Stewart Can Make History At zMAX Dragway

CONCORD, N.C. — Tony Stewart, the 112th and latest winner in the NHRA’s Top Fuel ranks, now has a chance to make more history with a victory at the 1,000th Top Fuel race in NHRA history at this weekend’s American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

Tony Stewart added to his Hall of Fame résumé with his first career Top Fuel victory at the most recent NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event in Las Vegas. It was a noteworthy moment for the legendary racer who has won in nearly every form of racing and now Stewart will have a chance for another milestone moment in Charlotte.

The 1,000th Top Fuel race takes place in the unique four-wide style, some 62 years after the first Top Fuel race took place at the 1963 NHRA Winternationals.

The legendary Don Garlits won that event and now another legend in Stewart will have the opportunity to pick up a significant and noteworthy victory in Top Fuel – all at the Bellagio of Dragstrips in Charlotte in his 12,000-horsepower Dodge//SRT Direct Connection dragster.

“To go be able to go back to Charlotte, where I’ve got a deep-rooted racing history, and as the previous race winner (in Las Vegas) is going to be a great feeling,” Stewart said. “It’s going to make going to Charlotte that much better, especially being the 1,000th Top Fuel race. Me being a part of the sport, going into their 1,000th race and knowing that NHRA’s 75th anniversary is next year and being a part of that in some capacity is really cool to be a part of and it’s awesome. I got to be a part of NASCAR’s 50th (anniversary), and I just know how important historic moments like these are.”

Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed victories at the 2024 event.

Will it be Stewart celebrating on the top end again? His track record in the wild, unpredictable and unique spectacle that is four-wide racing indicates he’s up for the challenge.

Stewart has performed well in the midst of the extreme sensory overload of nearly 50,000-horsepower thundering down four lanes at once and a second straight win this season, competing against standout talents like reigning world champ Antron Brown, Brittany Force, points leader Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta and Clay Millican would be another massive accomplishment.

The Vegas win pushed him to second in points and the team continues to gain confidence at an ideal time of the year.

“I feel like I’m very comfortable with the four-wide setup and for some reason, I’m very comfortable with it,” Stewart said. “I feel like I do a good job of paying attention to everything up on the line and I don’t let things distract me and that’s what you have to do in a four-wide. It’s a little more chaotic on the line and when you’re staging, but it’s something I’m comfortable with. (After winning a four-wide), it just makes you feel a little better going back-to-back with four-wide racing. I love these races and the best part of Charlotte is we get to do it at both Charlotte races this year.”

Every 100th winner in Top Fuel history – including Garlits – will all be on hand in Charlotte, as the winners of 1st, 100th, 200th, 300th, 400th, 500th, 600th, 700th, 800th and 900th Top Fuel races will gather together for a special autograph session at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with an event-exclusive hero card.