NASCAR Corridor of Famer Tony Stewart will return to full-time competitors this season — as an NHRA drag racer.

Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion, will run a Prime Alcohol dragster for McPhillips Racing for the complete 2023 NHRA season. Stewart, who turns 52 in Could, can be sponsored by longtime companion Mobil 1.

Stewart made his NHRA debut in a Prime Alcohol dragster final October on the Nevada Nationals, the place he superior to the finals and completed second by .0002 of a second. Stewart’s 5.258-second, 271.57 mph run within the finals got here up simply 1 inch wanting the win.

Cannot wait 💪🏼 Able to get behind the wheel for a full season within the @Mobil1 Prime Alcohol Dragster for McPhillips Racing!@mobil1racing pic.twitter.com/oycehyffb0

— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) February 14, 2023

Stewart, who owns a dash automotive crew and is co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR, final yr began an NHRA crew that fields one dragster in Prime Gas for his spouse, Leah Pruett, and Humorous Automobile for Matt Hagan.

“We have been engaged on placing this package deal along with the McPhillips household to broaden on what we did at Las Vegas final yr and get again within the seat,” Stewart stated. “I need to continue learning concerning the sport and have the chance to go compete extra this yr with a crew I actually take pleasure in.

“It is nerve-wracking to try to do one thing totally different, however when you may have a crew like what the McPhillips Racing crew has, it makes the whole lot lots simpler.”

Stewart, who has gained championships in NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC, can be competing for the NHRA Nationwide Championship this yr. Prime Alcohol drivers are eligible to earn factors at their first 10 nationwide occasions. Their finest six nationwide finishes from their eligible factors incomes occasions will represent their championship factors whole.

Stewart is not certain a title is in attain.

“It is exhausting to sit down there and know what expectations we must always have for the yr,” Stewart stated. “I believe so long as I continue learning an increasing number of as I am going by making an attempt to be extra per driving the automotive, maintain it within the groove, making an attempt to remain constant on response occasions and enhance response occasions, these are all targets for me. I need to continue learning and get higher each weekend and each race we go to.”

Stewart’s first race as a full-time drag racer would be the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, subsequent month. Along with the NHRA nationwide occasions Stewart may also compete in choose races within the Divisional Collection, beginning with the Child Gators at Gainesville Raceway from March 1-5.

“It has been like being a bit child once more,” Stewart stated. “After I was racing go-karts, I could not look ahead to the winter to be over so I may go racing. That is the place I am at once more.”