Republic file photo Tony Stewart stands outside his trailer following the TQ All-Star Series event at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds this year.
The charitable organization created more than 20 years ago by Tony Stewart, widely considered one of the most well-known sports figures from Bartholomew County, will cease operations at the end of December.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of The Tony Stewart Foundation,” the former champion NASCAR and IndyCar driver said in written comments. “We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of our journey.”
Stewart, 53, did not provide a reason regarding why he is shutting the philanthropic organization down.
For hometown fans, the announcement leaves the All-Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets race in the air. The Bartholomew County Fair event has served as a fundraiser for Stewart’s Foundation, as well as been credited for bringing a significant boost in fair attendance. Stewart, as well as his father, Nelson, have driven in the race whenever possible.
Since its founding in 2003, the Brownsburg-based not-for-profit has donated more than $7 million to dozens of partners, including several pediatric cancer support organizations and numerous animal sanctuaries and rescues such as the Bartholomew County Humane Society. The nonprofit also assists injured race car drivers.
“We have enjoyed every minute of working with these wonderful organizations,” Stewart wrote. “It has been an honor to see the positive changes and smiles these efforts have brought to communities far and wide.”
The Columbus native is urging his fans to financially support nonprofits in their own communities.
This has been a year of change for Stewart and his wife, Leah Pruett, a 12-time NHRA Top Fuel National event winner.
Late last year, Pruett announced she was stepping away from racing to prepare to raise a family with her husband. In June, the couple announced they are expecting a son in November.
In another development, racing fans were taken off guard in May when Stewart and partner Gene Haas announced their intention to shut down Stewart-Haas Racing, a professional stock car racing team with 69 Cup Series victories.
More than 300 Stewart-Haas employees are at risk of being out of work when the NASCAR season ends Nov. 10. They include fabricators, engineers, physical fitness coaches, truck drivers and racing crew members.
However, some employees may stick with Haas when he forms a new team, Haas Racing Factory, that will race a single car in the NASCAR Cup series, plus a two-car team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
“The commitment needed to extract maximum performance (in racing) while providing sustainability is incredibly demanding, and we’ve reached a point in our respective personal and business lives where it’s time to pass the torch,” said Stewart and Haas jointly in May.
Another recent development concerns Stewart’s Hidden Hollow Ranch, his 20,000-square-foot luxury log-built house and accompanying 415-acre hunting reserve, located off West Youth Camp Road.
After originally asking for $30 million in 2022, Stewart lowered the price last April to $22.5 million.
Property tax records state Stewart purchased the property in 2004 for $1,630,000. He made $2.09 million in improvements from 2008 to 2014, which included construction of the house in 2011.
The Indianapolis Business Journal contributed to this report.
