Tony Stewart has continued to pile up accolades and boost his racing resume since walking away from NASCAR. His latest accomplishment is capturing the top seed in the NHRA playoffs.
Stewart and his TSR Nitro team clinched the regular-season title in the Top Fuel division on Monday. He advanced to the second round of U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park alongside fellow contender Doug Kalitta.
Stewart defeated Kyle Wurtzel to advance to the third round of the biggest event on the NHRA calendar. Kalitta fell to Justin Ashley, which eliminated him from contention. Shawn Langdon, who started the day as the Top Fuel points leader, failed to advance beyond the first round.
Stewart did not stop winning after clinching the regular-season championship. He went out and defeated Jasmine Salinas in the third round to advance to the finals before ultimately falling to Justin Ashley.
Congratulations, @TonyStewart. Crowned the 2025 @NHRA Regular Season Champ in your home state! #TSRnitro | #NHRA | #Dodge | @Dodge pic.twitter.com/MU7aGSGwiS
— Tony Stewart Racing Nitro (@TSRnitro) September 1, 2025
"It was weird, when I woke up this morning," Stewart said, per Racer's Kelly Crandall. I had the same feeling the two years that we won the Brickyard 400. You can't explain it, you just know what you know.
This regular-season title provides multiple benefits to Stewart and TSR Nitro. The first is that the team clinched the $150,000 bonus that goes to the regular-season champion.
The second is that Stewart secured the top seed in the Top Fuel eliminators for the NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway.
Stewart joins three other regular-season champions representing the NHRA divisions. This includes Austin Prock in the Funny Car division, Dallas Glenn in the Pro Stock division, and Gaige Herrera in the Pro Stock Motorcycle division.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame member has delivered in his second full season as a Top Fuel driver.
He earned his first career Top Fuel win at Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas and then he scored another win at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Illinois.
Stewart then won the 2Fast2Tasty TF Challenge at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee.
Now, Stewart has the opportunity to go out and chase a championship in yet another racing series.