“It’s never taken me more than a year to a win a race in a series. I’ve always figured it out in the first year—with multiple wins normally.” Emotions were running high for Tony Stewart after clinching his first NHRA Top Fuel win at the 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. After enduring a tough rookie season, Stewart finally found the checkered flag marking his era of domination in the premier drag racing series. Mind you, he did this at the age of 53.

With championship triumphs across NASCAR, IndyCar and Sprint car racing, this NHRA win by Smoke was another feather in his already decorated hat. He is the guy who can win in anything that basically runs on four wheels and an engine, and after he cleared off the NHRA milestone, everyone kept guessing – what’s next for Tony Stewart? Where does he fancy his chances as a race car driver to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet?

Stewart’s Relentless Pursuit of Figure-8 Fantasies

“You’ve pretty much driven everything with wheels on it at this point. Is there one thing you haven’t gotten behind the wheel of? Like damn, I really wanna do that.” Stewart was asked a straightforward question on the Rubbing is Racing podcast. The answer, anyway, contained more than just curiosity for a man who has raced everything from NASCAR stock cars to Top Fuel dragsters.

“I’ve joked around about it. The only thing I haven’t driven was a swamp buggy in Florida… and at the time we were thinking about it was a figure-8 car,” Stewart replied. He wasn’t joking. Stewart had initially considered participating in the storied quarter-mile oval known as the Indianapolis Speedrome, which is where the Figure 8 World Championship got its start. It’s an illogical racing style that rewards drivers with steely nerves and quick reflexes, two qualities Stewart never lacked. A demanding, demolition-derby-meets-endurance-race event, the 3-hour Figure 8 Championship is more than just a show. Although Stewart always believed it was “cool to try,” until reality eventually caught up with him.

“I take an extra hot, extra long shower to loosen everything up… and realize after breaking my back four times that maybe a figure 8 car is not only not a career choice, but not even a ‘let’s go try this’ kind of thing. I would love to do that race. But physically, as time goes on… I don’t know if my back could take it,” he added. He wasn’t being excessive. Devastating injuries have plagued Stewart’s career, including a 2013 sprint car incident in Iowa that resulted in a T12 vertebra burst fracture. He could not drive for months after that incident, and it almost ended his driving career. Forcing him to miss out on the final 15 races of the NASCAR season. But this wasn’t the only racing event on Smoke’s wishlist. 

“I’d love to try the Baja 1000. I just physically don’t know if my back can take it. I would do it in a heartbeat, I would love to do that race.” The Baja 1000 is a survival test more than just a race. The off-road marathon, which takes place every year in the Mexican desert, has seen competitors like Travis Pastrana, Jimmie Johnson, and even Formula One champions trying to establish themselves in the wild. However, in contrast to most motorsports, Baja tests a driver’s physical and mental stamina and the limits of their spine and joints. The ramifications are real for someone who has already had several back fractures.

Every victory, whether in IndyCar, NASCAR, or dirt, had a cost, and Stewart is currently adjusting. He still has the temptation to try crazy stuff like figure-8s, Baja, and swamp buggies, but he now understands when to stop. The objective has changed, but he may not be finished racing. For Stewart, everything was never just about racing. Interestingly, Stewart is also sending out invites to his former rivals to join him in his new adventure. 

Trending

1

“RIP” – Brad Keselowski and Racing Family Joined in Mourning After the Loss of Close Confidant

2

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Recalls How Chase Elliott’s Father Antagonized the Intimidator Even Off the Track

3

Denny Hamlin Appeals to Joe Gibbs for a Move Away From the Cup Series Amid Declining Quality

4

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Former Crew Chief Makes Bold NASCAR Move Set To Power Up New Chassis Revolution

5

Tony Stewart Reveals How NASCAR Has Alienated Itself From Its Most Loyal Fans

Tony Stewart invites Dale Jr. to the drag racing world

Dale Jr. isn’t known to be the most versatile race car driver. Most of his racing career has been around the ovals and pavement. But recently, he collaborated with YouTube sensation Cleetus McFarland and piloted the turbo-charged Dale Truck. The truck has a special livery of the iconic #3 Goodwrench car, and Jr. wasn’t going to pass down an opportunity to drive the special ride.

He headed to Talladega Superspeedway and rocketed the truck from zero to 100 miles per hour in less than 600 feet. “I’m ready to go to a real strip. I want to run it on a real strip.” Jr. was left wanting more after the first experience. Well, Tony Stewart caught the wind of this and offered his former NASCAR rival a ride in his TSR Nitro dragster.

“I got a car, I’ll let him take some run if he wants, It’s an open invitation.” Stewart said. Well, Jr. did respond to the invite, stating, “I’m sure whatever I drove of his would be nice and safe. I guess that would be the only thing I would be worried about. I mean hell, he [Tony Stewart] figured it out, so that would be the guy to go to.”

It wasn’t a clear yes or no answer from Dale Jr., but the door is open for him if he wants to have a go at riding a dragster. NASCAR fans would turn up in numbers if the two veteran drivers competed in a drag race.