Press Release | NASCAR In an evolution of O’Reilly Auto Parts’ long-standing relationships throughout the sport, NASCAR and O’Reilly Auto Parts today announced a multiyear partnership – one that will make the leader in the automotive replacement parts industry the title sponsor of what is now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This landmark partnership aligns two American-born powerhouses, each with a rich legacy of fueling performance and passion from the grassroots up. The multi-dimensional sponsorship also includes promotional opportunities and brand integrations in partnership with The CW Network, the exclusive broadcast home of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.   The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will officially debut on January 1, 2026, ushering in a bold new chapter for the series crowded with NASCAR’s future stars. The agreement marks the fourth entitlement sponsorship in the series’ history, following a dynamic 11-year tenure with Xfinity that elevated the series to new heights with unprecedented fan engagement, innovation, and exposure. The series’ history also includes a seven-year run with Nationwide Insurance and a foundational relationship with Anheuser-Busch, still a current NASCAR partner at the Premier level.   “Like the great sport of NASCAR, O’Reilly Auto Parts was born in America and built on the hard work and drive of passionate people,” said NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell. “This new partnership allows us to continue to fuel that passion for the next generation of NASCAR’s stars and fans while celebrating the journey we’ve been on together for decades.”   Founded in Springfield, Missouri in 1957, O’Reilly Auto Parts has grown from a single store to an automotive parts icon with over 6,400 locations across 48 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada. The company’s more than 92,800 dedicated team members are committed to excellent customer service, backed by a robust network of 31 distribution centers.   While the title sponsorship may be new, O’Reilly Auto Parts’ involvement in NASCAR is anything but. The company has long supported the sport through race sponsorships across multiple series. From the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at the DAYTONA Road Course in 2021, to title sponsorships at Texas Motor Speedway, and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio in 2022, the brand has maintained a deep connection with fans and drivers alike.   “Our company is rooted in the same values that define NASCAR—teamwork, enthusiasm, and dedication,” said O’Reilly Auto Parts President Brent Kirby. “You’ll see those in action when our customers walk through our doors. We know they need fast service, and Team O’Reilly will get them the parts they need quickly, with excellent customer service. We welcome all fans to stop by our stores and see how our team can help keep them running.”   The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will be available exclusively to race fans across the country on The CW. In its first year on the broadcast network, the series is seeing impressive year-over-year viewership growth, currently up +17% in Total Viewers compared to last season and pacing to be the most watched series since 2018. The series is currently averaging 1.1 million total viewers, with 19 out of 23 races drawing over one million total viewers.   “The success of NASCAR on The CW has shown that millions of fans will consistently tune in for these adrenaline-fueled races every week,” said Brad Schwartz, President, The CW Network. “This exciting new partnership with O’Reilly Auto Parts gives us the opportunity to expand that reach even further by tapping into our mutually strong presence in local communities nationwide and continuing to grow our passionate audience in the years to come.”   “Partnering with NASCAR and The CW at this level enables us to further deepen our connection to one of the most loyal fanbases in all of sports,” said Hugo Sanchez, O’Reilly Auto Parts vice president of Advertising and Marketing. “This agreement builds on our long-term involvement in NASCAR and our dedication to the fans who love cars as much as we do.”

Press Release | NASCAR Today, NASCAR announced Anduril, a renowned defense products company, as the presenting sponsor of the NASCAR San Diego Weekend and NASCAR Cup Series street race entitlement partner of the new event at Naval Base Coronado on June 19-21, 2026. The headline event of NASCAR San Diego Weekend presented by Anduril will be the Anduril 250 Race the Base Cup Series street race that honors the 250 th anniversary of the United States Navy. As part of the multi-year agreement, Anduril has also been named the Official Defense Partner of NASCAR.   “NASCAR has long been woven into the fabric of Americana — it’s a sport that connects with fans across generations and reflects the energy and determination that define us,” said Craig Stimmel, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at NASCAR. “Anduril is an American company that’s pushing boundaries in defense technology, and they bring that same drive and forward-thinking mindset. We’re excited to welcome them as the title partner of NASCAR San Diego Weekend and as NASCAR’s Official Defense Partner. It’s a great match — two high-performance teams coming together with a shared vision for the future, both on and off the track.”   The Anduril 250, second-ever Cup Series street course, will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2026. The NASCAR San Diego Weekend presented by Anduril will be the first NASCAR event on an active military base. The Anduril 250 will be preceded by high-energy races for the Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races on Friday, June 19, 2026 and Saturday, June 20, 2026. The official NASCAR San Diego street course layout will be unveiled in the near future.   “NASCAR is one of America’s most iconic platforms with a huge fan base among U.S. service members, veterans and their families, said Jeff Miller, Vice President of Marketing at Anduril. “Partnering with NASCAR for the Race on the Base is a natural fit reflecting our shared values of technical innovation, speed, and support of our military. We’re proud to be part of an event that celebrates the Navy’s 250th anniversary and honors everyone who serves.”   Anduril builds advanced defense technology products designed to strengthen national security and deter conflict. Its systems — including autonomous aircraft, underwater vehicles, AI-powered sensor platforms, and electronic warfare tools — are used by the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries around the world. Anduril takes a different approach from traditional defense contractors, combining private capital with rapid product development to deliver advanced capability at speed and scale. The Anduril 250 will be the final race of Prime Video’s five-race Cup Series broadcast window for 2026. The Xfinity Series race will air on The CW and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race will be broadcast by FOX Sports.   Tickets for the 2026 NASCAR San Diego Weekend will go on-sale this fall. Tickets are expected to go fast, so fans can put down a deposit for advance pricing today at NASCARSanDiego.com . Additional details and elements of the weekend will be announced soon, and fans can follow @NASCARSanDiego on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest real-time updates on all aspects of the event.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images After an injury during a dirt modified race a few weeks ago, Stewart Friesen and his team, Halmar Friesen Racing has opted not to pursue a playoff waiver. Kaden Honeycutt, recently released from Niece Motorsports, will drive the No. 52 Truck for Halmar Friesen Racing for the remainder of the season.

By Adam Carabine Happy Friday everyone!  This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series travels to Richmond, Virginia for the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.   Richmond is a 0.75-mile D-shaped oval with fairly low banking in the corners.  The track was built in 1946, though the first Cup Series race was held there a few years later. Lee Petty won the inaugural NASCAR race there in 1953. Last year’s winner at this race was Austin Dillon (in rather controversial fashion).    Tomorrow’s race will be 400 laps long (for a total of 300 miles), with stage breaks occurring at 70 – 230 – 400.  The fuel window is approximately 120-135 laps.  Pit road speed is 40 mph, and the caution vehicle runs at 45 mph.   This year, the NASCAR Cup Series has run 5,951 laps, for 8,615.35 miles so far this season.  No driver has completed every single lap, but Chase Elliott is one lap behind, and Tyler Reddick is ten behind.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Richmond: Christopher Bell 7.33 over 9 races Kyle Busch 7.55 over 38 races (6 wins) Denny Hamlin 8.14 over 36 races (5 wins) Josh Bery 9.00 over 3 races Joey Logano 10.03 over 31 races (2 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Richmond: Cody Ware 35.00 over 4 races Riley Herbst 33.00 over 1 race Michael McDowell 29.41 over 27 races Justin Haley 29.13 over 8 races Zane Smith 29.00 over 2 races   Richmond is a Short Track   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Short Tracks: Joey Logano 11.29 over 190 races (13 wins) Chase Elliott 11.90 over 103 races (4 wins) Christopher Bell 12.37 over 59 races (6 wins) Ryan Blaney 12.69 over 107 races (3 wins) Brad Keselowski 12.90 over 180 races (10 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Short Tracks: Michael McDowell 26.72 over 167 races Zane Smith 26.23 over 20 races Ty Dillon 25.05 over 79 races Noah Gragson 24.53 over 28 races JH Nemechek 23.89 over 28 races   Richard Petty is by far the winningest driver at Richmond, having scored 13 victories here.  Bobby Allison had 7, and then a crew of four drivers that include current veteran Kyle Busch scored 6 each.   Notable drivers who have not won at Richmond: Chase Elliott (has won at 15 other tracks) William Byron (has won at 11 other tracks) Ryan Blaney (has won at 10 other tracks) Christopher Bell (has won at 10 other tracks) Tyler Reddick (has won at 8 other tracks)   No current drivers scored their first career Cup Series victory at Richmond.   Based on average finish, no drivers list Richmond as their BEST or WORST.   Based on their point pace, let’s have a look at how this season is comparing to last season for drivers:   Drivers Faring Better than in 2024 Chase Briscoe +263 pts Ryan Preece +257 pts JH Nemechek +244 pts Erik Jones +168 pts Zane Smith +123 pts   Drivers Faring Worse than in 2024 Brad Keselowski -241 pts Noah Gragson -199 pts Daniel Suarez -172 pts Ty Gibbs -125 pts Kyle Larson -92 pts   Next, let’s look at who’s having their best and worst career year by Average Finish:   Best Career Year Chase Elliott 10.96 Christopher Bell 12.13 Chase Briscoe 13.33 Ryan Preece 15.88 JH Nemechek 19.46   Worst Career Year Cole Custer 24.83 Carson Hocevar 22.13 Zane Smith 20.79   Rookie of the Year Battle SVG 441 (4 wins) Riley Herbst 287   The Manufacturer Standings are calculated by awarding points to the highest finisher for each manufacturer according to their finishing position.  (40 for 1 st , 35 for 2 nd , 34 for 3 rd , etc.)  No stage points or playoff points count.   Manufacturer Standings Chevrolet 885 Toyota 861 Ford 798   Here is the same formula, but used on a team-vs-team basis:   Chartered Team Standings Hendrick 842 Joe Gibbs 831 RFK 677 Penske 676 Trackhouse 670 23XI 654 Spire 586 Legacy MC 555 RCR 546 Front Row 535 Kaulig 513 Hyak 372 Wood Bros 370 Haas Factory 292 Rick Ware 169   At each stage break, the Top 10 drivers are awarded points based on their finishing positions.  Here are the leaders this year:   Stage Point Leaders William Byron 230 Ryan Blaney 202 Kyle Larson 167 Denny Hamlin 161 Tyler Reddick 151 Alex Bowman 143 Chase Elliott 138 Bubba Wallace 133 Christopher Bell 117 Austin Cindric 116   Milestone Watch Zane Smith This will be his 70 th  Career Cup Series Start Carson Hocevar This will be his 70 th  Career Cup Series Start Alex Bowman This will be his 350 th  Career Cup Series Start Chris Buescher Looking for his 30 th  Career Top 5 Ryan Blaney Looking for his 90 th  Career Top 5 Joey Logano Looking for his 170 th  Career Top 5 SVG Looking for his 10 th  Career Top 10 Ty Gibbs Looking for his 30 th  Career Top 10 Christopher Bell Looking for his 100 th  Career Top 10 Kyle Busch Looking for his 390 th  Career Top 10   Here are the top 10 longest active winless streaks:   Winless Streaks Justin Haley 165 races Cole Custer 121 races Erik Jones 103 races Kyle Busch 81 races Michael McDowell 72 races Daniel Suarez 58 races Brad Keselowski 47 races AJ Allmendinger 44 races Alex Bowman 40 races Austin Dillon 37 races   The race begins Saturday, August 16 th  at 7:30 pm EST (4:30 pm PST) – Enjoy the race everyone!   Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter  @RacingRefresh   Is there an error? Is there a stat missing that you’d like to see? Let us know!

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images By Adam Carabine A look at the Top Ten in our weekly Power Rankings, plus the biggest movers! While finishing position is important, it’s not always indicative of the full picture.  StatChat rankings are determined using a large number of statistical inputs, with an emphasis placed on the most recent 5 races.   Ryan Preece – This week: 10 – Last week: 12 Preece has been super impressive lately, with an average finish just over P10 in his last five races.  He currently has one more point than reigning champ, Joey Logano – but unfortunately lacks that win to lock himself into the playoffs, and sits 34 points outside the bubble with two races left.   Denny Hamlin – This week: 9 – Last week: 4 While Hamlin made a resurgence recently back into the Top 10 of our Power Rankings with a win at Dover, his most recent performances have left a bit to be desired.  P24 and P25 at the last two races (Iowa and Watkins Glen), and he nearly falls out of our Top 10.    Brad Keselowski – This week: 8 – Last week: 15 Keselowski still needs a win in order to get himself into the playoffs, but he’s certainly been in the conversation lately.  Coming into Watkins Glen he was riding a three-race Top 10 streak.  He may have finished P31 at the WGI this past weekend, but that result didn’t show the entire picture.  He was up front for a lot of the race and even led 5 laps at one point.   Bubba Wallace – This week: 7 – Last week: 6 Bubba Wallace cemented his spot in the playoffs with a win at the Brickyard a few weeks back, but he hasn’t really looked out of place up front since then either.  He’s now on a four-race Top-10 streak, and notably finished P8 at Watkins Glen – a road course which traditionally has not been Wallace’s forte.   Christopher Bell – This week: 6 – Last week: 7 It’s hard to believe that Bell hasn’t won since his three wins in a row at the start of the season.  He’s been in many conversations to win races, but it just hasn’t materialized.  While no one was realistically beating SVG on Sunday, Bell’s P2 at Watkins Glen brings him back up a spot in our Power Rankings, and gives him some much-needed momentum heading closer to the playoffs.   Chase Briscoe – This week: 5 – Last week: 3 There’s an argument to be made that Briscoe has been NASCAR’s hottest driver as of late.  Four of his last five starts were in the Top 5 (including three P2s), and his P18 at Indianapolis came after winning the pole.  He’s been adapting really nicely with his new team this year at Joe Gibbs Racing, and could make a splash in the playoffs.   Ryan Blaney – This week: 4 – Last week: 5 Also certainly in the conversation for a hot driver in the last little while, Blaney is riding his own four-race Top-10 streak.  For the driver who has completed the second-least number of laps this year, he is impressively only about 100 points off of the regular season championship.  If he has found a new gear, watch out for him in the playoffs this year.   William Byron – This week: 3 – Last week: 9 There was a rough stretch there for William Byron, where he was finishing outside of the Top 30 over the course of 3-4 races.  However, a win at Iowa seems to have helped him get his groove back, and he followed it up with a P4 at Watkins Glen.  Byron is a perennial contender, but could this be the year?   Chase Elliott – This week: 2   – Last week: 2 Chase Elliott’s insane streak of Top-20s came to an end at Watkins Glen this past weekend.  He made it 26 straight races (dating back to last season) without finishing outside of the Top 20.  He finished P26 at Watkins Glen, though his performance probably deserved better.  He’s built up enough cache to hold onto the No. 2 spot in our Power Rankings.   SVG – This week: 1 – Last week: 1 Now tied with Denny Hamlin for the most wins on the season, SVG put up another impressive road course victory last weekend at Watkins Glen.  The road course ringer is fresh off of a contract extension with Trackhouse, that will have him thwarting other drivers’ chances at road courses for years to come.    Biggest Movers   Zane Smith – This week: 34 – Last week: 25 Falls 9 places   Todd Gilliland – This week: 21 – Last week: 30 Gains 9 places   Austin Dillon – This week: 25 – Last week: 34 Gains 9 places   Rest of the List 11. Alex Bowman LW: 10 -1 12. Tyler Reddick LW: 8 -4 13. Chris Buescher LW: 16 +3 14. Kyle Larson LW: 11 -3 15. Kyle Busch LW: 13 -2 16. Austin Cindric LW: 18 +2 17. Ty Gibbs LW: 14 -3 18. JH Nemechek LW: 17 -1 19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. LW: 26 +7 20. Justin Haley LW: 19 -1 21. Todd Gilliland LW: 30 +9 22. Joey Logano LW: 20 -2 23. Daniel Suarez LW: 28 -5 24. Michael McDowell LW: 21 -3 25. Austin Dillon LW: 34 +9 26. Ty Dillon LW: 22 -4 27. Ross Chastain LW: 23 +4 28. Erik Jones LW: 27 -1 29. Carson Hocevar LW: 35 +6 30. AJ Allmendinger LW: 24 -6 31. Josh Berry LW: 31 -- 32. Cole Custer LW: 32 -- 33. Riley Herbst LW: 29 -4 34. Zane Smith LW: 25 -9 35. Noah Gragson LW: 33 -2 36. Cody Ware LW: 36 --

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images Press Release | NIECE MOTORSPORTS ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series champion, Andrés Pérez de Lara, has inked a deal to complete the remainder of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) season with Niece Motorsports beginning this weekend at Richmond Raceway. The latest addition to the organization’s driver lineup comes on the heels of Pérez de Lara’s former team, Spire Motorsports, announcing his permission to seek other opportunities outside of the No. 77 entry where he completed the first 17 races of the year.   Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Pérez de Lara began his driving career at the young age of 11-years-old through karting, and later moved up the open wheel ladder to compete in L-A Formula 4 before transitioning into stock cars. In 2023, Pérez de Lara was signed by Rev Racing, a Chevrolet development team, for two years in ARCA. After securing Rookie of the Year status in his first season, he became the first Mexican driver to win the championship in 2024.   Now a graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, Pérez de Lara is currently chasing Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in his full-time NCTS debut campaign. He is currently posted third in the rookie standings ahead of the regular season finale.   “Overall, I’m really excited about the upcoming races with Niece Motorsports,” said Pérez de Lara. “Making a change mid-season always has its challenges, but the team and I are working hard to be 100% by the time Richmond comes. I’m really focusing on having a good race there and feel very motivated with how the team has treated me. I feel the team is also motivated with having me there as well.” Telcel, Claro, and Infinitum, who each have backed Pérez de Lara during his tenure at Spire Motorsports, will continue to serve as his primary partners as he now shifts over to the Niece organization. “It feels like things are working well, and I’m ready to start a good foundation and build from there for the last eight races,” Pérez de Lara continued. “I want to go out there and show what we’ve got. I’m expecting some good results starting in Richmond, which is a track that I don’t know, but I’m putting a lot of emphasis in the pre-race work to go out there and start getting some good results with the team, which is what we’re all here for.”   Wally Rogers will continue to serve as crew chief for the Telcel team, with other noted competition changes occurring within the organization.   Landon Polinski, a veteran race engineer, has been promoted from within the company as the new crew chief for the No. 42 team. This change allows Mike Shiplett to oversee the return of the No. 41, part-time entry, which will also make its season debut in Richmond. Previously announced drivers, Josh Bilicki, and Connor Jones, will continue to drive for the team in their select events.   “We are preparing for a bright future ahead of us at Niece Motorsports,” said Cody Efaw, CEO of the organization. “Adding Andrés to our talent arsenal is an enticing addition as we look to finish out the year strong. While it is difficult to hear of another team scaling back their program, we saw this as an opportunity for our team to grow our footprint in the Truck Series. We have more exciting news coming out in the near future, and I look forward to seeing our team unload four fast Chevrolet Silverados in Richmond.”   The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will complete its regular season at Richmond Raceway on Friday, August 15. Live coverage of the race will air on FOX Sports 1, the NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM at 7:30 PM Eastern.

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images Press Release | SPIRE MOTORSPORTS Spire Motorsports is permitting Andres Perez de Lara to explore other opportunities for the final eight races of 2025 and beyond, following the August 8 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International. The Mooresville, N.C., team has yet to solidify its 2026 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series plans.   “Andres has made meaningful progress this season, and we remain confident in his future,” said Spire Motorsports President Bill Anthony. “While we haven’t finalized our 2026 plans for the No. 77 team, we wanted to give him the opportunity to look ahead and pursue other options for the remainder of this year and beyond. He’s a hard worker, carries himself with humility, and brings a consistently positive attitude to the garage. He comes from a great family, and we fully expect him to continue making strides as part of Chevrolet’s driver development program. We’re proud to have been part of his journey and will continue cheering him on.”   Perez de Lara has made 17 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts for Spire Motorsports in 2025, earning a pair of top 10s including a season-best seventh-place finish at Martinsville Speedway. The 2025 Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender is currently 17th in points and third in the rookie standings.   Spire Motorsports, in consultation with NASCAR, will shift the owner’s points from the team’s No. 07 entry to the No. 77 team with veteran Corey LaJoie at the controls for the final eight races of the season, beginning at Richmond Raceway.   The team will compete as a three-truck operation for the remainder of the 2025 campaign, fielding the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in pursuit of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner’s and driver’s titles.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images Connor Zilisch posted to his social media that he has undergone surgery to help repair his broken collarbone. The driver fell in victory lane while attempting to stand up on the roof of his car in celebration, leading to the injury. There is no official timetable on his return to racing as of this writing.

By Crystal Clay Chief Motorsport Correspondent Tony Stewart lifts his Wally trophy in front of fans after winning the Top Fuel final at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of NHRA) LAS VEGAS (April 14, 2025)— Tony Stewart’s first win in Top Fuel didn’t come with a fist pump. It came with tears. At the top end of the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it wasn’t celebration. It was relief. After more than a year of adjusting, adapting and answering questions about when the breakthrough would come, Sunday’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals marked the moment his team got the monkey off their back. The former NASCAR champion became emotional as he spoke about the win, his first in the Top Fuel ranks, and credited the entire Tony Stewart Racing program, from crew chiefs to Funny Car teammates, for making it possible. His win was not just a moment. It was the result of a unified effort, a painstaking reset after a frustrating 2024 season. Stewart’s NHRA journey has been rooted in Las Vegas from the start. His debut in Top Alcohol Dragster came at The Strip in 2022, and not long after, so did his first national event win in the category. When Stewart took over the seat previously occupied by his wife, Leah Pruett, expectations were high. Many assumed he would win quickly. But Stewart never fed into the pressure. He stayed grounded, focused on learning and measured progress by effort over outcome. That is why his emotion at the top end told a different story. This was not about pressure to win, it was about believing this team deserved it all along. “It just makes you proud when you’re at the top and you’re like, as much as it’s a stress for me… imagine the stress those guys have felt,” Stewart said. “Finally, these guys got the monkey off their back.” Tony Stewart clutches his Wally trophy after winning the Top Fuel final at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of NHRA) When asked if the four-wide format impacted the outcome, Stewart pointed to the conditions and setup making it a tuner’s race. “We flat out won our first two quads,” he said. “Nobody could just throw up big numbers today.” Stewart noted that he did his job off the starting line in the early rounds, but in the final, it was the crew that delivered. “I didn’t win us that round, our mechanics did,” he said. “That car went down the track like a rocket, and that’s what won it.”   Stewart emphasized that the win belonged to his entire crew: Neil Strausbaugh, Mike Neff, Phil Schuler, Mike Knutson and others. “Our motto is: one team, all team,” he said. “We all helped each other, and that’s what this win is about.” Sunday’s win wasn’t just about a time slip or a trophy. It was about resilience. It was about the pressure of legacy. And it was about a team that never stopped believing they could get there—together. Now, Stewart heads to Charlotte, the heart of his NASCAR legacy for the next four-wide. But this time, he arrives with something new: a Top Fuel win, and the confidence that his team can deliver when it counts. In a sport where few ever cross over, Stewart is reminding everyone why he never really fits in just one lane. Asked about his mental focus and the shift in perspective over the past year, Stewart offered an honest assessment. “I mean, we never took a year to win a race in any kind of race car we’ve ever driven,” Stewart said. “After Leah wins a world championship, I get in the car and we’re struggling. The fans in the stands don’t totally understand what that means.” He reflected on the dynamic between driver and crew, contrasting it with his past experience. “Everything I drove before I got into the NHRA, I was 70 percent of the equation, and the car and crew were 30 percent,” he said. “But this is different.” “When the car doesn’t go down the track,” he added, “people are looking at me like, ‘Put his wife back in the car.’” Tony Stewart celebrates his first Top Fuel victory after the final round at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals on Sunday, April 14, 2025, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Stewart, a champion in NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC, adds another major win to his resume. (Photo courtesy of NHRA) A Champion Across Disciplines Tony Stewart's victory in Top Fuel adds to a storied career that spans multiple racing disciplines. He is the only driver to have won championships in both IndyCar and NASCAR, securing the IndyCar Series title in 1997 and NASCAR Cup Series championships in 2002, 2005, and 2011. Stewart's versatility is further demonstrated by his success in USAC, where he claimed the Triple Crown in 1995 by winning titles in Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown categories. His accomplishments have earned him induction into several halls of fame, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2019, and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2022.