Tony Stewart’s Midlife Crisis Comes with 11,000 Horsepower
When most people hit their 50s, they start hearing the siren call of retirement—slow days, golf carts, and porch swings. But not Tony Stewart. He’s 53 and tearing down dragstrips in an 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster like he’s got something to prove.
While others are trading in adrenaline for orthopedic shoes, Stewart just snagged his first NHRA Top Fuel win in Las Vegas—a city that feels tailor-made for his fiery, no-holds-barred energy. This is the same Stewart who’s got an IndyCar championship, three NASCAR Cup titles, a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and enough dirt-track experience and on-track feuds to fill several highlight reels.
People thought he was slowing down when he left the driver’s seat in 2016, and again when he sold his stake in Stewart-Haas Racing last season. But instead of riding off into the sunset, Stewart’s still full throttle—blasting past expectations at 330 mph and now, surprisingly, juggling fatherhood too.
Yep, on top of drag racing, Stewart just became a first-time dad. At 53. Because winning races apparently wasn’t enough of a thrill. That Vegas win? It wasn’t just another trophy—it was a statement. He’s still here, still hungry, and still chasing victory.
Reflecting on the win, Stewart compared it to launching Stewart-Haas Racing back in 2009—another moment when critics thought he was nuts. But just like then, it wasn’t about proving them wrong; it was about proving that the team he built could win.
And then there’s the softer side of “Smoke” emerging—husband, dad, legacy-builder. Sharing the moment with his wife Leah and baby son Dom added a new depth to the victory. Stewart got emotional thinking about how Dom won’t see him race in NASCAR or IndyCar, but he’ll have photos in Victory Lane. He was there. Part of it.
And Leah? She’s not just cheering from the sidelines—she’s a force on the NHRA circuit herself. So naturally, fans are wondering: when are the Stewarts racing head-to-head?
With Tony Stewart, anything’s possible. Just don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon.
