LAS VEGAS — Tony Stewart knew very effectively the importance of his first NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection triumph Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The three-time NASCAR Cup Collection champion, who ran his first drag race two years in the past and started competing full time within the High Gas 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-Large Nationals.
“Two years in the past, I gained 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 Gas nationwide occasion on the Strip,” Stewart stated. “It’s fairly rattling cool. I’ve been a motorsports fan my entire life, and I feel we made racing historical past at this time with the High Gas win. I’m undecided 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 Gas).
“To do it with our group 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 bought so emotional there. That could 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 automobiles round me,” he stated. “It’s robust for the blokes who should not used to 4 automobiles racing without delay. We are able to’t get to Charlotte quick sufficient with the following four-wide setup. I like the format.
“I feel we had an excellent shot to win this race outright at this time. We gained all three rounds. The monitor and warmth circumstances have been an equalizer too. The circumstances have been very tough. It made it a tuner’s recreation and our guys have been the distinction. I can now say I’ve gained professional occasions on all 4 tracks at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it is rather satisfying as a racing driver.”
It took Stewart 24 races to earn his first High Gas triumph.
“I haven’t been across the NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection very lengthy, however I spotted it takes rather a lot to win one in all these High Gas races,” he stated. “In my profession, I’ve by no means needed to wait over a 12 months to win a race. We at all times figured it out fairly shortly and we gained. I had two ‘holeshot’ wins within the first two rounds at this time and my worst response time was within the remaining, however the TSR Rayce Rudeen Basis crew gave me an excellent automobile within the remaining. Neal Strausbaugh (crew chief) and Mike Domagala (co-crew chief) and the entire crew gained that remaining spherical for us at this time. We wanted this win.
“It’s been so irritating for everybody since Leah (Pruett – Stewart’s spouse) almost gained the world High Gas championship in 2023 when it got here right down to the ultimate spherical of the entire season,” Stewart famous. “We had loads of modifications for the group as a result of my physique weight is totally different. Automotive 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 12 months.”
Stewart is now second within the standings, 16 factors behind chief Shawn Langdon.
