Tony Stewart, the well-known NASCAR driver and team co-owner, addressed a recent claim about his injuries by NHRA teammate Matt Hagan, clarifying that he has only had one rod inserted in his back despite multiple back breaks. Stewart’s statement came during a discussion about his racing career and injuries while reflecting on past incidents.
Stewart, a versatile American racing car driver nicknamed “Smoke,” has built a remarkable legacy in NASCAR and IndyCar. Currently competing in the NHRA Top Fuel Series, Stewart is celebrated for his adaptability and success across different racing formats.
Clarifying the Back Injury Details from a Racing Conversation
During a Dodge GarageCast podcast with Matt Hagan, Tony Stewart recounted one of the four occasions he broke his back in racing. He detailed an intense night at Talladega where one of his back injuries occurred. Stewart also shared memories from 2000 involving Kevin Hamlin, noting how Hamlin had broken his back the night before a race, which indirectly influenced Stewart’s progression to a final that same night.
“I mean, I mean, he’s been known to drive a couple different things. monster truck at Talladega. Yeah, that’s one of the four times I broke my back. Oh, and didn’t even realize that it was that was the same night that Kevin Hamlin who was earnhardt’s creature.”
“Oh, in 2000. Yeah, that’s when he broke his back the night before the race.And that’s I had missed a shift in my run against him. And he won, but broke his back. So man, because he couldn’t run that put me in the finals.And then I broke my back in the finals. And it was a blast,” he added.
Matt Hagan joked about Stewart being a “halfway bionic man” because of his multiple back surgeries. However, Stewart clarified that the reality was less extreme than portrayed.
“He’s halfway bionic man. Okay. I mean, been pieced back together,” Hagan said.
In response, Stewart stated plainly, “I just have one rod.” This correction helps set the record straight about the extent of his injuries amid the tales of his racing toughness.
Highlights of Tony Stewart’s Racing Achievements
Throughout his career, Tony Stewart has achieved significant milestones, including 62 wins across NASCAR’s national series, with 11 victories in the Xfinity Series and 2 in the Truck Series. He also secured 15 poles and amassed over 300 top-10 finishes. After spending years driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart co-founded Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) in 2009, where he competed as both driver and co-owner until retiring from full-time NASCAR competition in 2016.
Surviving a Severe NHRA Top Fuel Explosion
Recently, Stewart endured a frightening incident during an NHRA Top Fuel qualifying run when his 11,000-horsepower dragster exploded mid-race. The explosion set the car on fire and led to an urgent response from marshals. Despite the severity of the crash, Stewart escaped without injury, crediting the protective canopy and safety gear for his safety.
“Well luckily being in canopy I don’t feel a lot of anything is here, and you realize you know obviously it decells, real quick, you go from all those positive G’s to know G’s anymore, but if anybody needs their yard mode this week in the call I got a I got some bills to pay this week,” Stewart said via Fox Sports [01:05].
The sudden transition from high gravitational force to none was jarring, but Stewart’s calm demeanor reflected his experience and preparedness for such high-risk moments.
Transition and Success in NHRA Drag Racing
Tony Stewart’s involvement in drag racing grew after meeting his wife, Leah Pruett, a professional NHRA driver, in 2019. His growing interest in the NHRA Top Fuel Series led him to fill in for Pruett during her brief hiatus. Stewart’s performance within the series was impressive enough to earn him the Rookie of the Year title for the 2024 season, marking a successful expansion of his racing career beyond NASCAR.
Stewart’s continued dedication to racing, whether on NASCAR tracks or in NHRA events, highlights his resilience and passion for motorsports. His corrections to the “halfway bionic” label reinforce his grounded approach despite the physical challenges he has faced behind the wheel. Going forward, Stewart remains a formidable competitor and influential figure in both racing domains.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Tony Stewart quit?
A. Stewart-Haas Racing shut down after 16 years because it was hard to find sponsors for a team with four cars. Stewart is leaving NASCAR during a period of tension between the league and its teams about the sport’s future.
Q. Did Tony Stewart drive F1?
A. TAMPA — Tony Stewart has dedicated most of his life to driving various types of cars. He has participated in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 races, and he has earned championships in go-karts, sprint cars, NASCAR, and IndyCar. He even tried out a Formula One car. Throughout all these experiences, Stewart was never scared to get behind the wheel. “Ever,” he stated.
