Perhaps the most decorated “rookie” driver in the history of professional drag racing, racing icon and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart looked like a veteran behind the wheel of the 11,000-horsepower Tony Stewart Racing Dodge//SRT Direct Connection dragster in his Top Fuel debut weekend at the 55^th annual Amalie NHRA Gatornationals.

Stewart, a champion driver in NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC competition, replaced his wife, Leah Pruett, in the cockpit of the TSR Top Fuel dragster, doing so with some apprehension in switching from Top Alcohol Dragster a year ago to the highly competitive nitro-burning Top Fuel category.

The 52-year-old driver from Indiana known as “Smoke” entered the event with limited testing due to rain, but showed he will be a challenger in the Top Fuel division, just as his wife was in the championship battle a season ago. Tony clocked strong qualifying runs in his debut, going 3.725, 3.739 and 3.791 to enter Sunday’s elimination rounds ninth.

Despite being defeated in the opening round by young Justin Ashley, Stewart recorded the quickest reaction time during Top Fuel eliminations Sunday with an 0.021. Stewart left the starting line first, ahead of Ashley’s .031, and led at half-track before both cars lost traction in the opening pairing of the round. Stewart displayed his skill by pedaling the car and trailing the more experienced Ashley across the line in a tight race, 4.453 to Ashley’s 4.414.

“I’m extremely pleased with my first Top Fuel weekend, even with the first-round loss today,” said Stewart. “I cut an 0.21 light against the best leaver in the Top Fuel division, Justin Ashley, and beat him off the line. We were the first pair of cars down the track on Sunday morning, so we really didn’t know what to expect. I felt the tires start to shake and I pedaled the throttle. I got back into the pedal as quickly as I could. But Justin just nipped me at the line. I’m elated with how things went overall this weekend. I feel we showed a solid performance with the car and myself. There is zero shame in my eyes, even losing to Justin. Seven other guys went home after the first round too.

“As a rookie in Top Fuel, I hope I gained the respect of the other competitors in the class. I feel I was consistent with my starting line procedures. I have learned a lot from Leah and Matt (Hagan) with these nitro cars. Making that first qualifying run Friday afternoon was the most nerve-wracking for me. Going from the alcohol car (2023) to the Top Fuel car is similar to going from a Busch (stock car) to a Cup car. The cars are different, but the procedures are the same for me. I’m not leaving here (NHRA Gatornationals) thinking I know everything about Top Fuel racing. I know it’s going to be a long learning process. It’s a tough situation for Leah not being in the car right now, but she has been the best coach for me. I would have liked to advance further today, but that’s racing and I’m still learning with each run down the track.”

The Tony Stewart Racing camp — or as a joking Pruett displayed with a sign on the door of the hauler, Leah Stewart Racing — documented the entire weekend in this two-part video series, as one of racing’s greats entered a most unexpected new chapter in his racing life.