Tony Stewart Announced Champion at 54 Adding Yet Another Racing Series in Decorated Career

Tony Stewart’s colorful racing journey has spanned nearly every discipline motorsport has to offer. From winning three NASCAR Cup Series titles to hoisting trophies in IndyCar, USAC, and even as a team owner, Stewart has consistently proven his adaptability. In 2024, he pivoted once again, stepping into NHRA’s Top Fuel drag racing ranks. This was a challenge unlike anything he had faced before. The discipline required precision reactions, massive horsepower control. Stewart had a willingness to start from scratch. Throughout 2025, Stewart’s consistency and breakthrough wins kept him near the top in the standings. But he wasn’t quite there yet, until the very hopeful happened now.

The U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis represented a pivotal and somewhat fortuitous moment. As the last event before the Countdown to the Championship, the race carried 1.5× points. This meant every round had championship implications. Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta, and Stewart entered the weekend in a tight battle for the regular-season crown. The stakes extended beyond prestige, and there was a $150,000 bonus for the points leader. For Stewart, at 54, the event was a chance to validate his place among drag racing’s elite. And his efforts finally bore fruit.

Tony Stewart secures the title

The drama began with Langdon’s early exit. As Kelly Crandall reported, “Shawn Langdon entered the day as the point leader but was eliminated in the first round.” That result cracked the door open for Stewart and Kalitta to capitalize. Both advanced out of the opening round, immediately reshuffling the standings and putting Stewart in a prime position. Every staging light from then carried championship weight.

Add another accomplishment to the resume.

Tony Stewart is the Top Fuel regular season champion. (So long as no penalties by day end.)

Shawn Langdon entered the day as the point leader but was eliminated in the first round. Stewart and Doug Kalitta advanced to the second round.…

— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) September 1, 2025

The decisive moment came in the middle rounds. Crandall detailed that “Stewart and Doug Kalitta advanced to the second round. Stewart then advanced to the third round while Kalitta was eliminated.” That separation secured Stewart the regular-season Top Fuel championship, pending the standard post-race checks. The significance stretched beyond just points. At 54, Stewart added another discipline to his resume. As Crandall announced the winners, he had become the regular-season champion in his rookie full-time campaign.

For a driver who has conquered NASCAR’s crown jewels, won IndyCar races, and led sprint car circuits, this latest milestone showcases his unmatched versatility. It also positions him as a legitimate contender for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, where he will now enter with momentum, a financial bonus, and the validation that he belongs among drag racing’s best.

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