried everything they could to separate us,” added Stewart. Their most iconic drafting moment was undoubtedly the 2004 Daytona 500, where Jr. led 58 laps and Stewart led 98 laps as the two kept swapping leads while drafting together, as Jr. went on to win his first Daytona 500 with Stewart in 2nd. While Stewart was never able to clinch the crown jewel race himself, he played a huge role in what was a career-defining win for Dale Jr.