Tony Stewart and Doug Kalitta survived a high-speed crash during Sunday’s second round of the NHRA Reading Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, with both drivers walking away after Kalitta’s dragster collided with Stewart’s at over 335 mph. The Tony Stewart NHRA crash incident happened when Kalitta’s dragster lost a wheel, sending him across the track and sparking a dramatic accident between these two experienced competitors.
High-Speed Collision At Maple Grove Raceway
The crash unfolded after Doug Kalitta completed a 3.787-second run at 335.73 mph, driving the Mac Tools Dragster. As he crossed the finish line, the front left wheel on Kalitta’s vehicle failed, pushing him from his right lane into Tony Stewart’s Dodge Direct Connection Dragster, which had just finished a 326.71-mph run on the 1,000-foot track in Reading, PA. The impact caused Stewart’s dragster to flip onto its left side before landing upright and striking the left guardwall, while Kalitta’s car veered back into the center of the track until it came to a stop.
Kalitta exited his car quickly, while Stewart took longer to emerge. Both drivers were promptly evaluated by NHRA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Phil Surface, who assessed their condition at the scene before allowing them to leave.
Firsthand Accounts From the Drivers
Doug Kalitta, who has decades of experience racing Stewart in USAC Sprint Cars, addressed the incident, explaining:
“was down or blew or whatever. So yeah, it was just unfortunate, really. It just happened so quick that there was nothing I could really do. So just glad we’re going to [the semifinals]. We’ll drag our other car out and see if we can keep this thing going here, but fortunately Tony and I are good. So that’s really the main thing.”
—Doug Kalitta, Driver
He also offered his perspective on the severity and unpredictability of the crash:
“That’s probably the worst [wreck] that I’ve had, but yeah, it’s been very fortunate over the years. It’s all part of it.”
—Doug Kalitta, Driver
Tony Stewart, badly shaken by the experience, said he had no recollection of the moment of impact or the moments immediately following:
“I don’t have a damn clue, honestly. I honestly don’t know. I don’t remember any of it,”
—Tony Stewart, Driver
Stewart elaborated on his state after the crash, describing the confusion and his appreciation for the build quality of his car:
“I don’t have a damn clue, honestly. I honestly don’t know. I don’t remember any of it,”
—Tony Stewart, Driver
He added:
“So, I mean, looking at Doug’s car and my car, I’m glad PBRC [Precision Built Race Cars, of Brownsburg, Indiana] builds our cars,”
—Tony Stewart, Driver
“We got safe race cars, obviously, but I’m as curious as everybody else as to what happened. I just know we’re not where we’re supposed to be at the end of a run here. So . . . just confused.”
—Tony Stewart, Driver
The physical toll was evident, as Stewart stated:
“I’ve got one hell of a headache, and it banged my left hand up. But yeah, I mean, I’ve been through sprint-car crashes way worse than this, I’m pretty sure. So we’re good. We’re fine, I promise. We’re fine.”
—Tony Stewart, Driver
Immediate Aftermath And Next Steps
Both drivers were cleared by the NHRA’s medical team after their initial examinations. As a result of the collision, Kalitta’s team prepared a back-up dragster to continue into the semifinals. Stewart, although visibly rattled and suffering from a headache and a sore hand, confirmed his intention to compete in the upcoming race. Speaking about the next event, the Four-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, Stewart emphasized his resolve:
“I’m not going to miss that,”
—Tony Stewart, Driver
Impact On The NHRA Season
The Tony Stewart NHRA crash incident highlights the dangerous and unpredictable nature of drag racing, even among the sport’s most seasoned professionals. Kalitta and Stewart, both former USAC Sprint Car champions, have considerable experience with high-risk situations, yet Sunday’s incident served as a stark reminder of the forces involved at speeds exceeding 330 mph. As the NHRA season continues, both drivers’ swift recovery and readiness to return underscore their commitment and the safety advancements in modern race car design. The incident is also likely to prompt further review of safety standards and vehicle construction, as the racing community reflects on how Stewart and Kalitta walked away from such a catastrophic event.
With the playoff season in full swing, attention now turns to the upcoming Four-Wide Carolina Nationals, where Stewart is expected to return to competition despite his recent ordeal. Fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching as Kalitta and Stewart push forward in their quest for championship glory, demonstrating both the resilience of NHRA athletes and the advanced engineering behind the cars they drive.
