Tony Stewart continues to make waves in the NHRA Top Fuel scene, securing his second career victory at the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals. While Stewart Racing had initially hoped to see Matt Hagan repeat his Funny Car triumph from a year ago, the day belonged instead to Stewart, who piloted his dragster with precision and poise through a highly competitive elimination ladder.
The day began with high hopes for both Stewart Racing entries. Funny Car driver Matt Hagan looked strong but was ultimately defeated in the semifinal round by Austin Prock, ending his shot at a back-to-back Route 66 title. That shifted the spotlight squarely onto Stewart, who was determined to bring home a Wally for the team.
In round one, Stewart faced off against Terry Totten. Right out of the gate, he showed the strength and consistency that have quickly become hallmarks of his Top Fuel campaign. Stewart laid down a blistering 3.694-second run at 329.26 mph, advancing easily to the second round and sending a clear message to the rest of the field.
The second round brought a tougher challenge in Shawn Reed. What unfolded was a true drag racing battle—a pedal fest that tested both drivers’ instincts and throttle control. Despite the tricky conditions, Stewart kept his composure and coaxed his machine to the finish line in 4.539 seconds. The win, which came by a margin of .5153 seconds, evened the all-time matchup between Stewart and Reed at 2-2 and pushed Stewart into the semifinals.
There, Stewart lined up against four-time Top Fuel champion Steve Torrence, a fierce competitor working to regain his dominant form. Stewart knew a fast reaction time would be crucial, and he delivered. With a razor-sharp .056 reaction time to Torrence’s .100, Stewart gained an early edge and never looked back. His 3.762-second pass at 329.18 mph gave him a .3004-second victory and punched his ticket to his third final round appearance of the 2025 season.
In the final, Stewart squared off against one of the best leavers in the business—Justin Ashley. The two had faced each other five times previously, with Ashley holding a 3-2 advantage. This would be their first head-to-head final, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
Ashley was lightning-quick off the line with a .042 reaction time, narrowly besting Stewart’s still-impressive .048. But Stewart’s car came alive early in the run, overtaking Ashley by the 60-foot mark and maintaining momentum all the way to the stripe. Stewart crossed the finish line with a 3.777 at 329.10 mph, edging out Ashley’s 3.818 at 324.12 mph by just .0358 seconds.
The win marks Stewart’s second Top Fuel victory since making his debut in the class, further solidifying his status as a serious contender in NHRA competition. With each race, Stewart proves that his transition from NASCAR legend to NHRA powerhouse is no fluke. He’s here to win—and he’s just getting started.