Tony Stewart celebrated a major milestone by capturing the NHRA Top Fuel Regular Season Championship at the Cornwell Tools US Nationals, capping off his inaugural season in the class as he competed in Indiana on September 1. While this victory propels Stewart to the top of the points standings and positions him as the No. 1 seed for the Countdown, his ambition for a win at his hometown’s prestige event remains unfulfilled, highlighting his relentless drive within the Tony Stewart NHRA Top Fuel championship quest.
This latest achievement marks Stewart’s eighth overall appearance in a drag racing final and his fifth in Top Fuel, triumphing over Steve Torrence, Kyle Wurtzel, and Jasmine Salinas en route. Despite his determined run, Justin Ashley managed to outpace him in the U.S. Nationals final, preventing Stewart from translating his accolades into a US Nationals victory. Nonetheless, Stewart’s performance not only set him ahead of competitors Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta in the regular season but also earned him a $150,000 points lead bonus as he targets further domination in the postseason.
Stewart Reflects on Final Round and Team’s Momentum
Following the race, Stewart took to social media to provide insight into his emotions after the day’s efforts, expressing pride in his crew and desire to build upon their success.
“Winning the @NHRA Top Fuel Regular Season Championship is massive for us in my eyes. But even then, there was nothing I wanted more than to win the final round and take home the U.S. Nationals trophy. We made a great pass in the final and I had a great .053 light, but @TheJustinAshley was psychic on the tree with an .027 RT, winning the final round on a holeshot,”
he wrote — Tony Stewart, Driver.
“All in all, we accomplished a lot this weekend, and this TSR Nitro team is ready to take on the countdown,”
Tony Stewart added. — Tony Stewart, Driver.
Earlier this season, Stewart secured his maiden NHRA victory at the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals before adding another title at the Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Illinois. These achievements have underscored his rapid ascent and credibility within the NHRA ranks, raising expectations for the upcoming Countdown rounds.
Drawing Parallels Between US Nationals and Brickyard Triumphs
Stewart, a Hoosier native and former Cup Series champion, likened the anticipation leading up to finals day at the U.S. Nationals to the feelings he experienced before his Indianapolis Brickyard 400 wins in 2005 and 2007. This connection reflects both the personal stakes and historical weight of competing in Indiana for Stewart.
“It was just weird when I woke up this morning. I had the same feeling as the two years we won the Brickyard. You can’t explain it. You just know what you know. Doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee, but it puts you in the right frame of mind,”
he said in an interview with Autoweek. — Tony Stewart, Driver.
After retiring as a full-time NASCAR driver in 2016, Stewart maintained his commitment to motorsport as a team owner, most notably with the Stewart-Haas team until it ceased operations last year. His transition to NHRA Top Fuel came as he replaced Leah Pruett, his wife, during her pregnancy, competing under his own outfit, Tony Stewart Racing Nitro.
In his rookie campaign, Stewart earned Rookie of The Year honors and has now achieved a rare feat by capturing major titles in IndyCar, NASCAR, SRX, and NHRA. He credits companies such as Dodge for the foundation of his team’s progress, attributing part of TSR Nitro’s momentum to strategic manufacturer support.
What This Win Means for Stewart and the NHRA Landscape
By securing the regular season title, Stewart has not only strengthened his legacy across motorsport disciplines but also ignited new excitement for the NHRA playoffs. Competing against formidable drivers like Justin Ashley, Jasmine Salinas, Kyle Wurtzel, Steve Torrence, Shawn Langdon, and Doug Kalitta, Stewart’s path to the U.S. Nationals final and regular season dominance demonstrates his adaptability and grit. As the Countdown begins, Stewart stands at the forefront, determined to convert his points lead into postseason success and, perhaps, secure that elusive victory at his storied home event.
