BREAKING: Eldora Speedway Legend Tony Stewart Officially Returns as Co-Owner in Stunning Announcement
**By Chase Monroe | Dirt Track Daily | May 8, 2025**
**Rossburg, OH —** In a move that has sent shockwaves through the dirt racing community, **three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and dirt track icon Tony Stewart** has **officially returned as co-owner of Eldora Speedway**, the legendary half-mile dirt oval he once angrily walked away from just three years ago.
After a fiery and very public exit in 2022 due to reported internal disputes and frustrations over corporate control and event scheduling, Stewart vowed never to return in a leadership role at the track he helped revive into one of the most iconic venues in all of motorsports. But now, in a surprise announcement posted Wednesday morning, Stewart says he’s “coming home — on my terms.”
> “I built Eldora into what it is today, and I’m not going to stand on the sidelines anymore,” Stewart said in a fiery press conference held at the infield media center. “I’ve made peace, and I’ve made plans — big ones.”
### A Return That No One Saw Coming
Sources close to Stewart and Eldora Speedway confirm that negotiations to bring him back into the fold began quietly late last year, with the deal finalized earlier this week. Stewart returns as **Co-Owner and Executive Director of Competition**, a role that will give him full authority over racing operations, driver invitations, and event development.
The track, located in Rossburg, Ohio, has hosted some of the biggest dirt racing events in the world — including the famed **Eldora Million**, the **Kings Royal**, and the **Dirt Late Model Dream**. But many fans believed the soul of the track had dimmed since Stewart’s departure.
That, Stewart says, ends now.
> “We’re bringing back the grit, the speed, and the soul of Eldora. The place got too corporate — too safe. I’m here to light a fire under its tail again.”
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## A Tumultuous Departure, A Shocking Return
Stewart originally purchased Eldora in 2004 and was praised for elevating the track to national prominence. He introduced live streaming through his partnership with FloRacing, attracted top NASCAR drivers to dirt events, and restored a fan-first culture.
But by 2022, tensions boiled over between Stewart and the new majority stakeholders — reportedly over disagreements involving sanctioning bodies, safety restrictions, and sponsorship conflicts. Stewart abruptly resigned, calling the leadership “a boardroom with no dirt under their nails.”
His walkout sparked controversy, and many insiders believed the relationship was irreparable.
So what changed?
> “Time. And the realization that I can’t sit back and watch this place fade,” Stewart told reporters. “I buried my ego because Eldora means more to me than any grudge.”
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## What This Means for Eldora—and the Sport
With Stewart back at the helm, expect major changes immediately:
* **A brand-new mid-summer Super Late Model Shootout** with a \$500,000 purse, dubbed *“The Outlaw Clash at Eldora”*.
* **A return of the NASCAR Truck Series Dirt Race**, which had been paused after 2023.
* A rumored **NASCAR All-Star Dirt Exhibition** in 2026 involving Cup Series stars.
* **Revised safety and tech inspection policies** that balance innovation with regulation — a Stewart sticking point.
* Major facility upgrades including improved grandstands, camping zones, and a new infield “Fan Zone” for behind-the-scenes access.
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## Fan and Driver Reactions
Reaction from the dirt racing and NASCAR worlds has been electric.
**Kyle Larson**, one of the sport’s top drivers and a frequent Eldora winner, tweeted:
> “Hell yes. Eldora is back, and it’s gonna be wild. Smoke’s the guy to do it.”
**Donny Schatz**, 10-time World of Outlaws champion, said:
> “Tony’s return changes the game. He’s a racer’s racer. He knows what fans and drivers want.”
Fans flooded social media with praise and excitement. Within an hour, “Tony Stewart” and “#EldoraIsBack” were trending nationwide.
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## Stewart’s Promise to the Fans
In classic Stewart fashion, he ended the press conference with a direct message to the racing community:
> “You want racing that makes your heart pound? You want drivers who leave everything on the track? Then come to Eldora in 2026. I’m back — and I’m just getting started.”
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## Looking Ahead
The 2025 Eldora schedule will remain as is, but **major changes are already planned for 2026**, including live broadcast partnerships, a potential iRacing virtual revival of historic events, and a fan vote to decide the lineup for the first *Eldora All-Star Open*.
Tony Stewart’s return isn’t just big news — it’s a full-throttle revival of a racing cathedral.
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iver interviews or a mock 2026 event schedule for Eldora under Stewart’s leadership?
