In a stunning and unusually public dispute between two of NASCAR’s most prominent figures, Rick Hendrick has flatly—and angrily—rejected any involvement by fellow racing legend Tony Stewart in Hendrick Automotive Group, citing what he called a “deep betrayal of trust” and “irreconcilable differences.”
The tension, which has been brewing behind the scenes for months, reportedly reached a boiling point after Stewart allegedly attempted to secure a stake or advisory position within the Hendrick Automotive empire, one of the largest privately held dealership groups in the United States.
Sources close to the situation say the falling out stems from a recent business disagreement tied to a failed collaboration between Stewart-Haas Racing and a Hendrick-linked supplier. Hendrick, who has traditionally maintained strong relationships across the NASCAR paddock, was reportedly blindsided when Stewart took a competing offer public—an act Hendrick viewed as both disrespectful and deliberately antagonistic.
“Let me be clear: Tony Stewart will never be part of Hendrick Automotive Group, not now, not ever,” Hendrick said in a rare, heated interview on Monday. “What happened crossed a line. It’s about loyalty and character—and in this business, that still matters.”
While both men share a long history in motorsports and mutual respect on the track, their business philosophies have often diverged. Hendrick is known for a tightly controlled, brand-conscious approach to expansion, while Stewart has embraced more aggressive, sometimes unorthodox strategies, especially in the world of dirt track racing and performance parts.
Stewart, for his part, appeared frustrated but restrained in his response. “I’ve always admired Rick and what he’s built, but I don’t need anyone’s permission to keep doing what I’m doing,” he told reporters. “I made an offer in good faith, and I’m not going to apologize for running my businesses my way.”
Industry insiders say Stewart had been interested in collaborating with Hendrick Automotive Group to create a new performance division targeting younger, motorsport-enthusiast customers—a concept that reportedly intrigued several mutual sponsors. However, Hendrick’s inner circle felt Stewart’s involvement would dilute the company’s brand and distract from its core dealership mission.
“It was a no-go from the start for Rick,” said an executive familiar with the talks. “But what really set him off was how public Tony made it. Rick values discretion as much as he does integrity.”
As the rift continues to widen, it marks a sharp and unexpected turn in the relationship between two titans of American motorsports. While both men continue to dominate in their respective arenas—Hendrick in automotive retail and NASCAR ownership, and Stewart in motorsports entrepreneurship—any hope for future collaboration appears firmly off the table.
Would you like a follow-up story exploring the potential impact on NASCAR or their fanbases?
