Tony Stewart & Co. Redeem Difficult 2024 to Celebrate Championship Victory in NHRA

Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart can’t stop winning. Apart from his NASCAR accolades, he has also dominated other motorsports events like IndyCar and Sprint Car. However, his recent success is coming in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) as clinched a prestigious trophy in his debut year.

Notably, since his early racing days in 1978, Stewart won more than a dozen championships. He won three UASC championships in 1995 and the 1997 Indy Car championship before joining NASCAR in 1999. In 2024, Stewart added another chapter to his legacy with a stunning victory in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, securing the North Central Division championship. The Smoke recently shared glimpses of a celebration alongside his team.

Tony Stewart’s struggling 2024 season

Tony Stewart’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster ride, but his determination led to a memorable finish. Driving the McPhillips Racing Top Alcohol Dragster, Stewart entered the NHRA North Central Division race, trailing his rival Gary Pritchett by 21 points. The pressure was immense, with the championship hanging in the balance.

However, in a winner-takes-all showdown, Stewart delivered a stellar performance, clocking an impressive ET of 5.216 seconds at 274.16 mph to clinch his first divisional title. Reflecting on the season, Stewart credited his team for their relentless effort and strategic precision. “Such an awesome night celebrating our 2024 Top Alcohol Dragster NHRA North Central Championship with McPhillips Racing,” he wrote on social media.

The transition from NASCAR to NHRA hasn’t been without its challenges. Stewart has openly discussed the stark differences between the two series, particularly the contrasting demands on drivers and teams. On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hours podcast, Stewart explained how NHRA races, lasting mere seconds, rely heavily on the crew’s expertise in building and tuning cars. “The world where we came from [NASCAR], I would say 70% of the results were due to what we did in the car… 30% on the crew chief and the team. That’s reversed, this [drag racing] is a sport where the tuners and the crew chiefs have that big responsibility… they’re that 70% of the equation,” he remarked.

Notably, with his performance in his debut season, Tony Stewart also won the Rookie of the Year award in 2024 NHRA. It’s worth noting that he made his NHRA debut after his wife, Leah Pruett, announced she was expecting their first child together. She promptly took a break from drag racing while Stewart stepped in her place. His wife, Leah Pruett, has been a well-known drag racer, and her support and guidance have been very helpful for Smoke. Pruett notably placed third in the 2023 NHRA Top Fuel point standings.

Apart from his driving career, Tony Stewart also had some struggles as a team owner. After tensions with NASCAR authorities and dwindling financial support from sponsors, he decided to close down his Stewart-Haas Racing operations. However, he made some critical changes in Tony Stewart Racing for the upcoming season of the World of Outlaws. He promoted his car chief to crew chief to guide 10-time WoO champion Donny Schatz.

Stewart’s 86-year-old father looking might return to racing!

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As Tony Stewart celebrated his NHRA triumph, another story from the Stewart family emerged, adding a fascinating layer to his 2024 success. His father, Nelson Stewart, is preparing to make his drag racing debut at the age of 86. Inspired by his son’s achievements, Nelson has shown a keen interest in competing in the athlete-level Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Tony, while supportive, shared his candid thoughts about his father’s decision. “He’s not the smartest guy—he’s 86 years old… He’s at the age [that] he’s made it this far and he’s healthy. He takes great care of himself,” Stewart said during an interview with Joe Castello. The elder Stewart, no stranger to circle-track racing, has sought advice from seasoned racers like Antron Brown and Bo Butner as he explores this new chapter. “Leah did give him the reality that he’s probably going to get his butt kicked for a while… So for my father to get involved in drag racing at this age, I think it’s awesome that he has the interest,” Tony added.

Despite his reservations, Tony respects his father’s determination and willingness to embrace new challenges. “If he wants to race, by God, we’re not going to tell him he can’t,” he said. Nelson’s journey into drag racing has drawn attention, with fans eagerly anticipating his debut. For Tony, this marks yet another example of how racing runs deep in the Stewart family.