“There was no shame in losing to Antron,” was the response by Tony Stewart last year, when he came oh so close to winning his first NHRA Top Fuel win. When Smoke announced that he would be replacing his wife, Leah Pruett, in the TSR Nitro dragster last year, fans believed this was going to be another series where he would leave his mark and bag a win throughout 20 races. But the first year was far from the Cinderella story everyone was hoping for. At 53, was Stewart losing his mojo and was age finally catching up to him?
He did win the Rookie of the Year award and made it to the playoffs. But for those fans who saw Stewart reign supreme at USAC, IndyCar, and NASCAR levels, NHRA racing was seen as the next step, not a learning curve. Yet, he didn’t give in; rather, he roared back to life in 2025, winning his first race, and he’s now in the hunt for the NHRA Top Fuel championship trophy after another triumph in Illinois.
Tony Stewart humbles NHRA legends!
Tony Stewart headed to Illinois intending to earn some points and keep his championship hopes alive. After a win at Las Vegas, he was a contender but not the favourite. However, Somke opened the weekend with thunder. At the Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Illinois, he delivered a scorching run that turned heads. Stewart clocked a 3.679-second pass at 332.43 mph, his career-best in Top Fuel. That run earned him the No. 2 qualifying position for Sunday’s eliminations. It was his fastest time ever and a bold statement that “Smoke” wasn’t done yet.
“We’re really excited because I feel like our car has been very consistent this year. To put up that 3.679 run was strong for us. Very encouraging,” he said. Come Sunday, Stewart lined up for another battle, and he once again won it, in the heart of NHRA at a traditional track. But it wasn’t an easy victory. In round one, he advanced smoothly as others faltered. But it was round two that truly tested him. Both he and Shawn Reed smoked the tires. Stewart had to pedal the car twice, but he kept control.
Tony Stewart is a two-time NHRA Top Fuel winner. Stewart beats Justin Ashley
And … Stewart is the points leader! Shawn Langdon, who had the lead, went out earlier today.
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) May 18, 2025
It was pure grit, the kind Stewart has shown throughout his storied career. “It wasn’t an easy round; I had to pedal it twice, but we got it done. I think the track warmed up a bit more than we thought,” he said. By the semifinals, the field was narrowing, and the pressure was rising. Stewart went up against Steve Torrence and ran a 3.762, earning lane choice for the final. In the championship run, he faced off against 15-time winner Justin Ashley. Stewart stayed calm, executed flawlessly, and crossed the line first.
The win wasn’t just another trophy; it was his first traditional two-wide NHRA Top Fuel win. And it came against one of the best. It was Ashley’s 30th final appearance. Notably, just a day before his win, Stewart sounded confident but grounded. “I feel like our car has been very consistent. We’re proud of the guys and proud of our crew chiefs and their efforts,” he said. That belief in his team turned into results. With the Joliet victory, Stewart climbed to the top of the standings.
Shawn Langdon, the previous points leader, went out early. Now, Stewart leads the division and holds momentum in the chase for the NHRA Top Fuel championship. Notably, this victory wasn’t a fluke. It was Stewart’s second win in the last four events. He’s made it to the final round in all of them. His first NHRA Top Fuel win came last month in Las Vegas. That made Stewart the only driver to win in NASCAR, IndyCar, USAC, and NHRA events at the same track.
His versatility has always been his calling card. From winning three NASCAR Cup titles to clinching the USAC Triple Crown, Stewart has always dominated whatever machine he straps into. And while his NHRA campaign grabs headlines, Stewart is also preparing for another kind of return. Not as a driver this time, but as a voice. At the upcoming Indy 500, he’s stepping into the booth in a role that brings him full circle. The fire, it seems, never fades.
Fox Sports reunites Stewart and Danica Patrick!
Tony Stewart is heading back to Indianapolis, but not to race. This time, the three-time NASCAR Cup champion is joining the FOX Sports broadcast team for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. It’s a new role, but one that fits him perfectly. Stewart, alongside Danica Patrick, will provide expert commentary and behind-the-scenes insights throughout the broadcast. For Stewart, it’s a return to where so much of his career began, but now, he brings decades of wisdom to the mic.
Stewart couldn’t hide his excitement. On X, he posted, “Excited to be back behind the mic with the @IndyCarOnFOX team for the 109th running of the #Indy500.” Joining a crew that includes Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe, and Townsend Bell, Stewart’s voice will bring a deep understanding of the race’s pressure and pace. Few know what it feels like to run 500 miles at Indy. Even fewer have done it while also racing 600 more miles the same day. Stewart has, and now, he’ll bring that perspective to fans watching around the world.
With his former Cup series driver Danica Patrick returning as well, fans will get a dynamic duo of racing experience and broadcast charisma. Patrick’s past success at the 500 and Stewart’s open-wheel roots make them the perfect pair for race day storytelling. “It’s the greatest spectacle in racing,” Stewart once said about Indy. And this year, he’ll help make it just that, not from the cockpit, but from the commentator’s chair.
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