An icon in NASCAR with three titles, IndyCar legend, and racing aficionado, Tony Stewart added another feather to his cap, becoming the 2025 NHRA Regular Season Champion. With the organization bumping up the rewards to $25 million earlier this year, the Hoosier didn’t just take the crown; he cashed in big, pocketing well over six figures.
A Champion Across Disciplines — Tony Stewart Goes Big at Indy
“Smoke,” as he’s fondly known in NASCAR circles, once again lived up to his nickname. At 54, Stewart added another chapter to his storied career on home turf, clinching the 71st annual NHRA U.S. Nationals to crown himself the Regular Season champion. This triumph joins a remarkable resume featuring NASCAR, IndyCar, SRX, IROC, USAC, and even the Chili Bowl titles.
He arrived in Indy trailing tournament leader Shawn Langdon by 45 points, but left with the gold in hand and a renewed hunger for the overall title. “It is always our goal to incentivize our amazing racers at all levels, and we’ve been intently focused on introducing new ways to reward our drivers and race teams.”
“We’re excited to award $25 million to these incredible teams and competitors who race at such a high level and put on a tremendous show for our fans across the country,” said NHRA President Glen Cromwell after boosting the rewards in January this year.
Stewart banked $150,000 by acing the field as the Regular Season champion.
With the new crown secured, his focus now shifts to chasing the top seed in the Countdown to the Championship, kicking off Sept. 12-14 in Reading, PA. And as a team owner, he’s already setting his sights on what 2026 might hold.
In his rookie Top Fuel season, Stewart has battled both the steep learning curve and the weight of outside criticism challenges made all the more intense as his wife, Leah Pruett, mounted her own championship bid.
Still, Stewart never backed down. Consistency was his calling card this season. He won two races and led the points standings for a time before Langdon extended his lead three races ago at Seattle.
With the U.S. Nationals on the horizon, the NASCAR/IndyCar/NHRA Regular Season Champion now looks to draw on his ocean of experience and the momentum boost to see through and realize his drag racing aspiration, winning the prestigious NHRA title.
