Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick Turn Down Tony Stewart’s ‘Crazy’ Offer: The Cost and Mystery Behind the Shocking Decision

In a bombshell that has NASCAR fans buzzing, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick, two of the sport’s biggest icons, have rejected a jaw-dropping offer from Tony Stewart to join his NHRA Top Fuel drag racing venture. The news, revealed on Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast in May 2025, sent shockwaves through the racing world, with Stewart’s audacious pitch described as “crazy” by Earnhardt. After tasting the raw power of a 1,500-horsepower drag truck at Talladega with YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, Earnhardt and Harvick were tempted by Stewart’s vision to bring NASCAR star power to the dragstrip. So why did these legends, both co-owners of the CARS Tour and no strangers to bold moves, say no? The shocking decision hinges on sky-high costs, conflicting commitments, and a mysterious reluctance to dive into Stewart’s high-risk world. Uncover the truth behind their choice, the financial stakes, and whether this could strain their decades-long bond with Stewart.

Stewart’s Crazy’ Offer: A Drag Racing Dream for Earnhardt and Harvick

Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, has been rewriting his legacy in NHRA Top Fuel racing. Since co-founding the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) in 2021 and scoring a Top Fuel win at the 2025 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, Stewart—aka “Smoke”—has embraced drag racing’s raw intensity. His April 2025 victory, where he outran Brittany Force and Steve Torrence, cemented his credibility in a sport far removed from NASCAR’s ovals. But Stewart’s ambitions go beyond personal glory. He’s building a drag racing empire, and he wanted Earnhardt and Harvick, his longtime friends, to join the ride.

The offer stemmed from a viral moment at Talladega in April 2025, when Earnhardt, 50, piloted McFarland’s “Intimidator”-inspired Chevy Silverado drag truck, a turbocharged beast sporting Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s iconic black-and-silver Goodwrench livery. The 2.1-million-view YouTube video captured Earnhardt’s awe, flooring the 1,500-horsepower machine to 100 mph in under 600 feet. “Holy moly, it’s awesome!” he exclaimed, per Sports Illustrated. Harvick, on Happy Hour, described Earnhardt as “f***ing jacked up,” noting his rare joy. Stewart, watching the frenzy, saw a chance to lure both to his NHRA team, proposing they race Top Fuel dragsters—11,000-horsepower monsters that hit 330 mph in under four seconds.

Stewart’s pitch, detailed on X by @NASCARReport, was bold: “Tony wants Dale Jr. and Harvick to run select NHRA events in 2026, bringing NASCAR fans to drag racing.” He sweetened the deal with sponsorship potential, leveraging Earnhardt’s Dirty Mo Media reach and Harvick’s podcast audience. Earnhardt, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, and Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, could elevate NHRA’s profile, much like their CARS Tour ownership has boosted grassroots racing. But the “crazy” offer, as Earnhardt called it on Dale Jr. Download, came with a catch—one big enough to make them walk away.

The Cost Barrier: Why Stewart’s Dream Was Too Expensive

The primary reason Earnhardt and Harvick rejected Stewart’s offer was the staggering cost of NHRA Top Fuel racing. Unlike NASCAR, where charters guarantee revenue, NHRA teams rely heavily on sponsorships and owner funding. A single Top Fuel dragster costs $500,000 to build, with annual operating expenses—fuel, tires, crew, and travel—exceeding $2–3 million per car, per AutoWeek. Stewart’s own team, backed by Dodge and Mobil 1, spends millions, with each run burning $10,000 in nitromethane fuel alone. For Earnhardt and Harvick to compete in even a partial 2026 NHRA schedule (6–8 races), they’d need $1–2 million each, a risky investment without guaranteed returns.

Earnhardt, the richest NASCAR driver ever with a $300 million net worth (Sportsnaut), is no stranger to big bets. His JR Motorsports (JRM) runs multiple Xfinity Series cars, and he co-owns the CARS Tour with Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks. But JRM’s Kelley Earnhardt Miller highlighted the financial complexity of racing ventures on her 2024 podcast, saying, “The [business] model… doesn’t always make day-to-day operations go around” (EssentiallySports). Earnhardt balked at NHRA’s costs, telling McFarland on Dale Jr. Download, “That’s a crazy leap, man. I’m not sure I got the wallet for that!” His reluctance echoes his decision to avoid buying a Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) charter in 2024, citing financial risks.

Harvick, who retired from NASCAR in 2023 after a 69-win career, was equally pragmatic. His Kevin Harvick Inc. manages business ventures, but he’s focused on low-risk, high-impact projects like the CARS Tour’s $200,000 Throwback Classic at Hickory Motor Speedway (ProFootballNetwork). On Happy Hour, Harvick admitted Stewart’s offer was tempting but impractical: “Top Fuel is a money pit. Tony’s got the passion, but I’m not burning cash like that.” Both drivers, burned by SHR’s 2024 collapse after Harvick’s exit, prioritized financial caution over Stewart’s dream. X posts, like @RacingInsider’s, noted, “Dale Jr. and Harvick know NHRA’s a black hole without big sponsors.”

Mystery of Motives: Why Else Did They Say No?

Beyond cost, the shocking decision reveals deeper, murkier reasons tied to commitments, risk, and loyalty. Earnhardt and Harvick’s lives are rooted in NASCAR, and Stewart’s NHRA gamble—while thrilling—posed logistical and personal hurdles.

1. Overloaded Schedules and NASCAR Roots

Earnhardt’s plate is full. As JRM’s owner, he oversees drivers like Sam Mayer and Brandon Jones, with Xfinity wins in 2025. His Dirty Mo Media produces Dale Jr. Download, a top motorsport podcast, and he’s an NBC  broadcaster for NASCAR’s biggest races. Co-owning the CARS Tour, which partnered with FOX Sports for 2025’s All-Star Weekend, demands time. Earnhardt told McFarland, “I’m 50, man. I love NASCAR—it’s home. Drag racing’s cool, but I can’t split my focus.” His Talladega drag run was a one-off thrill, not a career pivot.

Harvick, 49, is equally entrenched. His Happy Hour podcast, CARS Tour duties, and FOX Sports commentary keep him busy. After 22 years in NASCAR, where he won the 2007 Daytona 500 and 2014 title, Harvick’s heart lies in stock cars. He told FOX Sports, “Stewart’s living his drag racing dream, but I’m good building NASCAR’s future.” Both drivers’ CARS Tour work—elevating grassroots racing with $50,000 purses (ProFootballNetwork)—aligns with their legacy, unlike NHRA’s uncharted waters.

2. Safety and Risk: The Top Fuel Fear Factor

Top Fuel racing is exhilarating but dangerous. Dragsters hit 330 mph in 1,000 feet, with crashes risking catastrophic injury. Stewart’s own NHRA crashes, like a 2024 chassis failure, raised eyebrows. Earnhardt, whose father died in a 2001 Daytona 500 crash (Daily Express), is risk-averse. His 2016 NASCAR concussions sidelined him for half a season (Charlotte Observer), and he told The Dan Patrick Show in 2018 that safety weighs heavily. Harvick, who survived a fiery 2022 Darlington crash, echoed this on Happy Hour: “Top Fuel’s insane. I’m not strapping into that rocket at my age.”

3. Stewart’s SHR Fallout: A Strained Bond?

A mysterious undercurrent is Stewart’s strained relationship with Earnhardt and Harvick after SHR’s 2024 closure. Harvick, who drove for SHR from 2014 to 2014–2023, winning 37 races and the 2014 title, was stunned by the shutdown, telling Happy Hour, “I thought Tony and Gene [Haas] had it figured out.” His comments hinted at frustration with Stewart’s “hands-off” approach (EssentiallySports). Earnhardt’s sister, Kelley, sympathized with SHR’s staff but ruled out buying a charter, citing “complex decisions” (EssentiallySports). Stewart’s failure to secure SHR’s future—losing sponsors like Anheuser-Busch—may have eroded trust.

Harvick’s 2023 tribute to Stewart, calling him “Uncle Smoke” to his kids (EssentiallySports), showed deep friendship, but recent tensions suggest cracks. Earnhardt and Stewart’s bond, forged through Daytona 500 battles and a 2013 Cleveland Show cameo (MotorcycleSports), remains strong, but Earnhardt’s “crazy” label for the offer hints at skepticism. X posts, like @NASCARVibes’, speculated, “Dale Jr. and Harvick don’t trust Tony’s ventures after SHR tanked.” The mystery lingers: did SHR’s collapse make them doubt Stewart’s NHRA vision?

The Fallout: What’s Next for Stewart, Earnhardt, and Harvick?

Stewart’s offer, though rejected, hasn’t dimmed his NHRA ambitions. He’s signed Leah Pruett for 2026 and is chasing a Top Fuel title, per NHRA.com. But losing Earnhardt and Harvick’s star power is a blow. NASCAR fans, a key NHRA growth demographic, may stay away without their idols. Stewart told Racing America, “I’ll keep pushing. Dale and Kevin know where to find me.” His friendship with both remains intact, but the SHR saga may cast a shadow.

For Earnhardt, the decision reinforces his NASCAR focus. JRM’s 2025 Xfinity success and the CARS Tour’s Hickory event keep him influential. His Talladega drag run, while thrilling, was a nod to Dale Sr.’s legacy, not a new path. Harvick, mentoring young drivers like Josh Berry (AutoWeek), is shaping NASCAR’s future through media and the CARS Tour. Both are betting on stock cars over Stewart’s dragstrip gamble.

The NASCAR world is abuzz. X fans, like @RaceFanatic, praised Earnhardt and Harvick’s caution, while @SpeedwayGuru lamented, “Missed chance to shake up NHRA!” The cost—financial and personal—proved too steep, and the mystery of their hesitation points to SHR’s fallout and NASCAR loyalty. As Monaco awaits Charles Leclerc’s next F1 race, NASCAR heads to Kansas Speedway (May 11, 2025). Follow @DaleJr and @KevinHarvick on X for updates, and catch Stewart at NHRA’s Pomona finale. Will Earnhardt or Harvick ever reconsider? The truth is, this shocking decision has closed a door—but in racing, nothing’s ever final.