Tony Stewart will race in the Top Fuel All-Star Callout for the first time in his NHRA career. The motorsports legend and reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year will compete in the eight-car bonus race on March 8 during the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Stewart takes the eighth spot in the lineup, filling the position left by Tony Schumacher, who will not race in Gainesville. The eight-time Top Fuel world champion and 88-time event winner is expected to announce his 2025 racing plans in the coming weeks.
The special race features a unique callout format, giving eight Top Fuel drivers a chance to start the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season with a major win.
“I’m looking forward to competing in the Top Fuel Callout at Gainesville,” Stewart said. “The field is stacked with talent, and we won’t know who we are up against until we get there, so that adds an exciting element to the event. Hopefully, we’re able to bring home the trophy and some extra bonus money for the team for all their hard work.”
Four-time world champion Steve Torrence secured the top spot in the Callout for the second consecutive year. The official eight-car field includes:
- Steve Torrence
- Doug Kalitta
- Shawn Langdon
- Justin Ashley
- Antron Brown
- Brittany Force
- Clay Millican
- Tony Stewart
As part of the unique callout format, Torrence will have the first pick for his first-round opponent. The selection process continues down the line until all first-round matchups are set. The driver recording the quickest winning run in the first round will then choose their semifinal opponent.
Stewart will have his first opportunity to participate in the All-Star Callout, and being in the eighth spot means he will be called out by another driver in the opening round.
First-round selections will take place at noon ET on March 7 in the Top Eliminator Club, with the opening round of racing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on March 8. The semifinals will follow at 3 p.m., and the final round is set for 4:30 p.m. A special Callout broadcast will air on FS1 at 9 p.m. ET that evening.
Torrence won the inaugural All-Star Callout in 2022, while Josh Hart claimed victory from the No. 8 position in 2023, providing a feel-good story. Last year, Antron Brown defeated Brittany Force in the final under the lights in Gainesville, setting the stage for his fourth world championship run.
This year’s competitive bonus race field includes multiple world champions, with a big purse, a special trophy, and bragging rights on the line. The Gatornationals is one of the most historic races on the NHRA schedule.
Qualifying for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series features two rounds at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET on March 7, followed by two final qualifying rounds at 12:30 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. on March 8. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on March 9.
