LAS VEGAS — Tony Stewart knew very effectively the importance of his first NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection triumph Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The three-time NASCAR Cup Collection champion, who ran his first drag race two years in the past and started competing full time within the Prime Gasoline 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-Broad Nationals.
“Two years in the past, I gained my first NHRA nationwide occasion within the Prime Alcohol Dragster right here at Las Vegas with McPhillips Racing, and now I win my first Prime Gasoline nationwide occasion on the Strip,” Stewart mentioned. “It’s fairly rattling cool. I’ve been a motorsports fan my complete life, and I believe we made racing historical past at present with the Prime Gasoline win. I’m undecided 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 (Prime Gasoline).
“To do it with our crew 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 bought so emotional there. That could 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 vehicles round me,” he mentioned. “It’s robust for the fellows who aren’t used to 4 vehicles racing without delay. We will’t get to Charlotte quick sufficient with the subsequent four-wide setup. I like the format.
“I believe we had a terrific shot to win this race outright at present. We gained all three rounds. The observe and warmth situations had been an equalizer too. The situations had been very tough. It made it a tuner’s recreation and our guys had been the distinction. I can now say I’ve gained professional occasions on all 4 tracks at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it is extremely satisfying as a racing driver.”
It took Stewart 24 races to earn his first Prime Gasoline triumph.
“I haven’t been across the NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection very lengthy, however I spotted it takes rather a lot to win one in all these Prime Gasoline races,” he mentioned. “In my profession, I’ve by no means needed to wait over a 12 months to win a race. We all the time figured it out fairly rapidly and we gained. I had two ‘holeshot’ wins within the first two rounds at present and my worst response time was within the last, however the TSR Rayce Rudeen Basis crew gave me a terrific automotive within the last. Neal Strausbaugh (crew chief) and Mike Domagala (co-crew chief) and the entire crew gained that last spherical for us at present. We wanted this win.
“It’s been so nerve-racking for everybody since Leah (Pruett – Stewart’s spouse) almost gained the world Prime Gasoline championship in 2023 when it got here all the way down to the ultimate spherical of the entire season,” Stewart famous. “We had numerous modifications for the crew as a result of my physique weight is completely different. Automobile tubing is completely different, and it simply takes time. It was irritating as we simply couldn’t get on a path to make constant beneficial properties final 12 months.”
Stewart is now second within the standings, 16 factors behind chief Shawn Langdon.
