Former NASCAR champion Tony Stewart is causing a stir in the NHRA Nationals with a career-best performance at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Clocking a blistering 3.679-second pass during qualifying, Stewart secured the number two spot for Sunday’s eliminations, setting the stage for an intense showdown at Joliet, Illinois.
Behind the wheel of the 14 Dodge for Tony Stewart Racing Nitro, the racing legend is eyeing his first-ever victory at Route 66, adding to his recent triumph at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Stewart’s victory in the four-wide nationals in Las Vegas solidified his position as the only driver to conquer all forms of motorsports at the iconic venue.
In a thrilling third round of qualifications, the 53-year-old outpaced Antron Brown, achieving a career-best elapsed time of 3.679 seconds at an impressive speed of 332.43 MPH. Stewart, brimming with excitement, shared his emotions on Instagram, expressing confidence in the speed of his car, stating, “We’ve got some speed now.”
Despite this remarkable feat, Stewart fell short of surpassing Brittany Force’s exceptional record in the NHRA racing series, both in elapsed time and speed. Currently sitting second in the standings with 392 points, Stewart is determined to close the gap with championship leader Shawn Langdon.
Reflecting on his departure from NASCAR, Stewart revealed his mixed feelings about stepping down as the team owner of Stewart-Haas Racing during Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. Highlighting the challenges and changes in NASCAR, Stewart expressed his bittersweet sentiments about the evolution of the sport, acknowledging the shifting priorities and dynamics that influenced his decision.
Following his departure from NASCAR, Stewart ventured into NHRA racing, establishing his own team alongside his wife, Leah Pruett. Meanwhile, Stewart-Haas Racing, under the co-ownership of Gene Haas, faced setbacks after losing key sponsors and Ford’s backing, leading to the eventual closure of the team after a successful 16-year run in NASCAR.
As Tony Stewart continues to make waves in the world of motorsports, his relentless pursuit of excellence and passion for racing solidify his status as a true icon in the industry. Stay tuned as Stewart gears up for more thrilling races and endeavors in the dynamic realm of motorsports.
