NASCAR Corridor of Famer Tony Stewart will make his drag racing debut this weekend on the NHRA Nevada Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Stewart will compete for McPhillips Racing in a High Alcohol dragster — the equal of NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Sequence.

“I am excited and nervous on the similar time,” Stewart mentioned. “It is positively going to be a giant studying curve, and to do it at a nationwide occasion proper out of the gate provides to the problem. Nevertheless it’s one thing I’ve actually been eager to do, and I have been working towards this second. I am not taking it frivolously. It is a severe enterprise, and I will be as ready as attainable after I get to Las Vegas.”

Stewart is assured a minimal of 4 passes starting with Q1 and Q2 on Friday, Q3 on Saturday and at the very least the primary spherical of eliminations Sunday.

Though he has a High Gas license — earned over two multiday classes at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing Faculty and a handful of assessments over the previous two years — the 51-year-old felt High Alcohol was a wiser entry level.

“I have been a rookie in quite a lot of totally different vehicles over the course of my profession. That half will not be new, however the drag racing aspect is so totally different from something I’ve pushed up to now. It is all about procedures and understanding the routine and doing it the identical each time,” Stewart mentioned. “In all the opposite types of racing, you blow a nook and also you repair it and do higher the following lap. There is no such thing as a subsequent lap in case you screw up in these vehicles. You need to do it the identical each time for the staff to have the ability to tune the automotive the best means, and you need to do your job. You need to minimize good lights and keep within the groove.”

The three-time NASCAR champion, one-time IndyCar champion and USAC triple crown winner is in his first season of NHRA possession. Tony Stewart Racing fields a High Gas dragster for his spouse, Leah Pruett, and a Humorous Automotive for Matt Hagan. Each drivers have certified for NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship.

“There are quite a lot of issues individuals do not take into consideration simply by watching on tv. I’ve realized lots from our groups this 12 months,” Stewart mentioned. “I am certain it will likely be sensory overload, however you need to begin someplace.”

Stewart’s drag racing debut could have sponsorship from longtime accomplice Mobil 1, which was each a sponsor and technical accomplice for him when he gained his third Cup title in 2011. Stewart’s partnership with Mobil 1 encompasses Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR and Tony Stewart Racing in NHRA and the World of Outlaws Dash Automotive Sequence.

“All through his storied profession, Tony has been identified for his dedication and dedication to his craft, which is why he is lengthy been an ideal match as a Mobil 1 accomplice,” mentioned Rob Shearer, an ExxonMobil advertising director. “His want to be distinctive has at all times aligned with our purpose to do the identical.

“His laser focus and intense aggressive spirit that everyone knows so nicely might be on show as soon as once more, however this time on a quarter-mile dragstrip. We’re trying ahead to cheering him on in his NHRA debut.”