Tony Stewart delivered a statement performance Sunday night, earning his first Top Fuel win at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona during the NHRA Winternationals.

The victory marked Stewart’s third career Top Fuel win and the first nitro victory for Elite Motorsports, a milestone moment for the organization.

After a race filled with delays due to weather and on-track incidents, Stewart lined up against rising star Justin Ashley in the final round under the lights. Ashley got the early jump off the line, but Stewart quickly chased him down and took control before the 60-foot mark.

From there, Stewart never looked back, crossing the finish line in 3.683 seconds at 332.51 mph, edging Ashley’s 3.714-second run.

Stewart credited the team’s belief and preparation for finally breaking through.

“I knew everything we needed to win was already here,” Stewart said. “I just didn’t know when it would all come together. To see it happen this quickly is incredible.”

The win was especially meaningful for Stewart, who highlighted the impact of his wife, Leah Pruett, on his drag racing career. He emphasized her guidance and experience as a major factor in his transition to Top Fuel competition.

Stewart also pointed to the strength of his crew, including veteran leadership from crew chief Mike Green, as a key piece of the team’s success.

On his path to victory, Stewart defeated a strong lineup that included Josh Hart and former world champion Shawn Langdon.

The momentum now shifts to the next stop on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule, as Elite Motorsports heads to zMAX Dragway for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, set for April 24-26 just outside Charlotte.

For Stewart and the team, the breakthrough win could be the start of something much bigger.