LAS VEGAS — Tony Stewart knew very effectively the importance of his first NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Sequence triumph Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The three-time NASCAR Cup Sequence champion, who ran his first drag race two years in the past and commenced competing full time within the High Gasoline class in 2024, added to a jam-packed racing résumé when he defeated Antron Brown, Justin Ashley and Jasmine Salinas within the remaining spherical of the NHRA 4-Huge Nationals.
“Two years in the past, I received my first NHRA nationwide occasion within the High Alcohol Dragster right here at Las Vegas with McPhillips Racing, and now I win my first High Gasoline nationwide occasion on the Strip,” Stewart stated. “It’s fairly rattling cool. I’ve been a motorsports fan my complete life, and I believe we made racing historical past at present with the High Gasoline win. I’m unsure if there has ever been a driver to win a NASCAR Cup race, an IndyCar race, the USAC Triple Crown championship and an NHRA Professional occasion (High Gasoline).
“To do it with our crew and our household was very emotional. When Leah introduced Dom (their new child son) up on stage in victory lane, my coronary heart stopped. I obtained so emotional there. That may be a feeling I’ve by no means had in my life earlier than.”
Stewart believes that four-wide drag racing turns the tables in his favor.
“The four-wide setup is the equalizer for me. I’m used to racing with many vehicles round me,” he stated. “It’s robust for the fellows who will not be used to 4 vehicles racing directly. We are able to’t get to Charlotte quick sufficient with the following four-wide setup. I like the format.
“I believe we had an amazing shot to win this race outright at present. We received all three rounds. The monitor and warmth circumstances had been an equalizer too. The circumstances had been very tough. It made it a tuner’s sport and our guys had been the distinction. I can now say I’ve received professional occasions on all 4 tracks at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it is vitally satisfying as a racing driver.”
It took Stewart 24 races to earn his first High Gasoline triumph.
“I haven’t been across the NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Sequence very lengthy, however I noticed it takes lots to win considered one of these High Gasoline races,” he stated. “In my profession, I’ve by no means needed to wait over a yr to win a race. We at all times figured it out fairly rapidly and we received. I had two ‘holeshot’ wins within the first two rounds at present and my worst response time was within the remaining, however the TSR Rayce Rudeen Basis crew gave me an amazing automobile within the remaining. Neal Strausbaugh (crew chief) and Mike Domagala (co-crew chief) and the entire crew received that remaining spherical for us at present. We would have liked this win.
“It’s been so irritating for everybody since Leah (Pruett – Stewart’s spouse) practically received the world High Gasoline championship in 2023 when it got here all the way down to the ultimate spherical of the entire season,” Stewart famous. “We had loads of adjustments for the crew as a result of my physique weight is totally different. Automobile tubing is totally different, and it simply takes time. It was irritating as we simply couldn’t get on a path to make constant good points final yr.”
Stewart is now second within the standings, 16 factors behind chief Shawn Langdon.
