Tony Stewart Wins First Top Alcohol Dragster Championship

Tony Stewart has made headlines in the motorsports world by clinching his first divisional championship in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster class at the North Central Division event this past week. This impressive victory not only marks a significant milestone in Stewart’s racing career but also showcases his determination and skill in the competitive drag racing scene.

Outstanding Performance at the North Central Division Race – 

Stewart, driving the McPhillips Racing Top Alcohol Dragster, displayed remarkable talent throughout the event. He started strong by securing the No. 5 provisional qualifying position in the first qualifying round (Q1) with an elapsed time (ET) of 5.505 seconds at a speed of 269.08 mph. In the second round (Q2), he significantly improved his performance, achieving the No. 2 provisional position with an impressive ET of 5.235 seconds at 273.44 mph. Following a solid run in Q3, where he clocked in at 5.282 seconds and 274.83 mph, Stewart solidified his position as the No. 2 qualifier heading into the eliminations.

On Saturday, Stewart advanced to the finals after a series of stellar runs. He recorded an ET of 5.224 seconds in the first round, defeating competitor Joey Severance, who finished at 5.274 seconds. Continuing his winning streak, Stewart triumphed over Jackie Fricke in the second round with a time of 5.262 seconds, narrowly beating Fricke’s 5.264 seconds.

In the highly anticipated finals, Stewart faced off against Gary Pritchett. He delivered an exceptional performance, clinching victory with an ET of 5.216 seconds, while Pritchett struggled with a slower time of 13.242 seconds. This win not only secured Stewart’s race victory but also clinched the NHRA North Central Division Championship title for 2024.

A Moment of Redemption for Stewart – 

Reflecting on this significant achievement, Stewart said, “It was a pretty cool deal today. This is redemption from last year at this same event. When we were here a year ago, all we had to do was get through the first round, and we would have clinched the division championship. Unfortunately, we faced a setback.” Stewart noted the challenges he faced last year, emphasizing the hard-fought battle to secure his title this season.

With Stewart entering the St. Louis event 21 points behind Pritchett, he needed to win to claim the title. He commented, “Even with two wins and a runner-up coming into today, if he (Gary Pritchett) made it to the finals, we had to beat him to win this thing. Out of five races this season, we ran Gary in four of them, and we were in the finals together in all four. To win three against him is awesome. He’s a tough competitor, and Randy Meyer’s team always does a great job.”

Consistency Leads to Championship Glory – 

This championship victory is the culmination of Stewart’s successful season, during which he participated in five Top Alcohol Dragster events. He achieved three wins, one runner-up finish, and one semifinal finish. Notably, Stewart qualified No. 1 and won at both the Indianapolis and Columbus events, defeating Pritchett in each.

“I’m really proud of my McPhillips Racing team. These guys did an awesome job. It’s a nice redemption weekend for us. We struggled here last weekend in the Top Fuel car. To come here, win the race, have low ET of the event in the finals, and win the division championship is just really cool,” Stewart remarked, emphasizing his gratitude for his team’s hard work.