Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan Deliver Strong Showings in TSR Dodge Return at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

GAINESVILLE, FL – Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan kicked off the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 75th anniversary season with competitive performances at the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, showcasing the team’s potential despite challenging conditions at Gainesville Raceway.

In Top Fuel, Leah Pruett made a highly anticipated return to competition after a two-year hiatus to start a family. The 12-time NHRA national event winner, who finished as 2023 points runner-up, qualified No. 3 with a best of 3.690 seconds at 329.10 mph in Q2 (earning 1 bonus point) and advanced to the second round. Pruett defeated Jasmine Salinas in round one with a solid 3.713 at 333.41 mph but fell to eventual finalist Doug Kalitta (3.764/332.34) in round two with a 3.871/318.47.

Pruett reflected on the weekend: “There were a lot of elements to the weekend. Reflecting on what I would consider the Florida marathon, and then the Gatornationals Gazoo, it was a hell of an effort by this Dodge team. Lack of effort was definitely not in the equation this weekend. The performance in qualifying, when it counted in Q2, definitely showed and it seated us third. … Overall, I am really happy with where this team is at. Zero mistakes were made. We had a strategy for race day that started with qualifying well. … Our heads are held high. We’re going to keep digging for where to improve upon certain areas, but, you know, Doug [Kalitta] had a hell of a run. … Now that I’ve got a report card. I know how to move forward. And on a personal side of things, I’ve seen my son minutes at a time during a day. So that’s something to adjust to, which is fine. We’re completing this event with a lot of momentum.”

In Funny Car, four-time world champion Matt Hagan (2023, 2020, 2014, 2011) qualified No. 5 with a 3.931 at 331.36 mph (earning 5 bonus points) and won round one over Julie Nataas (3.976/326.63 def. 5.059/155.58). Hagan suffered a close holeshot loss in round two to eventual winner Chad Green (.067 RT, 3.967/328.14 to Green’s .060 RT, 3.975/326.08), despite posting one of the lowest elapsed times of eliminations.

Hagan commented: “Obviously, that loss fell on the driver. The team gave me a great race car and we qualified in the top half (of the field). The Dodge Hellcat has been running very well. Mike Knudsen, Phil Shuler and Alex Conaway have been making some great calls with this new chassis. We ran 3.97 and 3.96 in eliminations. That’s low ET of eliminations. … That’s just one race and we have 19 more to go. The car drove well all three days, and the crowd here at the Gatornationals was amazing. … I think we had one of the most consistent cars here this weekend, and we see a lot of potential with the Dodge//SRT Hellcat.”

Both drivers sit fifth in unofficial points standings following the opener: Pruett with 57 points in Top Fuel and Hagan with 59 in Funny Car.

The TSR Dodge team heads next to the FMP Factory Motor Parts Arizona Nationals on March 20-22 at Phoenix Raceway. Driver interviews, photos, and assets are available on the NHRA media site. For full results and the 20-race schedule, visit NHRA.com.