Even at 53, Tony Stewart showed why he is still one of the most iconic names in NASCAR. Alongside his long list of controversies, Stewart’s list of records is equally significant. Besides, he is one of the few drivers whose achievements do not stop just in NASCAR. Stewart has made his mark in IndyCar, Stock Racing, Chili Bowl, and most recently in the National Hot Rod Association.
After his win in the NHRA Top Fuel at Las Vegas, Stewart appeared on SiriusXM Radio. Soon after, he gave a major hint about his potential return to NASCAR.
Tony Stewart’s Run in NHRA
A four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Stewart did not vacation after retirement. He stayed connected to track in different capacities as a racer and a team owner. He went back to his Dirt Track Racing roots and thrived. In 2021, he co-founded the short-track competition Superstar Racing Experience with Ray Evernham.
This was followed by his entry into the NHRA. Stewart’s initial introduction to the tournament was through his wife, Leah Pruett, an NHRA veteran. The sport’s raw intensity kept him coming back for more. In 2022, Stewart officially joined the competition and raced in the Top Alcohol Dragster category. The same year, he launched his NHRA team named Tony Stewart Racing.
The following year, he continued in the same category while racing part-time. While he continued to impress with his performances, he did not win any major titles. In 2024, Stewart moved to the highest tier in NHRA, Top Fuel. He came in as a replacement driver for his wife, who took a hiatus from racing to attend to family matters. That year, Stewart fully adapted to the intricacies of NHRA.
Then came April 14, when Stewart won his first national NHRA race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the last round of the competition, he finished his run in 3.870 seconds at a speed of 317.42 mph. With this feat, he became the first racer in the world to win a NASCAR and an NHRA race.
Will Stewart Return to NASCAR?
After his NASCAR retirement in 2016, he was still active in the circuit with his team, Stewart-Haas Racing. However, after the team closed its doors in 2024, he was not officially connected to the sport except for having his Hall of Famer hard card.
In his appearance on SiriusXM Radio, Stewart confessed that he missed NASCAR and everything about it. Although he did not specify the capacity in which he’d be returning to NASCAR, Stewart confirmed that he would be returning to the track.
“I’m definitely planning on coming back to NASCAR races. As a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, I get a hard card. I don’t know if NASCAR has the ability to revoke that or not, but until they do revoke it, I’m going to take advantage of having a hard card.” he said. “I definitely want to come back and see everybody.”
Stewart also revealed what he missed the most about NASCAR and said he couldn’t wait to return. “I miss a lot of things about NASCAR and, most of all, the people. The people are what I enjoyed about it and the relationships I had there. Definitely looking forward to coming back and seeing everybody.”
Stewart did not mention exactly when folks can expect him back. However, his return to the NASCAR tracks would be an iconic moment.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
