Tony Stewart disqualified from NHRA Carolina Nationals for ignition part

The NHRA Top Alcohol points leader, Tony Stewart, was disqualified from Carolina Nationals at ZMax Dragway on Saturday. Stewart’s McPhillips Racing dragster was found to have an unapproved ignition part. Due to the DQ, the NASCAR icon will receive zero points for the weekend, per the NHRA rulebook.

This is a big blow to Tony Stewart’s championship efforts. The ignition part in question was the magnetos in the ignition. A magneto is an electric generator with a permanent magnet fixed inside. It enables the ignition of the engine (duh).

“McPhillips Racing prides itself in being honorable in all of our racing competition,” the team said in a statement, via AutoWeek. “Prior to Tony (Stewart’s) Round 1 of eliminations at the Carolina Nationals, NHRA confiscated the magnetos on Tony’s Top Alcohol dragster. It was brought to our attention that the magnetos, which we had purchased used from another team, were found to not be within NHRA’s tolerance. The part had been unknowingly modified prior to us purchasing it. The part is not required to be certified in our Top Alcohol category.

“We regret that Tony was unable to compete in the Carolina Nationals due to this violation. The team is solely owned by McPhillips and Tony has no say in the purchase of parts. McPhillips Racing accepts full responsibility and going forward, we will be more vigilant in inspecting and testing used parts that we purchase.”

So, the team will try and move on and battle next time for their points lead. Not earning any points on the weekend is going to hurt. While Top Alcohol Dragster isn’t the highest division in the NHRA, it is incredibly competitive.

Tony Stewart moving on to the next round

All that Tony Stewart and his team can do now is prepare for the next one. NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway, formerly Gateway, is up on the schedule. Next week will be another intense weekend of racing.

Four more events remain on the national schedule. Texas, Las Vegas, and California are up after St. Louis next week. Stewart is looking to win a championship this season. The Top Alcohol Dragster field will pick up points and close the distance on him, at least for this week.

Having an entire weekend thrown out is never good. Tony Stewart is a champion in IndyCar, USAC, NASCAR, and almost anything he’s ever raced in. NHRA glory is next up, but this disqualification is going to cost him.