Stewart, Langdon and Kalitta brace for intense Top Fuel Countdown at Maple Grove

As the NHRA Countdown to the Championship opens at Maple Grove Raceway, the Top Fuel standings are headed into the six-race playoff stretch with Tony Stewart, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta at the forefront. Each driver brings deep experience, but the compressed format leaves no margin for error. The trio spoke during a recent video conference to outline how they plan to approach the postseason. Stewart arrives as the regular-season points leader in only his second full Top Fuel campaign. A three-time NASCAR Cup champion, he conceded that the Countdown’s pressure feels both familiar and new. “My NASCAR days included long seasons and, later, a playoff structure,” Stewart said. “This Countdown is simpler in one way — it’s about who scores the most over six events — but that simplicity makes every pass count.” He stressed that attention to small details will be decisive. With Neal Strausbaugh as crew chief, Stewart praised his team’s consistency while highlighting the importance of sharp preparation and quick recovery from setbacks. “We have to treat each outing like it matters more than ever,” Stewart added. “Crew members checking each other, crew chiefs dialing in track spots —...