Tony Stewart addressed the dramatic events that occurred during Saturday’s NHRA Top Fuel qualifying at the Northwest Nationals, offering a Tony Stewart NHRA Northwest Nationals update following Shawn Reed’s high-speed crash and sharing his own strong performance in qualifying rounds. The session highlighted both the dangers of drag racing and Stewart’s determination entering Race Day.
Shawn Reed’s Crash Stuns NHRA Fans
Saturday’s Top Fuel qualifying was shaken by a severe accident involving Shawn Reed, who was piloting the Reed Trucking and Excavating dragster at speeds near 300 mph when the right rear tire gave out mid-run. The sudden tire failure disabled the car’s rear wing, causing Reed’s vehicle to spin uncontrollably and collide nose-first into the opposite wall, narrowly missing Doug Kalitta, who had already aborted his run after his tires smoked.
Debris scattered across the track as the remaining Goodyear tire was shredded. Rob Wendland, Reed’s crew chief, reported that while the engine remained untouched by the wreck, the car’s roll cage was damaged. Wendland also revealed Reed suffered a significant hand laceration, likely caused by the steering wheel, and was sent to a specialist to assess the injury.
Following these events, Stewart took to social media to express his deep concern for Reed and to keep fans informed about his own efforts through the ordeal.
“First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are with @shawnreed_tf after his wild ride yesterday. Moments like that remind all of us how intense and unpredictable this sport can be — and just how much respect every driver out here deserves. We ended Saturday qualifying 5th with a solid run that sets us up strong for Race Day. Grateful for the hard work this @tsrnitro crew continues to put in — now it’s time to finish the job.”
—Tony Stewart, NHRA Top Fuel Driver
Stewart Secures Top Five Qualifying Spot
Despite the tense atmosphere, Tony Stewart and his Dodge-powered Top Fuel team delivered a competitive performance, locking in the No. 5 qualifying position with an impressive 3.759-second run at 327.51 mph in the fourth session. During Round 1 of the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, Stewart triumphed over Clay Millican, demonstrating consistency on the track.
However, Stewart fell short in the final round of the challenge against Shawn Langdon, who advanced with a rapid 3.718-second pass at 338.17 mph. This steady form positions Stewart well for Race Day as he seeks to capitalize on the TSR Nitro crew’s momentum.
Reflecting on Explosive Moments on the Track
Earlier in the season, Stewart experienced the unpredictable nature of Top Fuel racing firsthand during a qualifying run in late June against Shawn Langdon. His 11,000-horsepower dragster suffered an engine explosion mid-run, igniting a blaze and instantly drawing a trackside response from safety marshals. Stewart managed to exit the car on his own, avoiding injury despite the dramatic incident.
In a post-race conversation captured by Taylor Kitchen and shared on X, Stewart candidly described the incident and the physical forces at play when such events unfold on the dragstrip.
“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.” Said Tony Stewart
—Tony Stewart, NHRA Top Fuel Driver
Stewart’s Racing Background and Current Goals
After Leah Pruett stepped away from competition to focus on family, Stewart filled the seat and quickly made an impact, earning Rookie of the Year honors last season. The 54-year-old now has four career NHRA wins—two each in Top Fuel and Top Alcohol Dragster—and has competed in 79 final rounds. His fastest career pass, achieved at 334.73 mph, stands as a testament to his rapidly developing skillset in the series.
What Lies Ahead at the Northwest Nationals
With Saturday qualifying complete and a top-five spot secured, Tony Stewart is set to challenge for the win at the Northwest Nationals. The dramatic events surrounding Shawn Reed’s accident have underlined the risks inherent to Top Fuel drag racing, but Stewart’s focus remains on translating his crew’s effort into results on Race Day. As the sport’s stars, including Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, and others, continue to battle for dominance, fans will be watching closely to see how Stewart and his team rise to the occasion.
