NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart came tantalizingly close to being the first-ever driver to win championships in NASCAR, Indy Car and NHRA. In the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Top Alcohol Dragster champion, he ended in the second spot behind Julie Natass.

Meanwhile, the other half of Stewart, Leah Pruett herself was so close to clinching her first Top Fuel championship title if it was not for Doug Kalitta. Between the disappointments of coming so close to winning the championship to see it slip out of the hands at the very last moments, Stewart was extremely proud of his team for what they were able to achieve at the end of the season.

Tony Stewart opens up about his dream scenario in his NHRA career

Stewart has always been up for new adventures in his racing career, this time around it was drag racing. Matt Hagan did bring in the silverware with the podium finish for Stewart in the NHRA Funny Car World Championship but the Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion had his eyes set on another dream scenario for the season.

Speaking on EPARTRADE’s YouTube channel, Stewart spoke about his thoughts and emotions about last year’s Drag racing season. The Funny Car Champions finish was just not the peak moment for Stewart but the final round of the Top Fuel Drag Racing at Pomona was the dream scenario for his NHRA career as both drivers could be the champions for the very first time.

Stewart said, “If I had to script it you, obviously the dream scenario would have been that final round in Top Fuel at Pomona and you know having my wife Leah in the finals with Dough Kalitta, knowing that no matter what the outcome of that round was one o those two was going to be world champions for the very first time and there really wasn’t a bad ending. I mean obviously, you know I have to pull for my wife and our race team.”

“I’m so proud of Leah, I’m proud of Neal Starusbaugh, Mike Domangala and Ryan McGivery, the entire team did a phenomenal job, I mean Neal was a rookie crew chief for years in the sport… we had a lot of growing pains but to see where were a year ago and see where we are now is light years further than what I anticipated and projected what this team was going to do this year.”

The disappointment of the loss at Top Fuel Championship was secondary to respect by Stewart to Doug Kalitta.

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Tony Stewart has immense respect for Dough Kalitta

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Kalitta zoomed to the finish line against Pruett with his best run of 3.673 seconds in his Mac Tools/Toyota dragster at Pomona. It has to be noted that it was in his seventh attempt that he finally got his hands on the champions after six runner-up finishes. Owing to his resilience and determination, despite being on the losing side, Stewart has nothing but respect for Kalitta.

“I raced with Dough Kalitta in 94 and 95 and in 94 Doug won the National champion and then in 95 I beat Dough to win the National championship. So you know Dough and I have high amount of respect for each other and that’s what made it very interesting…you know listening to Robert Higt talk about that pill to swallow all of us that are competitive have to take that pill. Unfortunately, it is hard to swallow because you work so hard and I think what makes it harder is when you get that close and can’t finish, that’s what makes it really tough.”

While a defeat can really put down an athlete or a driver but not Tony Stewart who will be replacing her wife Leah Pruett for the NHRA Top Fuel Drag Racing Championship 2024. Will Top Fuel present daunting challenges to Stewart or will he add another championship to his name, only time will tell.

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