Tony Stewart, once a prominent figure in NASCAR, has shifted his focus completely to NHRA Drag Racing, stepping away from stock car racing, ownership, and television analysis. This notable change in direction was fueled by the Tony Stewart NHRA crash, a moment that brought both shock and concern during his recent racing endeavors.
The move to NHRA gained momentum when his wife, Leah Pruett, decided to step aside from driving to start a family. Stewart took her place behind the wheel, resulting in impressive performances but also leading to a harrowing incident that had the drag racing community on edge regarding Stewart’s wellbeing.
Details of the Crash at Maple Grove Raceway
The alarming event occurred on September 14, 2025, in the second round of Top Fuel eliminations at Maple Grove Raceway. As the pair of drivers sped through the shutdown area, Doug Kalitta’s dragster unexpectedly veered over the center line after crossing the finish, striking Stewart’s car in the left lane. The violent contact flipped Stewart’s dragster onto its side before it returned to all four wheels and collided with the left guard wall, while Kalitta’s car also lost control.
Despite the severity of the impact, both drivers managed to exit their vehicles on their own, fully alert and responsive. On-site evaluations by NHRA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Surface resulted in both Stewart and Kalitta being cleared without need for further medical treatment.
Stewart Opens Up About the Aftermath
Following the crash, Stewart appeared on the Dale Jr. Download podcast to discuss the incident and clarify his perspective. He made it a point to remove any notion of blame from Doug Kalitta, highlighting the unpredictable nature of racing and the effort to prevent a more serious accident. Despite his resilience, Stewart acknowledged the physical repercussions of the collision.
“I’ve been knocked out a lot. That’s the problem. I asked Leah ‘Why do they keep asking me if I’m okay?”
– Tony Stewart, NHRA Driver
The repeated concern shown by his wife Leah Pruett and others prompted Stewart to reexamine the crash footage closely, particularly to assess any signs of head injury.
“And she goes, ‘Watch the replay. Don’t watch the tires, don’t watch the pipes, and the cylinders going out,’ she goes, ‘just focus on your head, watch your head.’ I watched the replay in slow motion, my head it looks like I am trying to shove my head through the dashboard. It goes forward so fast.”
– Tony Stewart, NHRA Driver
Reactions and Ongoing Effects on Stewart
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who observed the aftermath, commented on Stewart’s apparent sluggishness while exiting the car, which further fanned speculation about his condition. Stewart, however, took a lighthearted approach, joking that he rarely walks briskly even under normal circumstances. Still, he later admitted to experiencing considerable discomfort.
“I felt like somebody dropped a 15-pound bowling ball off the top of a large stepladder on top of my head for about six straight hours. But that got better,”
– Tony Stewart, NHRA Driver
The physical effects were reminiscent of past crashes Stewart endured in NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and sprint cars. He described the days following the accident as being marked by intense stiffness and muscle soreness, likening himself to a telephone pole due to the rigidity he felt in his body.
Stewart’s Recovery Strategy and What Comes Next
Despite the painful aftermath, Stewart relied on his instincts as a veteran racer to recover. Rather than taking extended time off, he felt the best remedy for physical stiffness was to return to racing as soon as possible, believing that the act of driving would help shake off the lingering aches and knots.
This incident stands as a turning point in Stewart’s NHRA journey, underscoring the risks inherent in high-level drag racing and the resilience required to overcome them. While Stewart continues to be a formidable figure in the sport, the Tony Stewart NHRA crash serves as a sobering reminder of motorsport’s dangers and the enduring spirit that defines drivers like Stewart, Doug Kalitta, and Leah Pruett on racetracks such as Maple Grove Raceway and beyond.
.@TonyStewart is the definition of bad-to-the-bone. 🤯🚦 #BestOfDaleJrDownload@DaleJr | @NHRA pic.twitter.com/BZMOiCzAEs
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) December 20, 2025
