LAS VEGAS — Tony Stewart knew very nicely 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 Gas class in 2024, added to a jam-packed racing résumé when he defeated Antron Brown, Justin Ashley and Jasmine Salinas within the last spherical of the NHRA 4-Extensive 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 Gas nationwide occasion on the Strip,” Stewart mentioned. “It’s fairly rattling cool. I’ve been a motorsports fan my complete life, and I feel we made racing historical past in the present day with the High Gas 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 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 received 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 automobiles round me,” he mentioned. “It’s robust for the blokes who aren’t used to 4 automobiles racing directly. We will’t get to Charlotte quick sufficient with the subsequent four-wide setup. I really like the format.
“I feel we had an awesome shot to win this race outright in the present day. We received all three rounds. The monitor and warmth situations have been an equalizer too. The situations have been very tough. It made it a tuner’s sport and our guys have 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 Gas triumph.
“I haven’t been across the NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Sequence very lengthy, however I spotted it takes so much to win one in all these High Gas races,” he mentioned. “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 shortly and we received. I had two ‘holeshot’ wins within the first two rounds in the present day and my worst response time was within the last, however the TSR Rayce Rudeen Basis crew gave me an awesome automotive within the last. Neal Strausbaugh (crew chief) and Mike Domagala (co-crew chief) and the entire crew received that last spherical for us in the present day. We wanted this win.
“It’s been so nerve-racking for everybody since Leah (Pruett – Stewart’s spouse) almost received 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 numerous modifications for the group 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 beneficial properties final yr.”
Stewart is now second within the standings, 16 factors behind chief Shawn Langdon.
