Tony Stewart Racing
TSR Dodge//SRT Driver Hagan Captures Fourth NHRA Funny Car Championship
Teammate Pruett Takes Direct Connection Top Fueler to Pomona Final
Pomona, CA – Matt Hagan joined drag racing royalty Sunday at the NHRA In-N- Out Burger Finals when he secured his fourth career 
NHRA Camping World Funny Car championship in the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat machine.
Hagan, a six-time NHRA national event winner this year, joined legends John Force, Don Prudhomme and Kenny Bernstein as the only four-time Funny Car World Champions with his second-round finish in the final race in the 21-event NHRA national tour.
Leah Pruett, Hagan’s TSR teammate, nearly made it a “double up” TSR Dodge//SRT championship for the Direct Connection team when she advanced to the final round against Doug Kalitta in a “winner takes the title” finale. Unfortunately, Pruett was defeated by Kalitta, 3.673 to a 3.720, earning the runner-up spot in the TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel dragster.
Hagan entered the season-ending race in Pomona, California, with a 15-point lead in the “Countdown” for the Funny Car title. After qualifying fourth (3.869 seconds) in the 16-car field, Hagan defeated Alex Laughlin in the opening round and lost a wild second round matchup with Blake Alexander in which both drivers smoked the tires. With his chief challengers – Bob Tasca III and Robert Hight – also losing in the second-round, Hagan notched his fourth World title and first for Tony Stewart Racing.
Leah Pruett & Matt Hagan Still in the Fight for World Championships in Top Fuel and Funny Car
Pomona, CA – This weekend’s In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip is the 21st and final race on the 2023 
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ schedule, and the iconic California venue is where the six-race Countdown to the Championship culminates. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Leah Pruett (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) both made the Countdown in 2023, with Pruett securing her seventh Countdown appearance while Hagan earned his spot in the NHRA postseason for the 12th time.
Pruett enters Pomona third in the Top Fuel standings, 34 points behind championship leader Steve Torrence. Hagan is leading in the Funny Car standings, 15 points ahead of Bob Tasca III.
Pruett and Hagan kept their title hopes alive with TSR’s first double-up victory at the series’ Texas NHRA FallNationals October 13-15 near Dallas, Texas. The wins moved Pruett and Hagan into the points lead in their respective categories entering the previous event, the NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas.
Torrence, Kalitta, Pruett, Salinas, Ashley and Brown are the Top Fuel competitors still in championship contention. Torrence leads, with Kalitta 15 points back, Pruett 34 points behind, Salinas 76 points back, Ashley 82 points behind and Brown 146 points behind Torrence. Torrence is a four-time champion (2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021). Kalitta, Pruett, Salinas and Ashley are all seeking their first title. Brown is a three-time champion (2012, 2015 and 2016).
POINTS LEADERS PRUETT AND HAGAN HEAD TO LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas – The NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the second-to-last race on the NHRA Camping World 
Drag Racing Series’ 21-race schedule and it is the fifth round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Leah Pruett (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) are both in the Countdown, with 2023 marking Pruett’s seventh appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 12th.
Pruett and Hagan earned TSR’s first double-up win at the previous event, the Texas NHRA FallNationals. Pruett is leading the Top Fuel standings heading into Las Vegas, 4 points ahead of Doug Kalitta. Hagan is leading the Funny Car standings, 36 points ahead of Bob Tasca III. Pruett’s best career points finish is fourth, earned three times (2018, 2019 and 2020). Hagan is a three-time champion (2011, 2014 and 2020).
Direct Connection is the primary partner of Pruett and Hagan this weekend in Las Vegas. With muscle car enthusiasts looking for “ready to run” parts, Direct Connection serves as the source for high-performance parts and technical expertise straight from the factory. The Top Fuel Dragster and Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car are featured in Sublime green. Sublime was first introduced during the 1970 model year. The Dodge Charger and Challenger, in current form, are coming to an end after this year. Dodge is bringing back the iconic color for consumers to bring nostalgia to the highways and purchase their own commemorative last call vehicle.
AS THE 2023 NHRA SEASON GROWS CLOSER TO THE END, PRUETT AND HAGAN HEAD TO ‘THE PLEX’
Ennis, TX – The Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas is the 19th race on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing 
Series’ 21-race schedule and it is the fourth round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Leah Pruett (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) are both in the Countdown, with 2023 marking Pruett’s seventh appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 12th.
Pruett is second in the Top Fuel standings heading into Dallas, 47 points behind championship leader Doug Kalitta. It marks her highest standing since September 27, 2020, when she was second entering eliminations at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. Hagan is third in the Funny Car standings, 13 points behind leader Bob Tasca III. Pruett’s best career points finish is fourth, earned three times (2018, 2019 and 2020). Hagan is a three-time champion (2011, 2014 and 2020).
Pruett and Hagan come into Dallas representing Mobil 1 and American Rebel, respectively. Pruett’s Top Fuel dragster carries the colors of Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand. Meanwhile, Hagan’s Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car is emblazoned with American Rebel, one of the most desirable residential safes on the market. Continue reading
Pruett & Hagan Head to NHRA Midwest Nationals in St Louis
Madison, IL – The NHRA Midwest Nationals near St. Louis is the 18th race on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ 21-race 
schedule and it is the third round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Leah Pruett (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) are both in the Countdown, with 2023 marking Pruett’s seventh appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 12th.
Pruett is fourth in the Top Fuel standings heading into St. Louis, 76 points behind championship leader Doug Kalitta. Hagan is tied for third with Ron Capps in the Funny Car standings, 69 points behind leader Robert Hight. Pruett’s best career points finish is fourth, earned three times (2018, 2019 and 2020). Hagan is a three-time champion (2011, 2014 and 2020).
Pruett is representing Code 3 Associates on her Top Fuel dragster at St. Louis. Hagan, meanwhile, has American Rebel on his Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car.
Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Expands Partnership at Tony Stewart Racing
Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage to Serve as Primary Sponsor of Matt Hagan’s Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car for a Minimum of Six Events per year in a Multi-Year Agreement
BROWNSBURG, IN – Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage (JHG) has extended their partnership with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) in the NHRA 
Camping World Drag Racing Series, with the Tennessee-based company being named primary sponsor for a minimum of six events in a multi-year agreement on the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car of three-time champion Matt Hagan.
JHG is increasing their partnership with TSR from two primary events in 2023 to six events starting in 2024, with the possibility of adding additional races. Their 2023 primary races included the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, California and the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2024, JHG will serve as the primary sponsor of Hagan during the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee, the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals and the Texas NHRA FallNationals in Ennis, Texas. The red car design will feature JHG on the hood and side panels of Hagan’s 11,000-horsepower machine. For all other races, JHG will be featured in an associate partner position.
“We are very excited to be sponsoring Matt Hagan’s TSR Funny Car and continue our growing relationship in the upcoming seasons,” said Jason Johnson, Owner and President, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage. “Our continued sponsorship with Elite Motorsports, and now the new mountain motor program only add to that. Tony (Stewart) and Richard (Freeman) both have great race programs and are the future of this sport.”
On to Round 2 of the Countdown for Leah Pruett & Matt Hagan
Charlotte, NC – The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals near Charlotte, North Carolina, is the 17th race on the NHRA Camping World Drag 
Racing Series’ 21-race schedule and it serves as the second race in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan are eyeing a title run in their respective Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions. This year’s Countdown marks Pruett’s seventh appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 12th.
Pruett is currently fourth in the Top Fuel standings heading into the second round of Countdown, 54 points behind leader Steve Torrence. Hagan is fourth in the Funny Car standings, 51 points behind leader Robert Hight.
Pruett comes into Charlotte representing Rinnai America Corporation on her red, white, gray and black Top Fuel dragster. Hagan, meanwhile, sports red on his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car.
Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating A Healthier Way of Living©.
Mobil 1 McPhillips Racing Top Alcohol Dragster Wins at Maple Grove
Reading, PA – Stewart earned his fourth win in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. His three previous wins came at the NHRA Four-
Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, the North Central Division Race in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Northeast Division Race in Reading, Pennsylvania.
With the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals win at Maple Grove Raceway, Stewart took over the Top Alcohol Dragster championship standings.
In addition to a national championship, Stewart is also vying for a regional championship in the North Central Region. He’s leading the North Central Region championship point standings with a total of 309 points, 75 points ahead of teammate Mike Coughlin.
“I’ve raced a lot on Mondays in the past with NASCAR, IndyCar, or sprint car races. It’s different when you are drag racing. You get into a cadence and rhythm of the day because you have your adrenaline going up and down all day long. The rain that we had yesterday interrupts everything and gets you out of sync. This morning, you wake up, take a shower, and come warm up the car. Then you get dressed and run in the Final. It’s definitely not the way you want to have to go into Monday, but I’m glad we made it to Monday and I’m glad we pulled this off.
Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan Head to the First Stop on the Championship Countdown – Maple Grove
Reading, PA – This year’s Countdown marks Pruett’s seventh appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 12th. Pruett is fourth heading 
into the Countdown, 58 points behind leader Justin Ashley. Hagan is second, 24 points behind leader Ron Capps.
Hagan has the best won-loss percentage (68.8% – 117-53) in the Countdown to the Championship among eligible Funny Car Drivers. He is second only to Robert Hight in Countdown Funny Car wins, with 13 (Hight has 14).
Pruett and Hagan come into Reading representing Mobil 1 and Rinnai America Corporation, respectively. Pruett’s Top Fuel dragster carries the colors of Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand. Meanwhile, Hagan’s Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car is emblazoned with Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation. Established in 1974 and headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga., Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating A Healthier Way of Living©.
Leah Pruett & Matt Hagan, Dodge Direct Connection Drivers, Head to Indy Looking for Glory!
Indianapolis, IN – The Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals Sept. 1-4 at Indianapolis Raceway Park is the NHRA Camping World 
Drag Racing Series’ regular season finale. The Big Go marks the 15th race on the 21-race calendar before the Countdown to the Championship begins Sept. 14-17 with the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) brings its two fulltime entries to Indianapolis this Labor Day Weekend – one in Top Fuel for 11-time event winner Leah Pruett and one in Funny Car for 47-time Funny Car winner and three-time champion Matt Hagan.
At the conclusion of the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals, the top-10 drivers in the standings in each of the four professional categories of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – qualify for the Countdown to the Championship. The top-10 drivers in each class then compete in the final, six-race playoffs to vie for the title. Coming into Indianapolis, Pruett is fifth in the Top Fuel championship standings, 262 points behind leader Justin Ashley. Hagan, meanwhile, is second in the Funny Car championship standings, 21 points behind leader Ron Capps. Both drivers have secured their position in the Countdown to the Championship.
The Big Go is always a big deal, and the points that can be earned in the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals reflect the magnitude of the event. Round wins are worth 1.5 times more at Indianapolis (30 points per round). Pruett and Hagan will also participate in five qualifying rounds, versus the standard three or four rounds at all other events. At the conclusion of the weekend, points will be adjusted for the start of the Countdown to the Championship. First and second place will be separated by 20 points, while the remaining top-10 drivers are separated in 10-point increments. Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge points from the season will be added on top of the points reset. Each Challenge win is worth three bonus points, runner-ups earn two points, and the quickest losing semifinalist earns one point. Hagan has earned 10 points in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge this season. Pruett has earned three points thus far, with the possibility of earning more points in Indianapolis.
