Tony Stewart Reaches NHRA Career Milestone In Bristol - 'Huge Accomplishment'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Tony Stewart secured his first career No. 1 qualifier and won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge specialty race in the Top Fuel category in Bristol this weekend.
Stewart beat Doug Kalitta in the final speciality race with a run of 3.803-seconds at 324.05 mph, before clinching the No. 1 qualifying spot and hitting a staggering 3.755 seconds at 325.77 mph in the first session on Saturday.
Reacting to the new milestone while speaking to the media following the race, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion explained:
"This is great, obviously. We've been in the final of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and haven't been able to finish it. Now, to win one and get our first low qualifier is big," explained the NASCAR Hall of Famer.
Co-owner Tony Stewart of Stewart-Hass Racing talks with the media during a press conference introducing Josh Berry as the new driver of the #4 Stewart-Hass Racing Ford Mustang at Charlotte Motor Speedway on June 21,...
Co-owner Tony Stewart of Stewart-Hass Racing talks with the media during a press conference introducing Josh Berry as the new driver of the #4 Stewart-Hass Racing Ford Mustang at Charlotte Motor Speedway on June 21, 2023 in Concord, North Carolina. More"For our team it's a huge accomplishment. We keep checking boxes off. We've got a car that is repeatable and consistent.
"We've got tricky conditions out here. I know a lot of work has gone on here of since last year and I appreciate the effort that Bristol has put into it. That plays into our hands. We don't have a car that can go 3.64 or that runs 340-mph.
"I'm actually encouraged about last week. In Epping, we were able to throw down and we were respectable. To see what we did in these conditions, we feel like our program is just getting stronger and stronger."
He also shared a message to his fans on social media, stating:
"Hey everybody, thanks for coming out to the Super Grip Nationals here in Bristol. Hope you guys had a great time, I know we've had a great weekend and it's always fun coming to Bristol. It doesn't matter if it's the circle track or the drag strip. The fans here are amazing and we hope you had as much fun as we did."
This comes after the 54-year-old driver secured his first Top Fuel victory in April 2025 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series: Points Standings after unofficial result
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