Stewart Inches from Victory in Fifth Straight Top Fuel Final

Tony Stewart continues to impress in his rookie NHRA Top Fuel season. At the 2025 NHRA New England Nationals, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champ and NHRA newcomer advanced to his fifth straight final round in the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT dragster, coming within inches of his third win this season.

Stewart’s Hot Streak Continues – 

Stewart qualified second with a stout 3.694-second run and was dominant through eliminations. He knocked out Rit Pustari (3.699), Justin Ashley (3.733), and current World Champion Antron Brown (3.711) on his way to the finals.

Lined up against Brittany Force in the final round, Stewart launched first with a sharp 0.049-second reaction time against Force’s 0.068. But despite the holeshot, Force powered past at the finish line with a matching 3.694-second pass to Stewart’s 3.720—winning by just 0.0074 seconds, or about 10 inches.

“We fell a little short in the finals, but I’m happy with my lights in the semifinals and the finals,” said Stewart. “I’m proud of our team for making five finals in a row. We’re the only Top Fuel team that’s made it past the first round in every race this year.”

Stewart’s runner-up finish solidified his lead in the NHRA Mission Foods Top Fuel standings, now 71 points ahead of second-place Shawn Langdon as the series heads to Bristol, Tennessee, next weekend.

“We have a racecar now,” Stewart continued. “We’re running with the big dogs and more consistent than a lot of them. Neal [Strausbaugh], Mike [Domagala], Ryan [McGilvry], Phil [Shuler], and the whole crew are just crushing it.”

Hagan Knocked Out in First Round After Close Battle – 

In Funny Car, four-time NHRA World Champion Matt Hagan was looking for his fifth win at Epping but came up just short in round one. Driving the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT HELLCAT, Hagan qualified ninth with a 3.920-second run and matched up against rookie Spencer Hyde.

Hagan got the starting line advantage with a quicker 0.065 reaction time to Hyde’s 0.091, but Hyde’s 3.863 beat Hagan’s 3.893 at the finish line by just four inches.

“We ran a good drag race, but we were on the back side of it,” Hagan said. “We didn’t have lane choice, and we pulled back a bit to be safe in the bumpier lane. The ladder opened up for us when Austin (Prock) went out early, so it stings. We’ll regroup and get ready for Bristol.”

Despite the early loss, Hagan remains fourth in the Mission Funny Car points standings and will look to rebound at his home track—Bristol Dragway.

Zetterström Makes Career-Best Pass, Reaches Quarterfinals – 

Ida Zetterström, a rising star and former FIA European Top Fuel Champion, turned heads with her best NHRA performance to date in the JCM Dodge//SRT dragster.

Zetterström ran a career-best 3.720 in round one to take out four-time champ Steve Torrence, before falling to Doug Kalitta in the quarterfinals. Kalitta ran a 3.680 to Zetterström’s matching 3.720, but the Swede’s performance was a huge confidence boost for the JCM team.

“We broke a long streak of losing in the first round,” said Zetterström. “Everyone’s kept their head up, and this is the best our team has ever been with this car. We’ve got great data to take to Bristol.”

On to Bristol: NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals – 

The next stop for all three Dodge//SRT teams is the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, June 6–8. Stewart will arrive as the Top Fuel driver to beat. With momentum on his side, Hagan aiming to bounce back, and Zetterström finding her groove, Dodge teams are gearing up to keep pushing at the top of the NHRA ladder.