Tony Stewart sets record straight after Matt Hagan’s public remarks, as he responds to claims he is “halfway bionic” following several severe racing injuries. The celebrated former NASCAR champion addressed this on a recent podcast, clarifying details regarding his medical history and reflecting on his recent survival of an NHRA Top Fuel explosion.
Stewart Responds to “Halfway Bionic” Comments
Tony Stewart, widely regarded for his versatility across numerous racing disciplines and for co-owning a former NASCAR team, recently found himself correcting the narrative about his physical condition. On a Dodge GarageCast episode with Matt Hagan—his NHRA teammate—Hagan jokingly commented on Stewart’s history of broken backs during their discussion of racing incidents.
“He’s halfway bionic man. Okay. I mean, been pieced back together,” Hagan said.
Stewart, often referred to by his nickname “Smoke,” is noted for his impressive record, including 62 total NASCAR national series wins, 15 poles, and over 300 top-10 finishes. Despite his long list of injuries—including breaking his back four separate times—Stewart quickly set the record straight, emphasizing the reality of his medical interventions.
He stated in response:
“I just have one rod.
During the podcast, Stewart recalled a notable accident while driving a monster truck at Talladega, one of the instances his back broke. He also discussed racing against Kevin Hamlin, reflecting on moments when injuries altered race outcomes and recalling the physical and mental toll these incidents took on him.
“I mean, I mean, he’s been known to drive a couple different things. monster truck at Talladega. Yeah, that’s one of the four times I broke my back. Oh, and didn’t even realize that it was that was the same night that Kevin Hamlin who was earnhardt’s creature.”
“Oh, in 2000. Yeah, that’s when he broke his back the night before the race.And that’s I had missed a shift in my run against him. And he won, but broke his back. So man, because he couldn’t run that put me in the finals.And then I broke my back in the finals. And it was a blast,” he added.
These remarks came as Stewart aimed to clarify and provide factual insight about his health, reflecting determination despite past setbacks. His direct comments underlined that he is a survivor of tough racing accidents, not a product of extraordinary medical reconstruction.
Surviving a Dramatic NHRA Top Fuel Incident
In a recent NHRA Top Fuel qualifying round, Stewart faced one of the most harrowing moments of his racing career when his powerful dragster violently exploded during competition with Shawn Langdon. This incident occurred mid-run, rapidly igniting flames and bringing marshals to his aid. Remarkably, Stewart walked away unharmed, managing to exit his car by himself despite the blast‘s intensity.
Stewart openly credited the vehicle’s safety features and relayed his experience with characteristic humor during a Fox Sports interview.
“Well luckily being in canopy I don’t feel a lot of anything is here, and you realize you know obviously it decells, real quick, you go from all those positive G’s to know G’s anymore, but if anybody needs their yard mode this week in the call I got a I got some bills to pay this week,” Stewart said via Fox Sports [01:05].
This crash not only underscored the risks present in modern drag racing but also highlighted the role of current safety advancements in protecting drivers at extreme speeds. Stewart’s ability to laugh about the incident displayed his resilience after the scare.
The Ongoing Racing Legacy of Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart’s commitment to motorsports has only deepened in recent years. Since meeting professional NHRA driver Leah Pruett in 2019—now his wife—he has become increasingly invested in the NHRA Top Fuel Series. Stewart’s involvement includes competing in high-stakes events, stepping in for Pruett during her temporary absence, and earning the prestigious Rookie of the Year award for the 2024 season.
This evolving chapter in Stewart’s career further cements his place among racing’s most diverse and courageous figures. His capacity to physically recover from multiple significant injuries, maintain an elite performance level, and embrace new challenges in a different series illustrates why he remains a beloved name in the motorsport community. As he continues to write new pages of his racing journey, Tony Stewart sets record straight—not just about his medical history, but about his enduring resolve and passion for competition.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Tony Stewart quit?
A. Stewart-Haas Racing is shutting down after 16 years. Stewart mentioned they struggled to get sponsors for their four-car team. Stewart’s departure coincides with tension between NASCAR and its teams regarding the sport’s future.
Q. Did Tony Stewart drive F1?
A. TAMPA — Tony Stewart has dedicated most of his life to driving all sorts of vehicles. He’s competed in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500, and he has won championships in go-karts, sprint cars, NASCAR, and IndyCar. He even tried out a Formula One car. He never once felt scared to drive any of them. “Ever,” Stewart stated.
