Tony Stewart NHRA Top Fuel competitor and former NASCAR Cup champion faced new complications at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals when a fuel leak and cylinder failure forced repairs on his Top Fuel dragster at zMax Dragway. Despite the setback coming on the heels of a dramatic crash at Maple Grove Raceway just a week prior, Stewart and his team remain determined to continue their championship pursuit.
During Friday’s qualifying at the Carolina Nationals on September 19, Stewart’s TSR Dodge Top Fuel dragster experienced a critical fuel leak resulting in a cylinder failure that ignited a fire even before the Q1 run began. Crew chief Neal quickly halted the attempt, opting to shut the car down for safety, after detecting odd cylinder behavior during the backup process.
“We rolled up for Q1, did the burnout, and identified an erratic cylinder on the backup. My crew chief, Neal, made the right call to shut the car down and skip the run rather than yard-sale a #HEMI. Back in the pit, the hunt for the culprit was on, but no dice.”
— Tony Stewart, Driver
The crew spent extensive time searching for the source of the misfire, ultimately rebuilding parts of the dragster due to the elusive technical problem.
“We couldn’t identify what caused cylinder #2 to turn into a fire-breathing dragon at idle RPM. That forced us to build from the block up and get things turned around for the hero session,”
he added. — Tony Stewart, Driver
After repairs, Stewart managed a qualifying run of 3.760 seconds at 329.67 mph, which notably placed him ninth in the Top Fuel lineup. Brittany Force, another prominent competitor, achieved the provisional No. 1 qualifying position with a stellar qualifying time of 3.698 seconds at 338.85 mph, demonstrating the tight competition in the field. Despite not topping the charts, Stewart’s resilience showed with a solid performance under pressure.
Reflecting his relentless determination, Stewart voiced on social media:
“The Countdown has shown us no mercy thus far, but we’ll keep fighting for it. 😎 ,”
Tony Stewart wrote on X. — Tony Stewart, Driver
This finish echoes his appearance last year at the same event, where he started 14th in qualifying and was eliminated in the opening round, highlighting the challenge and unpredictability of Top Fuel racing.
Recovering From Maple Grove Crash, Still in Contention
Just a week prior, Stewart endured a harrowing incident in the NHRA Countdown opener at Maple Grove Raceway. Facing Doug Kalitta, Stewart became involved in a terrifying crash during round two of eliminations. Kalitta’s dragster lost the front left wheel while traveling at more than 335 mph, veering into Stewart’s lane. The contact flipped Stewart’s dragster onto its side, causing it to strike the wall and leaving Stewart briefly unconscious. Fortunately, both drivers sustained only minor injuries.
Despite the crash, Stewart entered the Carolina Nationals second in the points standings for the Top Fuel championship, just 19 points behind current leader Doug Kalitta. His performance this year has included two significant Top Fuel victories, including a key win at the Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas in April. Stewart’s persistence and skill highlight his strong push for the championship even as new setbacks arise.
Looking Forward: Team Changes and 2026 Season Outlook
Looking ahead, Stewart’s team is preparing for future changes in the NHRA Top Fuel landscape. Leah Pruett, a notable figure in the category, is set to return and assume Stewart’s seat at Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) in 2026. Stewart is also set to keep racing in Top Fuel, moving to drive Elite Motorsports’ dragster as the organization recently acquired Josh Hart Racing’s Top Fuel operation. These moves mark a new chapter for Stewart’s competitive journey and introduce strategic adjustments aimed at maintaining performance in an ever-evolving series.
Within the Nitro ranks, this period is marked by challenging adversity for Stewart’s crew, rapid-fire repairs, and a championship battle running high on intensity. The unwavering determination displayed after incidents at both Maple Grove and the Carolina Nationals underscores Stewart’s commitment and the demands of NHRA Top Fuel racing. With support from his crew, including Neal, and plans for future expansion with Leah Pruett and Elite Motorsports, Stewart’s response to both mechanical trouble and on-track incidents emphasizes the resilience needed for long-term success in the sport.
The coming months will be crucial for Stewart as he aims to close the points gap against Doug Kalitta and secure more wins for Tony Stewart Racing. Fans can anticipate high-stakes performances and team developments as the NHRA season continues toward its next chapter, forging ahead in a relentless pursuit of the Top Fuel title.
After my incident in Maple Grove last weekend, I was ready to get back on the horse.
We rolled up for Q1, did the burnout, and identified an erratic cylinder on the backup. My crew chief, Neal, made the right call to shut the car down and skip the run rather than yard-sale a… pic.twitter.com/7J0KgsQOY0
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) September 20, 2025
