Tony Stewart added another chapter to his storied, cross-discipline career by claiming the 2025 NHRA Regular Season Championship, capped off with a victory at the 71st NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The three-time NASCAR champion and IndyCar hall of famer secured the Regular Season crown and pocketed a $150,000 prize, as NHRA’s season-long rewards swelled to a lofty $25 million this year.
Stewart, affectionately known as “Smoke,” arrived in Indy 45 points behind first-place contender Shawn Langdon but left with the title and a renewed push toward the sport’s postseason. The NHRA has emphasized a broader incentive program to reward excellence across the sport, a move that Stewart took full advantage of as he added another marquee achievement to his diverse racing résumé.
The U.S. Nationals served as the pivotal moment that decided the Regular Season champion, with Stewart leveraging his expansive racing experience to outpace the field. The triumph not only underscores his ability to compete across different disciplines but also reinforces his status as one of the most versatile drivers in modern motorsports. Stewart’s win comes as he eyes the Countdown to the Championship, which kicks off September 12-14 in Reading, Pennsylvania, where the year’s title chase will intensify.
Stewart’s season in Top Fuel has been a mix of learning curves and rapid adaptation. In his rookie year on the drag strip, he has faced external scrutiny while his wife, Leah Pruett, pursues her own championship bid. Through it all, Stewart has shown resilience and consistency, scoring two race wins and holding the lead in the standings for stretches before Langdon surged ahead in Seattle.
With the Regular Season crown secured, the focus now shifts to maximizing momentum for the Countdown and positioning for the overall NHRA championship. Stewart’s ongoing involvement as a team owner and his plans for 2026 reflect a larger, long-term ambition that spans multiple forms of racing.
The broader implication of Stewart’s success is clear: a cross-discipline champion delivering results on a national drag racing stage helps broaden the sport’s appeal and showcases the talent pool NHRA is cultivating with its expanded prize structure. The $25 million prize pool signals NHRA’s strong commitment to rewarding excellence and drawing top athletes into drag racing’s spotlight, potentially drawing more fans and future champions into the sport.
Summary: Tony Stewart’s 2025 NHRA Regular Season Championship, secured at the U.S. Nationals, marks a milestone for a driver known across NASCAR, IndyCar, and beyond. The $150,000 Regular Season prize is part of NHRA’s $25 million season-long rewards, and Stewart now shifts focus to the Countdown to the Championship in Reading, PA, as he continues to push the boundaries of success across disciplines with an eye on 2026 and beyond.
Editor’s note: Stewart’s cross-discipline dominance and NHRA’s expanded prize structure could inspire more crossover athletes to test drag racing, potentially broadening the sport’s fan base and creating new opportunities for teams and sponsors. A positive sign for drag racing fans who relish seeing seasoned racers bring their leadership and adaptability to the track.