TSR Nitro Heads To Reading For The 40th Annual NHRA Nationals

The stage is set at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, for the 40th Annual NHRA Nationals presented by Nitro Fish, and all eyes are on Tony Stewart Racing (TSR). With Tony Stewart piloting his Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster and Matt Hagan behind the wheel of his Direct Connection Dodge//SRT HELLCAT Funny Car, this weekend marks the official start of the Countdown to the Championship – NHRA’s version of the playoffs.

This three-day event, running September 12-14, is not just the 15th stop of the 20-race NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, but the opening chapter in a six-race sprint where the top-10 drivers in each professional class go head-to-head for a championship. Both TSR drivers enter the Countdown in prime position – Stewart as the Top Fuel points leader and Hagan sitting third in Funny Car.

Stewart Chasing His First Top Fuel Title – 

Tony Stewart, better known to many as a three-time NASCAR Cup champion, has quickly carved out a name in NHRA Top Fuel. This weekend represents his second career Countdown appearance, and he’s got momentum on his side. Stewart secured the No. 1 seed in Top Fuel after finishing the regular season 16 points ahead of Shawn Langdon.

“I think it gives us a lot of confidence, especially having the solid run on race day at the U.S. Nationals,” Stewart said. “The performance of our car is back where it was earlier in the year when we took the points lead, so I feel like there’s a lot of positive things going on. Anything can happen in these six races and you can’t stub your toe or have a mistake. But I am going into it with the mindset and the feeling in my gut that we have a car and a team that I feel like are on top of their game right now. We have our car in a good position to give us the best opportunity to win a real championship.”

For Stewart, this will be his 35th career Top Fuel start and second at Maple Grove Raceway. Last year, he qualified No. 4 and reached Round 2. His ties to the Pennsylvania track go deeper – in 2023 he scored a Top Alcohol Dragster win at Maple Grove, proving he knows how to find the winner’s circle here.

Hagan Eyes Championship No. 5 – 

On the Funny Car side, Matt Hagan is starting his “Ride to Five.” Already a four-time champion, Hagan is chasing a fifth title that would cement his legacy among the greatest Funny Car drivers of all time.

“The Ride to Five is very doable. Progress and momentum is key,” Hagan explained. “We have a great team that is very dedicated and driven. They are goal-oriented and strive every day to be the best they can be. (Austin) Prock has won seven races, which is staggering. There is work to be done, but they are beatable. We just need to capitalize on every opportunity we have and can’t give anything up. We have to make good decisions, and I have to have good lights. We have six races to make this happen. We have a chance to get within striking distance with points resetting. When you let them get a race or two ahead of you, it’s really hard to make up that ground.”

Hagan has history at Maple Grove, too. He won the NHRA Nationals here in 2014, and his car has gone on to claim two more wins at the track since then, including in 2021 when substitute driver Tommy Johnson Jr. filled in while Hagan was sidelined. He also has two No. 1 qualifiers at Maple Grove, proving he’s capable of both speed and consistency at this Pennsylvania strip.

Beyond the Track – 

It’s not just racing that’s happening at Maple Grove. Mopar’s Career Automotive Program (CAP) will partner with TSR on Friday, connecting Stellantis with aspiring technicians from across the country. The initiative helps students gain Stellantis certifications, giving them a direct path to careers in the automotive industry.

Fans will also have a chance to meet both drivers. Hagan will be signing autographs on Friday afternoon, while Stewart will take his turn on Saturday. The Tony Stewart Store trailer will also be on-site with official team merchandise.

Race Weekend Schedule – 

• Friday, Sept. 12: Nitro qualifying at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT

• Saturday, Sept. 13: Nitro qualifying continues at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. EDT

• Sunday, Sept. 14: Eliminations begin at 11 a.m. EDT, with Finals scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EDT

Fans can catch every session live on NHRA.TV, with TV coverage on FS1 Sunday afternoon, including a qualifying recap at 12 p.m. EDT and Finals coverage beginning at 2 p.m. EDT.

The Bottom Line – 

The Countdown to the Championship is always intense, but this year it feels like Dodge and TSR are coming in loaded for bear. Tony Stewart is chasing his first Top Fuel crown with a car that looks ready to deliver, while Matt Hagan is dead set on becoming a five-time Funny Car champion.

With Maple Grove Raceway serving as the opening battleground, both drivers know there’s no room for error. For fans of Dodge, Mopar, and drag racing as a whole, Reading, Pennsylvania, is the place to be this weekend.