“Well deserved!!”: Fans react as Tony Stewart wins major NHRA honor in his debut year

Retired NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has made his presence known in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) this season. The three-time Cup Series title holder was named the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year.

The news was announced by NASCAR on FOX reporter Bob Pockrass on X. The racing insider noted the award was incumbent on the media's vote and it covers all NHRA divisions. He wrote:

"Tony Stewart was named NHRA Rookie of the Year (it is done by media vote and spans all divisions)."

The announcement sparked many reactions from race fans who offered congratulations to the former champion NASCAR driver. One wrote their feelings on Stewart's award and expressed optimism for his future in the series, writing on X:

"LOVE THIS!! Well deserved!!! Can't wait for him to win the championship next year!!"

There were other positive comments for the former co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and his award. One user thanked Pockrass for the news update while also praising Stewart, writing:

"Thank you Pockrass…Congrats Tony! The media loves you!"

"LETS GOOO," commented another.

"W," another fan opined.

However, not everyone was celebrating Stewart's award as some raised eyebrows on whether the 49-time Cup Series winner was worthy of being named the best rookie this year. One user said:

"Damn shame, he didn’t do that great. 9th in points, non factor in most events, no finals. Beat a guy that placed 3rd in points with several final rounds."

Another user found the idea of the "media vote" humorous, writing:

"Media vote? 😂"

A third user made a reference to SHR and its former employees seeing Stewart out enjoying himself along with a GIF of former NBA player Alonzo Mourning shaking his head. SHR ceased operations at the end of the 2024 season.

"Former SHR employees seeing that the boss is at least having fun," they wrote.

Stewart finished ninth in the final NHRA Top Fuel standings. The Indiana native advanced to two final rounds, four semifinals, and clinched a spot in the Countdown to the Championship.

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Tony Stewart's wife, Leah Pruett, gave birth to the couple's first child on Sunday

Tony Stewart became a first-time dad on Sunday as his wife, Leah Pruett, gave birth to their baby boy, Dominic. It was a frantic weekend for Stewart as he was busy with NHRA duties in between the birth of his son.

Pruett took to Instagram on Tuesday to share photos of herself, her husband, and their newborn. In a lengthy caption, Pruett walked her followers through the hectic weekend she and Stewart endured. She ended the post by saying:

"We are so happy with hearts so full. Thank you everyone for the love texts these past couple days 😘 Giving birth was the most exhausting thing my body and mind has ever experienced. Can’t wait to recover with my lil family!"

Since retiring from NASCAR competition in 2016, Stewart has made sporadic appearances in the NASCAR on FOX TV booth while continuing to own Stewart-Haas Racing until it closed its doors at the end of this season. He began racing in the NHRA this year while his wife stepped aside to start their family.