Tony Stewart, a veteran motorsports champion and current competitor in NHRA Top Fuel drag racing, narrowly escaped a serious crash during a recent event at Maple Grove Raceway. Amid his pursuit of the NHRA championship this season, Stewart experienced a high-speed collision that could have escalated into a major disaster, but he was relieved the impact was less severe than it might have been.
Details of the High-Stakes NHRA Incident
Stewart, who has competed and won titles across multiple racing platforms including IndyCar, NASCAR, USAC, and SRX, has embraced NHRA drag racing recently by piloting his wife’s Top Fuel dragster. Known for its massive 11,000-horsepower engine, the vehicle reaches speeds up to 300 miles per hour. Stewart, the reigning Rookie of the Year in NHRA, is currently second in the points standings with just five races remaining in the season and is aiming for the championship title.
The crash occurred during the second elimination round of a 16-driver Top Fuel drag race, where competitors run head-to-head until the final round determines the winner. Stewart’s opponent in this race was NHRA veteran Doug Kalitta. After a strong launch, Kalitta won the heat but lost his left front wheel, causing his car to veer sharply into Stewart’s lane. The resulting collision left Stewart’s dragster momentarily on its side before it slammed into the outer wall.
How Stewart Reflected on the Crash and Its Causes
Despite the frightening nature of the accident, Stewart stated that he was fortunate the crash did not worsen. He said he did not initially see Kalitta’s wheel come into his path because Top Fuel dragster windshields do not extend far into the peripheral vision, a design choice due to the extreme speeds drivers reach. On the Happy Hour podcast hosted by Kevin Harvick, Stewart explained how the incident unfolded and why it could have been worse if his car had gone over the wall.
The way our cars are, the windshields don’t come all the way back to your peripheral vision. It’s out further because you’re running 300 miles an hour. You don’t need to know what’s directly 90 degrees. You don’t need to know what’s in your blind spot. So, I don’t even see him coming. And when I climb his wheel, it gets up, and looking at it on video, I’m glad it didn’t get over the wall. If it got over the wall, it was going to be a much larger crash.
– Tony Stewart, NHRA Driver
The crash happened as both cars were decelerating after crossing the finish line, meaning the speeds were lower than their peak 300 mph, but still extremely dangerous. Stewart noted the severity noting he made contact at 240 miles per hour, marking it the fastest crash he has ever experienced across all racing formats.
Stewart’s Wide-Ranging Racing Experience and Its Impact
Over his career, Stewart has driven vehicles in many disciplines at varying speeds: NASCAR road courses often involve speeds below 100 mph, sprint car races usually exceed 100 mph, NASCAR ovals average over 170 mph, and IndyCar can surpass 200 mph. Now, his NHRA experience adds even higher-speed challenges to his resume. The severity of this crash underscores the risks tied to the NHRA Top Fuel dragsters.
We made contact at 240 mph. Holy crap. So, it’s definitely the fastest crash. Somebody put something online and said, ‘Well, you’ve crashed under 100 miles an hour. You’ve crashed over 100 miles an hour. You’ve crashed over 200 miles an hour. Now over 300 miles an hour. It’s probably enough.’ Yeah. So, I’m with them. I don’t really want to crash anymore. But it just was a crazy circumstance,
he said.
Looking Ahead: Stewart’s Determined Comeback
Despite the incident’s severity and the understandable unease that comes with high-speed crashes, Stewart remains undeterred. With a championship within reach, he is preparing to return to the track with determination to continue his NHRA campaign. His resilience reflects his legendary status across motorsports disciplines and his commitment to pushing the limits safely.
The crash at Maple Grove Raceway serves as a stark reminder of the dangers involved in Top Fuel drag racing, where even minor mechanical failures can have dramatic consequences. Stewart’s reflections and calm analysis indicate the importance of vehicle design and track safety in preventing truly catastrophic outcomes. As the NHRA season moves forward, all eyes will be on Stewart’s performance and his pursuit of an elusive crown in this intense motorsport.
