Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. aren’t strangers. Thinking of them together takes fans back to 1998, when a fierce battle at Pikes Peak ended with Stewart punting Dale Jr. into Turn 1. Tempers flared, NASCAR called them to the hauler, and for a moment, it looked like a rivalry was born. But cooler heads prevailed the next week at Milwaukee, where Stewart suggested they bury the hatchet. Instead of feuding, they built a friendship rooted in mutual respect and a shared love for pushing limits.

Fast-forward to today, and that bond is still going strong. Only now, Stewart isn’t trading paint with Dale Jr. Instead, he’s offering him a ticket to what he calls “Fantasy Island.” After Earnhardt’s stunned reaction to Stewart’s wild Talladega drag racing stunt, Smoke decided it was time for an open invitation to a whole new world.

Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have recently made headlines in the drag racing world, blending their NASCAR legacies with high-octane NHRA action. Stewart, who shocked fans by winning his first-ever NHRA Top Fuel event at the 2025 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, continues to impress with his passion and skill in drag racing.

Meanwhile, Dale Earnhardt Jr., too, has been exploring drag racing. This includes his collaborations with popular media personality and racer Cleetus McFarland. Recently, Dale Jr. was seen driving the ‘Dale Truck’ with McFarland riding shotgun at the Talladega Superspeedway, and he was impressed, despite the thrill of it all. “It was so insane to launch that truck. I did two runs because the first run, as soon as I let off the button, my whole body went back in the seat and my foot literally came up off the floorboard. It was like a jump scare… like when you’re walking through the haunted woods and somebody comes out with a chainsaw.”

But will he try a hand at the sport? He certainly wants to. “It feels like it can get out of hand… it just feels like it’s gonna fly out of control. I’d like to do this a couple more times, man. Then kind of ramp it up a little bit.” 

The video quickly became viral, with Tony Stewart sharing his opinions on the same. When asked about it in a press conference ahead of his zMAX Dragway race, Stewart couldn’t help but tease him with an open challenge. “I got a car. I’ll let him take some runs if he wants, so it’s an open invitation,” Stewart said. Knowing Dale Jr.’s fearless nature, fans are already buzzing about what could happen if he actually takes up the offer.

Stewart also explained just how different drag racing is from what either of them grew up doing. “This is over on Fantasy Island, it’s its own deal,” Stewart laughed. Unlike oval racing, where instincts rule, drag racing demands strict adherence to exact procedures and split-second precision, making it a whole different ballgame for any seasoned racer.

Stewart further added that drag racing demands more than just flooring the gas pedal. “There’s more to it than just driving your car once you hit throttle,” he said. Top Fuel drivers must juggle up to 20 procedural steps in under five seconds, everything from clutch timing to managing downforce. It’s a world where mental sharpness matters just as much as raw bravery.

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While there’s no official word yet if Dale Jr. will accept Stewart’s playful invitation, the door is wide open, and so are the possibilities. If the two NASCAR legends ever meet on the drag strip, it would be more than just a fun crossover.

Another record in sight for Tony Stewart

Tony Stewart stands on the brink of yet another historic milestone as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads to zMAX Dragway for the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. Fresh off his first career Top Fuel victory in Las Vegas, Stewart now has the chance to make even more history by winning the 1,000th Top Fuel race in NHRA history at Charlotte’s renowned “Bellagio of dragstrips.”

Stewart’s Las Vegas win was a landmark moment. It made him the 112th different winner in NHRA Top Fuel and added to his Hall of Fame résumé. Stewart’s prolific career already includes championships in NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC. His victory was hard-fought, defeating heavyweights like Antron Brown, Justin Ashley, and Jasmine Salinas with a 3.870-second pass at 317.42 mph in the final round. Stewart credited the win to a total team effort, the support of his wife Leah Pruett, and months of relentless preparation.

Returning to Charlotte is particularly meaningful for Stewart. He has deep racing roots at the venue, having previously won the Bank of America 500 and the NASCAR All-Star Race there. “To be able to go back to Charlotte, where I’ve got a deep-rooted racing history, and as the previous race winner [in Las Vegas], is going to be a great feeling,” Stewart said. “It’s going to make going to Charlotte that much better, especially being the 1,000th Top Fuel race.”

With the NHRA celebrating its 75th anniversary next year, Stewart’s pursuit of another milestone at zMAX Dragway could further cement his status as one of motorsports’ most versatile and accomplished figures.