They didn’t nickname him “Smoke” because he plays nice. Tony Stewart earned that name partly for his burnout celebrations, mostly for his fiery temper and blistering driving style. The man once said, “I’d wreck my mom to win a championship. I’d wreck your mom to win a championship!” That’s not just bold talk; it’s a mission statement. And he’s proved it with his Championship wins. But his achievements tell a different story.

In clearer words, Tony Stewart was born to race anything with an engine and four wheels. And now, with his latest win in NHRA Top Fuel drag racing, the legend of Smoke just burned a little brighter. It’s the kind of feat that even the calmest NASCAR insiders couldn’t keep their calm while talking about, throwing down a wild verdict.

Tony Stewart’s legacy keeps evolving one discipline at a time

Folks, one thing is for sure. Tony Stewart was never built for one lane. The NASCAR Hall of Famer has always chased adrenaline, whether behind the wheel of a stock car, sprint car, or midget. Stewart’s three NASCAR Cup championships, 49 Cup wins, and 308 top-10s in a career spanning over 18 years speak volumes. But it’s his curiosity and fearlessness that pushed him into new arenas long after his full-time NASCAR days ended.

His NHRA journey is just the latest chapter. In April 2025, Stewart made headlines again by winning his first Top Fuel event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Not just winning, dominating! In a powerful 3.870-second, 317.42 mph run, Stewart outran reigning champion Antron Brown and two other finalists to claim the win, making him one of the few drivers in history to win at the highest levels of NASCAR, IndyCar, USAC, and NHRA.

The moment shocked some, but not Kevin Harvick. “And now, it’s a straight-line drag racing car,” Harvick shared candidly. Mike Joy chimed in, echoing Harvick’s sentiments, “He comes back and wins an IndyCar race.” Undoubtedly, Stewart’s win wasn’t just a personal milestone, it was motorsports history.

Mike Joy rightfully passed a verdict on Tony Stewart’s illustrious career. “It would take us five minutes just to recite it.” Stewart’s resume now boasts of three NASCAR Cup championships (2002, 2005, and 2011), an IndyCar title (1997), USAC’s Triple Crown (1995), USAC National Midget Series Championship (1994), IROC champion (2006) and now, a breakthrough NHRA Top Fuel victory (2025) at age 53. Plus, there are several other noteworthy race wins that make his record nearly mythic.

His success adds fuel to comparisons with racing icons like AJ Foyt and Mario Andretti—legends who raced anything and beat everyone. Joy expanded on that point: “You got Kyle Larson. Christopher Bell could do that now.” The connection? They’re all cut from the same mold. They’re fearless, skilled, and willing to jump series just for the challenge!

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Can Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell follow in Smoke’s tire tracks?

Kyle Larson is already halfway there. He’s conquered NASCAR, won the 2021 Cup Series title, and dominated dirt tracks coast to coast. He’s also won the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award at the Indy 500 last year. From late models to sprint cars, his versatility mirrors Tony Stewart’s blueprint. And now, in May 2025, Larson is set to chase immortality through the prestigious Double Duty weekend. In 2001, Tony Stewart became the first and only driver to date to complete all 1,100 miles of both races in the same day.

Harvick said it himself: “Kyle Larson didn’t go through IndyCar. He’s gone through NASCAR. And now back to IndyCar.” That reverse transition isn’t common, but it shows Larson’s drive to break barriers. Like Stewart, he’s unafraid to push beyond the stock car comfort zone. His Indy bid proves he’s not just a wheelman. But he’s an all-around racer with something to prove.

Then there’s Christopher Bell. Joy didn’t hesitate: “He’s wow. He will be a champion of this sport.” Bell cut his teeth on dirt, racking up wins in the Chili Bowl and USAC. Now a consistent NASCAR threat, he’s matured into a cerebral driver. With the right shot at Indy, Bell might just be the next crossover phenom. The talent’s there, it’s just the opportunity that’s missing.

What sets these guys apart is their mindset. They don’t just race, they live it. That’s what makes Stewart, Larson, and Bell part of a rare breed. As Joy noted, “There are others that could do it if the opportunities and the schedule presented themselves.” These aren’t just racers—they’re throwbacks to when men jumped cars and chased wins wherever they could.

And maybe that’s what racing needs right now. A bit of that old-school spirit. With Stewart’s Top Fuel win opening the conversation again, the spotlight now shifts. Can Larson light it up at Indy? Will Bell get his shot? If they do, buckle up. Because the racing world’s about to get a lot more interesting!