logo
Tony Stewart's NHRA Top Fuel Car Explodes At Norwalk: Driver Shares Update

Tony Stewart's NHRA Top Fuel Car Explodes At Norwalk: Driver Shares Update

Newsweek28-06-2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
NASCAR legend Tony Stewart has provided an update after his Top Fuel car exploded during his first qualifying run at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio.
As he took on Shawn Langdon in qualifying, Stewart got off the line only for his engine to explode. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was able to avoid crashing into the barriers and exited the dragster without assistance.
"I'm going to be babysitting everybody's kids and mowing everybody's yards before this is over," Stewart said to the media.
"It's been a tough day for us. I'm proud of our Dodge Direct Connection team. To sit there after Q1 and get it put back together and get us ready for Q2 here.
Fox host Tony Stewart looks on during the NTT IndyCar Series109th Running Of The Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Fox host Tony Stewart looks on during the NTT IndyCar Series109th Running Of The Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana."Great effort by these guys. Proud of our guys. It's just we're going to have to sit and figure out what the hell is going on. This shit is getting expensive real quick."
He also shared an update for his fans on social media, writing:
"It's been an expensive day. After a huge explosion during our Q1 pass, my Direct Connection team got it all back together for Q2, throwing down a 3.755 ET @327.11 MPH to put us in the provisional 3rd qualifying position, but banged the blower. We'll get things sorted out and be back at it tomorrow at 12pm for the Mission Foods US #2Fast2TastyChallenge."
It's been an expensive day. After a huge explosion during our Q1 pass, my #DirectConnection team got it all back together for Q2, throwing down a 3.755 ET @327.11 MPH to put us in the provisional 3rd qualifying position, but banged the blower. We'll get things sorted out and be… pic.twitter.com/w6MWdPRVw9 — Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) June 28, 2025
Stewart went on to qualifying in third behind Justin Ashley and Antron Brown, respectively. John Force Racing driver Brittany Force qualified just behind Stewart in fourth.
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals: Top Fuel Qualifying results
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Potential Cup Series Landing Spot Emerges for Daniel Suárez in NASCAR Free Agency
Potential Cup Series Landing Spot Emerges for Daniel Suárez in NASCAR Free Agency

Yahoo

time16 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Potential Cup Series Landing Spot Emerges for Daniel Suárez in NASCAR Free Agency

Trackhouse Racing announced early this summer that Daniel Suárez would not return as the driver of the No. 99 car next season. One year removed from making the playoffs, Suárez is now entering NASCAR free agency at a time of significant uncertainty. However, there could be one Cup Series spot on the table. Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported that Spire Motorsports driver Justin Haley is very much on the hot seat right now. While an official decision on his 2026 status hasn't been made, Suárez is a potential replacement option if the team moves off Haley. 'One potential option is if Spire elects to move on from Haley. Signing Suárez would give Spire a veteran who has won multiple races and would be highly motivated to prove he deserves to remain in Cup.' The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi on Spire Motorsports as a potential landing spot for Daniel Suarez Related: Daniel Suarez stats (): 363 points, 3 top 10s, 1 top five, 6 DNFs, 30 laps led, 23.826 average starting position, 22.0 average finishing position However, even that isn't a given. That's because Spire is still undecided on whether Suárez would even be an upgrade in the No. 7 car over Haley. Even if the seat is offered, per Bianchi, Suárez 'would likely prefer' a multi-year deal, and Spire would likely want to keep its options open for a deeper and more talented pool of NASCAR free agents following the 2026 season. Trackhouse offers better equipment than Spire, but Haley has a better finishing position (21.304) and fewer DNFs (one) than Suárez. On the other hand, Suárez won a Cup race last season (Ambetter Health 400), and he has more top-20 finishes (three) than Haley (one) this year. Related: Most around racing agree that the best option for Suárez is to return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He could drive for JR Motorsports, which is poised to lose Connor Zilisch to the Cup level, the same team Suárez won The Chilango 150 at Mexico City with in June. He would be a championship contender, with a strong season in 2026 positioning him to land a better Cup ride the following offseason. Suárez, who turns 34 years old in January, has made it clear that he wants to remain in the Cup Series, where he can make significantly more money. However, considering how few open seats there are for next season, he might be left with no other option but to return to the Xfinity Series. Related: Related Headlines Report Sheds New Light on What Terry McLaurin Trade Would Cost Buffalo Bills 'It's So Hideous': Eagles Star A.J. Brown Refused to Commit to Georgia Over Socks Celtics star Jayson Tatum visits Patriots' Wednesday practice Phillies Ace Dodges Serious Injury After Sore Shoulder Pushes Back Start

NASCAR Rumors: Justin Haley on Hot Seat, Spire Motorsports Could Replace Him This Season
NASCAR Rumors: Justin Haley on Hot Seat, Spire Motorsports Could Replace Him This Season

Yahoo

time16 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

NASCAR Rumors: Justin Haley on Hot Seat, Spire Motorsports Could Replace Him This Season

Cup Series driver Justin Haley finds himself well outside the playoff picture heading into the NASCAR race today and his history on road courses suggests finishing outside the top 20 is very likely. That could pose a problem since the driver of the No. 7 car is reportedly on the hot seat and in jeopardy of being booted. Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported that Haley's seat with Spire Motorsports might be 'scorching' right now, with ownership not happy with the results its third driver has delivered this season. While a change isn't imminent, Spire could reportedly make an in-season change if Haley doesn't show 'considerable improvement' soon. 'There is no hotter seat in the garage than Justin Haley's. How could it not be scorching, considering the performance disparity between him and his two Spire Motorsports teammates? Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell each have been regularly competitive and close to winning.' The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi on Spire Motorsports driver Justin Haley Related: Justin Haley stats (): 378 points, 1 top 10, 0 top 5s, 0 poles, 1 DNF, 18 laps led, 22.208 average starting position, 21.304 average finishing position in 23 races However, the decision to replace Haley isn't cut-and-dry. An overwhelming majority of the top Cup Series drivers are under contract for next season. The pool of talent in NASCAR free agency this offseason thinned out quickly, leaving Spire with limited options who would be viewed as a true upgrade. The team also knows that it hasn't necessarily put Haley in the best position for success. In April, just nine races into the year, Spire parted ways with Haley's crew chief Rodney Childers. In addition, Haley lost four members of his pit crew to Kyle Larson's No. 5 car when it needed to make changes. Read More: Haley, in his age-26 season, certainly hasn't performed up to expectations since joining Spire in the No. 7 car. Over the last two seasons, he has just four top-10 finishes, and he ranks 29th in average finishing position over the last 36 races among full-time drivers. His teammates, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar, have also easily outperformed him. While Spire's frustrations with its lack of success from its third full-time car are understandable, it doesn't have many other options. Even if a target emerges, the team would also have to deal with its reputation for being a bit impatient with its drivers, even those whose supporting cast gets overhauled abruptly. Ultimately, all that matters to Spire is the results. For Haley, he just has to hope that he can return to the recent form he delivered in July that led to three top-20 finishes, including 12th in the Brickyard 400. Related Headlines Connor Zilisch Injury Update: NASCAR Star Provides Insight on Timeline for Return Could MLB buy the Savannah Bananas? Co-Owner Jesse Cole Weighs in on Possibility Patriots' Will Campbell gives brutally honest assessment of NFL preseason debut San Diego Padres Game Today: Includes Full 2025 Padres Schedule

WATCH: Austin Hill Causes Massive Wreck in First Race Back from Suspension, NASCAR Reactions
WATCH: Austin Hill Causes Massive Wreck in First Race Back from Suspension, NASCAR Reactions

Yahoo

time17 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

WATCH: Austin Hill Causes Massive Wreck in First Race Back from Suspension, NASCAR Reactions

Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill returned from his one-race suspension on Saturday for the race at Watkins Glen International. Unsurprisingly, the driver of the No. 21 car was involved in what will likely be the biggest wreck in NASCAR this weekend. With 9 laps to go in the final stage, Hill and Cup driver Michael McDowell came around the corner and approached the wall. With Hill on the verge of running into the wall, he turned his car and hooked McDowell's rear. That immediately caused McDowell's No. 11 car to spin and crash directly into the wall. Related: Austin Hill stats (): 650 points, 3 wins, 12 top 10s, 9 top 5s, 3 DNFs, 287 laps led, 9.048 average starting position, 13.095 average finishing position The No. 11 bounced off the wall and then slid to the other side and took another hit from Hill. While the No. 21 car survived the collision, the crash also took out drivers Taylor Gray, Jesse Love, Ryan Sieg, William Sawalich, Dean Thompson, and other drivers. 'What the heck is that guy doing? I mean why would he do that? … He hooked me.' Michael McDowell on the radio after contact with Austin Hill (via Dustin Long) NASCAR brought out the red flag, pausing the race as medical crews attended to all the drivers injured in the crash and then removed the cars from the track. Ahead of the final restart, Connor Zilisch's crew chief, Mardy Lindley, told the broadcast that the team now had to be cautious around Hill on the restart. Multiple drivers also voiced their frustration with Hill's driving on the radio. Related: NASCAR's one-race suspension of Hill, for what it deemed to be the intentional wrecking of Justin Allgaier at Indianapolis Motor Speedway two weeks ago, also resulted in him forfeiting all 21 of his playoff points. Under NASCAR rules, while he was granted a waiver for playoff eligibility, Hill can't earn any playoff points for the remainder of the regular season. 'As soon as I saw that he was getting tight to the grass, I should have lifted. That one was definitely on me…Destroyed a lot of race cars, really unfortunate.' Austin Hill to the CW Network on the incident with Michael McDowell The CW Network spoke to Hill over the radio after the crash. Hill said that McDowell had been 'struggling a bit' ahead of him in the carousel. He thought he could get ahead of him, but wasn't able to. In hindsight, he admits he should've just gotten behind him and the wreck isn't what he wanted to happen, but it was simply an accident. NASCAR World Reacts to Austin Hill's Latest Wreck Immediately following the crash, NASCAR drivers, fans, and analysts wasted little time calling Hill out for his reckless driving and raising the point that he's a danger on the track for all other drivers. We'll find out next week whether or not NASCAR feels Hill's actions warrant another suspension. Related Headlines 2025 NFL Offense Rankings: Evaluating All 32 Teams After Week 1 of the Preseason New York Jets: Justin Fields TD Drive Among Key Takeaways from 30-10 Preseason Win vs. Packers Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection After Dominant Win In Preseason Opener Khamzat Chimaev Next Fight: 'Borz' Is Back This Saturday Night to Headline UFC 319

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store