Tony Stewart’s Harrowing NHRA Crash: “I Feel Like a Telephone Pole” – A Racer’s Resilience on Display!
In a heart-stopping moment that had fans on the edge of their seats, NASCAR legend Tony Stewart faced a terrifying crash during the NHRA playoff-opening race in Reading, Pennsylvania. The three-time NASCAR Cup champion, now blazing a trail in NHRA drag racing, shared insights into his frightening ordeal on the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, sending shockwaves through the motorsports community.
Stewart, who recently announced a merger between Rico Abreu’s family-owned sprint car team and Tony Stewart Racing, was thrust into chaos when competitor Doug Kalitta’s car suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure. It veered into Stewart’s Top Fuel dragster, which was rocketing past at over 330 mph, leading to a spectacular collision that sent Stewart’s machine skidding on its side for more than 100 feet before miraculously righting itself.
Emerging from the wreckage under his own power, a visibly shaken Stewart reassured fans that he escaped serious injury. “I don’t move super-fast anyway on a good day,” he joked, as he recounted the grim aftermath of the incident. The racer’s trademark humor shone through as he described his post-accident condition: “I feel fine… I felt like somebody had literally dropped a 15-pound bowling ball off the top of a large step ladder right on top of my head for about six straight hours.” After three days of recovery, he likened himself to “a telephone pole,” with tight and sore muscles but ready to race again.
This crash marked the first major incident of Stewart’s nearly two-year journey in the high-octane world of Top Fuel drag racing, and he expressed hopes that it would be his last. “We’ve had bad wrecks in Cup cars and Xfinity cars and sprint cars,” he quipped, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of danger. “The best thing you can do is just get right back in the car. That’s what loosens it up.”
And true to his word, Stewart is gearing up to get back behind the wheel this weekend at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina. With the spring race behind him, where he finished third, Stewart’s focus is now on reclaiming his position in the NHRA Top Fuel championship standings. Following the Reading crash, he slipped from first to second place, trailing Kalitta by a mere 18 points.
As the NHRA Countdown to the Championship enters its critical final stretch with five races remaining, Stewart remains firmly in contention for this year’s title. His pursuit of racing supremacy would etch his name in history as the first driver to conquer championships across IndyCar, NASCAR Cup, USAC Midgets, and the now-defunct IROC and Superstar Racing Experience series.
In a poignant twist, Stewart is preparing to pass the torch to his wife, Leah Pruett, after this season. Pruett, who took a break from racing to start a family—welcoming their son Dominic last November—has been itching to return to the track. Having achieved a career-high third-place finish in the Top Fuel ranks this year, her return promises to bring fresh excitement to the sport.
As the motorsport world rallies behind Tony Stewart in the wake of this alarming crash, one thing is clear: his indomitable spirit and relentless drive to compete will continue to inspire fans and fellow racers alike. Buckle up—Stewart is back, and you won’t want to miss what’s next!
