Tony Stewart earns first NHRA Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier, marking a pivotal milestone during the 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, where he delivered a career-defining performance. As Stewart secures this top qualifying spot in his sophomore year competing in NHRA Top Fuel, anticipation builds for his continued success throughout the season.
Milestone Season for Tony Stewart in NHRA Top Fuel
The 2025 season is turning out to be exceptional for Tony Stewart, as he recently celebrated his first and second Top Fuel victories in NHRA national events. Piloting the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster for his wife Leah Pruett’s team, Stewart showcased remarkable skill at Bristol, grabbing his first-ever No. 1 qualifier award. While Pruett, who became a mother the previous year, decided against running a full season, Stewart has stepped up, continuing to bring attention to their team.
Stewart likened this winning moment to another significant chapter in his motorsports career, expressing,
“That brought me back to a moment back in 2009 when we started Stewart-Haas Racing. It was brief moment of being excited and knowing that I could go to the race track and not have to answer all these questions about ‘when are you going to win a race?’ It’s we’ve done it and now we can just show up each weekend and do it again.”
—Tony Stewart, Three-Time Series Champion
Adding to his achievements at Bristol, Stewart captured the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge title, narrowly defeating Doug Kalitta with an impressive run at 324.05 mph in 3.803 seconds. This win put an end to Kalitta Motorsports’ string of wins in the specialty challenge, which had previously dominated the first six events of the season. Next, Stewart is set to face Cody Krohn in Sunday’s elimination rounds and will then head to the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, an event scheduled for June 22 and broadcast on NHRA.tv.
Mentoring and Rivalries: Ryan Blaney’s Early Lessons from Stewart
Tony Stewart’s influence extends beyond drag strips and into the world of NASCAR, where drivers like Ryan Blaney credit him for important learning moments. Blaney, now a successful Cup Series driver for Penske and a past member of Wood Brothers Racing, recalled formative experiences with Stewart as both a rival and mentor.
During an interview, Blaney shared a vivid memory from his rookie days:
“I got my ass chewed out by Tony Stewart my rookie year because I did something kind of foolish and dumb and just not knowing any better.”
—Ryan Blaney, Cup Series Driver
“Tony chewed me out and I learned from it. I moved on and I tried to become a better race car driver from that. That’s just how it goes in every sport, you look at that, that’s just how it goes. The experience level gets higher and higher,” he added.
—Ryan Blaney, Cup Series Driver
Today, Blaney is considered among the NASCAR Cup Series’ top competitors, following his recent win at Nashville Superspeedway. With his seventh-place standing and 417 points this season, Blaney joins teammates Joey Logano and Austin Cindric in the playoffs, underlining his growth since those rookie years spent learning from mentors like Stewart and Roger Penske.
Looking Ahead: Impact of Stewart’s Achievement
Tony Stewart’s breakthrough as the No. 1 qualifier in NHRA Top Fuel underscores a new era for the multi-series champion, reflecting his ability to adapt and excel across motorsport disciplines. His performance at Bristol, along with victories in specialty events, will likely boost his standing and attract further attention to the NHRA tour, especially at venues like Virginia Motorsports Park. Fans and competitors now turn their focus to Stewart’s upcoming races, eager to see if his momentum continues into the heart of the 2025 season.
