Fans Bow to the Legend of Tony Stewart as He Inches Closer to Championship

In 2023, Tony Stewart was no longer chasing trophies behind a stock car wheel. Instead, he was answering a call much closer to home. When Leah Pruett, his wife and one of NHRA’s fiercest Top Fuel drivers, decided to step away to focus on starting a family, a door opened. Not for just any racer, but for a man who had already conquered NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC. “It’s not a decision we made lightly. But we had to think about what life looks like when you want to grow your family,” Pruett said.

Stewart didn’t ask for the job. But when crew chief Neal Strausbaugh and Pruett needed someone to step in, their answer was already in the garage. “My goal is to not suck, to not get fired by my wife and to not kill myself driving this thing,” Stewart joked when the announcement came. Still, this wasn’t just about filling a seat, it was about carrying the pride of a family, a team, and a legacy. Stewart, who had just come off a full season in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class, knew the weight of what he was stepping into.

Pruett had just finished third in points. The dragster was fast. The expectations, sky high. But Stewart, ever the competitor, wasn’t backing down. Now, less than two years later, Stewart is no longer just “filling in.” He’s contending. With a win in Las Vegas and a second at Route 66 Raceway, the Hall of Famer leads the Top Fuel standings. Fans aren’t just surprised, they’re awestruck. From filling a temporary seat to steering toward a championship, Stewart has reignited a fanbase that thought it had already seen his best. Turns out, “Smoke” still has more fire left.

Tony Stewart dominates on the traditional NHRA track!

Tony Stewart’s second Top Fuel win came with style, speed, and signature grit. At the Route 66 Nationals, Stewart lined up against Justin Ashley, one of the most feared names in the class. Ashley had left the line with a .042 reaction time, but Stewart was right there at .048 and powered past with a 3.777-second run at 329.10 mph. “You’ve got to believe we’re real now at this point. Even in Vegas, I said we’re making progress. But to be the points leader now? That means something,” Stewart said.

Every pass down the track looked like a man driving with purpose. Stewart eliminated Terry Totten, Shawn Reed, and Steve Torrence before meeting Ashley in the final. “I knew the left lane was our lane. We had great data there from the semis, and I told Leah, ‘I just need to keep doing what got me here,’” Stewart said. The strategy worked. He charged past Ashley, and the Wally trophy was his again. The win marked his fourth straight final round appearance and pushed him into the points lead by a slim margin over Shawn Langdon. While a few questioned Smoke’s ability to step up to the challenge in the Top Fuel dragster, he’s now shut down all the noise. And his long-time fans suddenly found their voice back, rallying behind their favorite driver.

One fan captured the mood best: “Never doubted him for a second. For Tony, it is only a matter of time. I’m happy I picked him to be my favorite driver when I was 11 years old. Only guy I root for in racing.” And the numbers back that faith, Stewart has now made two wins in just his second year in Top Fuel and has earned more final-round appearances in the last month than some veterans notch in a season.

Stewart’s journey isn’t just about wins; it’s about range. This is the same man who conquered NASCAR’s grueling schedule three times, won an IndyCar title, and swept the USAC Triple Crown in a single year. That’s sprint cars, midgets, and Silver Crown, all in one season. No one else has done that. Now he’s adding Top Fuel Wallys to his shelf. No other driver in motorsports has succeeded across multiple disciplines. Stewart is built differently as he’s been winning for 30 years in cars that go in circles, cars that slide sideways, and now cars that hit 330 mph in under four seconds.

Notably, behind him, the competition struggled to match his pace. Justin Ashley had a strong day, knocking out Brittany Force, Antron Brown, and Doug Kalitta. But he couldn’t hold off Stewart in the finals. Shawn Langdon, who had been the points leader, went out early. Meanwhile, Funny Car winner Jack Beckman and Gaige Herrera in Pro Stock Motorcycle celebrated class wins of their own, but the buzz belonged to Stewart. He now sits atop the Top Fuel standings with 514 points. While Kyle Larson and Max Verstappen can debate all they want on who is the best driver, fans seem to have made their pick.

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Fans settle the GOAT debate!

There’s something magical about watching a legend refuse to fade. For Tony Stewart fans, this NHRA run feels like a gift. And they’re not shy about showing it. “Tony is a GOAT of motorsports, it’s really not much more complicated than that,” a user posted. Simple, direct, and true. GOAT status isn’t about hype; it’s about receipts. Last year, he was about to get his first win at Sonoma, but Anton Brown played a spoiler to Smoke’s breakthrough moment. But, with two wins already this year, he is now en route to winning the championship, and it won’t be a surprise if he does that.

Another user echoed the sentiments and said, “IMO the best driver to ever be dedicated to NASCAR. Winning three championships in NASCAR, winning an IndyCar championship, winning the USAC triple crown (let alone in one season), and winning Top Fuel races are all lifetime accomplishments on their own, and he’s done them all.” That’s the level of greatness we’re witnessing. It’s not just that Stewart can win, it’s that he wins where others only dream.

And it’s not just about the numbers. It’s how Stewart looks on the track now. “Smoke is looking comfortable now in that TF car. I’m looking forward to listening to him on the broadcast next weekend at the Indy 500,” another fan said. That comment reflects something deeper in respect. Not to forget, we have Kyle Larson looking to replicate Stewart’s 2001 Memorial Day Double. If he does that, we might have a contender for Stewart in terms of versatility, but still Smoke would have the edge because of his wins across different formats.

Even casual fans are being pulled in. “Could Tony do as well in a Funny Car?” one asked. “Gotta admit I’m not an NHRA watcher and don’t know the differences between TF and FC. I think TF has more horsepower, and obviously is designed much differently, but that’s it.” Stewart is bridging gaps between audiences. His presence is pulling NASCAR fans into drag racing and creating fresh engagement for NHRA. In the end, it’s clear: Tony Stewart isn’t just winning races. He’s winning over a new era of fans.