Tony Stewart, a motorsports legend and recent father, experienced a frightening incident in the NHRA when his Top Fuel dragster was involved in a major crash at Maple Grove Raceway. The episode, which forced Stewart to reflect on the potential severity of the accident, brought visible relief as he acknowledged things could have gone much worse, with “Tony Stewart NHRA crash relief” becoming a theme in his recent public remarks.
Veteran Racer Faces High-Speed Danger
Now 54, Stewart boasts titles in IndyCar, NASCAR, USAC, and SRX, among others, and continues to add new challenges to his storied career by competing in NHRA Top Fuel, where he pilots his wife’s powerful dragster. After earning the Rookie of the Year title last season, Stewart occupies the second spot in the points standings and is a strong contender for the championship as the season nears its conclusion.
Despite his drive for victory, Stewart faced a major setback when disaster struck during the second round of eliminations at Maple Grove Raceway. The Top Fuel format, featuring pairs of drivers racing head-to-head in a knockout style, saw Stewart racing against Doug Kalitta, a respected veteran of the NHRA circuit. Although Kalitta is usually known for his experience and precision, the race swiftly turned hazardous after Kalitta lost his car’s left front wheel, sending his machine veering into Stewart’s lane.
Stewart Recounts the Terrifying Crash
As his dragster ended up on its side and slammed the outside wall, Stewart was left shaken but unharmed. Privately, he later reviewed footage of the incident and realized just how dire the consequences could have been had circumstances shifted only slightly. Sharing his thoughts on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Stewart explained how NHRA cars, capable of exceeding 300 miles per hour, have unique cockpit designs that limit peripheral vision for safety.
“The way our cars are, the windshields don’t come all the way back to your peripheral vision. It’s out further because you’re running 300 miles an hour. You don’t need to know what’s directly 90 degrees. You don’t need to know what’s in your blind spot. So, I don’t even see him coming. And when I climb his wheel, it gets up, and looking at it on video, I’m glad it didn’t get over the wall. If it got over the wall, it was going to be a much larger crash.”
– Tony Stewart, NHRA Drag Racer
The intensity of the crash was heightened by the immense horsepower and speed characteristic of Top Fuel racing. Stewart pointed out that though both vehicles were decelerating after crossing the finish line, they still collided at a tremendous 240 miles per hour. This made it the fastest crash in Stewart’s extensive racing history, which stretches across various motorsport disciplines at different speed levels.
“We made contact at 240 mph. Holy crap. So, it’s definitely the fastest crash. Somebody put something online and said, ‘Well, you’ve crashed under 100 miles an hour. You’ve crashed over 100 miles an hour. You’ve crashed over 200 miles an hour. Now over 300 miles an hour. It’s probably enough.’ Yeah. So, I’m with them. I don’t really want to crash anymore. But it just was a crazy circumstance,”
– Tony Stewart, NHRA Drag Racer
Past Experiences Shape Stewart’s Perspective
From his time on NASCAR road courses, where he faced crashes under 100 miles an hour, to his days in IndyCar racing at speeds well above 200 miles per hour, Stewart has weathered collisions in every type of competitive vehicle. The latest incident, however, marked a new threshold in velocity and risk, with his NHRA experience demanding even more respect for both car and circumstance.
Despite the harrowing experience, Stewart remains committed to racing and continues to prepare for the next event. His relentless pursuit of the championship means he will return to the driver’s seat at the earliest opportunity, undeterred by the recent scare. Doug Kalitta’s unexpected involvement and the sheer unpredictable nature of motorsport only underscore the dangers all drivers face, but Stewart’s determination to succeed for his team and family remains unshaken.
Implications for the Season Ahead
As the NHRA championship battle intensifies, Stewart’s survival of such a severe crash without injury highlights both the skill and fortune required in top-tier motorsport. The Maple Grove Raceway incident will likely influence Stewart’s approach in upcoming races, but his competitive spirit shows no signs of waning. With five events left in the season and his championship bid on the line, Stewart’s experience, courage, and recent “Tony Stewart NHRA crash relief” continue to capture the attention of fans and competitors alike.
