Tony Stewart Dominates Chicago with Bold Win to Claim Top Fuel Lead

Tony Stewart made a powerful statement at the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK in Chicago. He earned his second Top Fuel win of the season and claimed the lead in the NHRA Top Fuel points standings for the first time in his career.

Competing in his Rinnai Top Fuel dragster, Stewart clocked a 3.777-second pass at 329.10 mph, defeating Justin Ashley in the final round on Sunday. This latest win also marked his fourth consecutive final-round appearance, demonstrating Stewart’s strong form in the 2025 season.

After the victory, Stewart responded to critics who doubted his place in the driver’s seat. He referenced online comments that questioned his performance compared to his wife, Leah Pruett, a respected driver in her own right. For more on the history and evolution of drag racing, visit the NHRA’s official website.

In the post-race press conference, Stewart called out “keyboard warriors” for their harsh words and said those critics only motivate him more. He described how negative comments during his recent shoulder surgery recovery drove him to push harder on track.

Stewart credited the support from his team and used adversity as motivation, reminding everyone he now has two silver Wally trophies for the 2025 season. He also shared how he struggled with reading harsh comments during his recovery, admitting that the criticism sometimes stung but ultimately pushed him to work harder.

He acknowledged that many making negative remarks have not raced or faced similar challenges but said every bit of doubt gave him extra drive. Stewart encouraged critics to keep talking, saying it only motivates him to prove them wrong each time he gets behind the wheel.

Along with his on-track accomplishments, Stewart praised the NHRA racing community for its atmosphere and camaraderie. He highlighted close friendships built among drivers, mentioning time camping with competitor Steve Torrence and his wife Natalie the night before the final.

Stewart described NHRA events as supportive environments where drivers compete fiercely on the track but respect each other off it. He contrasted this with other motorsports, noting NHRA’s unique family- and fan-friendly nature. For more insights on the NHRA community in Chicago, see this analysis of the event. To learn more about the technical aspects of Top Fuel dragsters, check out this resource from the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Justin Ashley, Stewart’s final round opponent, also earned his praise. Stewart mentioned congratulatory messages from Ashley and his father Mike after the race, as well as from other rivals like Randy and Davis, showing the sportsmanship that runs through NHRA.

Stewart emphasized that while drivers joke about wanting to beat each other, especially at the starting line, mutual respect and shared passion for the sport come first after the race.

The Route 66 NHRA Nationals brought out top competitors in both Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. Stewart’s teammate Matt Hagan also had a strong weekend, advancing to the semifinals in his Charger HELLCAT Funny Car.

Hagan defeated Ron Capps in the quarterfinals before narrowly missing out to Austin Prock. Stewart’s recent points lead puts him a few points ahead of Shawn Langdon before the Epping National, with the next round set to begin May 30. For the latest NHRA standings and schedules, visit the official NHRA standings page.

Tony Stewart’s win in Chicago—delivered with both speed and conviction—showed why he continues to be a force across motorsports. With another trophy and the series points lead, Stewart’s 2025 campaign has quickly become one of the year’s standout stories as the season heads toward summer.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.