Over the past two years, Tony Stewart has honed his skills to pilot a dragster capable of accelerating from 0 to 330 mph in a matter of seconds. The transition from stock car racing to drag racing represented a significant change for the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. He acknowledges that adapting to the fast pace of endurance racing has tested his mental agility, but he's not entirely sure of his ability to process everything as quickly as the sport demands.
When asked about dealing with the challenges of fatherhood, especially changing diapers, Stewart laughs, revealing a more personal struggle. “I'm trying every way I can to avoid using diapers,” she shared in a recent interview. His wife Leah, who is expecting their first child in just two weeks, has made it clear that she will share those parenting responsibilities. Stewart understands his point of view, recognizing that this is an integral part of their new journey as parents.
The impending birth is a momentous occasion for Stewart, one that also overshadows his racing career. When the couple decided to expand their family, Leah retired from her role as a driver, allowing Stewart to take the wheel in drag racing, a field in which he was still finding his way.
The transition was not without difficulties. Stewart, a fierce competitor, relished the challenge of adapting to a new racing format. As he moves away from his NASCAR background, he finds satisfaction in the unique demands of drag racing, where cars can reach speeds of 334 mph in a matter of seconds. He describes the experience of drag racing as a mental race in itself, where his brain initially struggled to keep up with the speed of the car. “Your brain is trying to catch up, asking, 'What's happening? How do I stay engaged?'” he explained.
Stewart has now trained himself to understand the dynamics of the vehicle, responding quickly to its movements. However, it took him some time to adapt to the intense demands of endurance racing, where every second counts.
As the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) season finale approaches at the Pomona Dragstrip in California, Stewart finds himself in 10th place in the standings. This season has been challenging, with ten first-round eliminations in 19 events. However, he managed to reach the final once, securing a commendable second place in Sonoma. Despite being in contention for Rookie of the Year honors, Stewart admits the season hasn't turned out as he had hoped.
“I wish I could say it was a great year,” he reflected. “But it was tough. There has been a steep learning curve for me and the team as we work to improve the car's performance.”
After spending a year in a top-level dragster, Stewart moved up to the top fuel category this season, scoring three wins in the top spirits division. He initially feared he was the team's weak link, doubting his ability to contribute effectively. “I thought the team would function better without me,” he said. “Fortunately, my wife has been an incredible mentor and I quickly learned what I need to do as a driver.”
The change in mindset is what Stewart finds most striking between his previous running experiences and his current endeavors. He's used to long races, but drag racing is a sprint that requires a completely different focus. “In NASCAR and sprint car racing, the driver often contributes about 70 percent of the overall success,” he explained. “In NHRA, it's more than 70 percent tuning and 30 percent driving. There is not much a driver can do to increase speed, but many ways to hinder it or damage the engine.”
Stewart faced several challenges this season, including chassis specification changes that were uncertain in their impact on performance. Additionally, the weight difference due to Leah not being in the car was taken into account, although its exact significance remains unclear.
As for future plans, Stewart isn't sure if he'll take Leah's place at the start of next season. The NHRA has implemented rules that allow points earned by a substitute driver to be added to the primary driver's total, in case a driver needs to step back for reasons such as pregnancy.
“I can't pretend to know what giving birth or the recovery process entails,” Stewart admitted. “I'm learning and reading more about it. The road to recovery is not easy and we are still trying to figure things out. Ultimately, the decision will be Leah's. I'm just filling her in until she's ready to come back. This is her car and her team, and when she wants to come back, it will be waiting for her.
Bob Pockrass, a veteran motorsports journalist, covers NASCAR for FOX Sports, bringing decades of experience to his reporting, including extensive coverage of the Daytona 500.
