Tony Stewart Comes Up 0.0002 Second Short in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Debut

• Madison Payne, a college student from Claremont, Calif., who’s a third-generation alcohol-class racer, edged Tony Stewart on Sunday as each scrapped for a first NHRA “Wally” statue.

• Stewart emphasized that his drag-racing driving debut at the Nevada Nationals at Las Vegas wasn’t about winning.

• Stewart also owns a two-car Camping World Drag Racing Series nitro-class team that features Top Fuel-driving wife Leah Pruett and Sunday’s Las Vegas Funny Car winner Matt Hagan.

The multi-time motorsports champion aced his first NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series test this weekend, qualifying second and recording runner-up finish

He insisted that his goal at the Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was to gain seat time He said before the event began that the weekend could determine whether he falls in love with drag racing

Tony Stewart emphasized that his drag-racing driving debut at the Nevada Nationals at Las Vegas wasn’t about winning.

Ultimately, he didn’t—but he came within two-10,000ths of a second of scoring a Top Alcohol Dragster victory Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Madison Payne, a college student from Claremont, Calif., who’s a third-generation alcohol-class racer, edged Stewart as each scrapped for a first “Wally” statue (named for NHRA founder Wally Parks). His 5.258-second elapsed time at 271.57 mph on the quarter-mile course couldn’t trump her 5.262, 275.90.

It was the 91st Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series victory for Payne’s family. She is the daughter of former Top Fuel driver Shelly Anderson-Payne and Top Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Modified veteran Jay Payne. She's also the granddaughter of legendary racer-engine builder Brad Anderson.

She said, “I didn’t feel there was any pressure on me (lining up against Stewart). I saw the nose of his car and was just holding on, hoping for the best. I’m glad to have my own trophy. My house is full of them, and none has my name on it.”)

Stewart qualified No. 2 in the 16-car field, even though he never had raced with a driver in the opposite lane until his second qualifying run Friday. Then in the McPhillips Racing Mobil 1-branded nitro-injected dragster, he defeated his first two elimination-round opponents, James Stevens and Taylor Vetter Saturday afternoon. As eliminations continued Sunday, Stewart beat former class champion Chris Demke in the semifinals.