Stewart Stops in Semis, Hagan Runner-Up at 4-Wide Nationals

Tony Stewart Racing’s Dodge//SRT team had a strong showing at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Matt Hagan taking home a runner-up finish in Funny Car and team owner Tony Stewart powering his Top Fuel dragster into the semifinals. Both drivers kept their championship hopes alive as the Countdown to the Championship rolled into its second race of the playoffs.

Hagan Fights Through Adversity – 

Four-time world champion Matt Hagan came into zMAX Dragway looking for his second win of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods season. The Virginia native was sharp all weekend, qualifying No. 1 and laying down seven straight consistent passes. His TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat crew, led by Mike Knudsen and Phil Shuler, even overcame an engine explosion in the semifinals that forced them to bolt on a backup body for the final round.

In the four-wide final, Hagan lined up against reigning champ Austin Prock, Chad Green, and Daniel Wilkerson. He launched hard, clocking a 3.952-second run, but Prock edged him out with a 3.912. Despite coming up short of a 54th career win, the finish was enough to move Hagan into second place in the Funny Car standings.

“What a wild final,” Hagan said. “When the guy next to you (Green) goes red, it throws you off. I almost double-stepped the throttle, and that could have cost us everything. But I’m proud of this team. We’ve gone through some adversity, and my guys are grinding hard, putting in 15-hour days. To come out of here as runner-up with a solid car, that’s something we can build on. We’re ready for St. Louis.”

Stewart Strong Early, Falls in Semis – 

Tony Stewart, who clinched the Top Fuel regular season crown earlier this year, showed he’s still a serious contender for the title. He opened eliminations with a dramatic holeshot victory over Brittany Force and Shawn Reed, running a 3.766 to hold off Force’s quicker 3.758.

In the semifinals, Stewart faced a stacked quad that included eventual race winner Justin Ashley. Stewart delivered a strong 3.784 but was edged out as Ashley advanced with a 3.788.

“We had an issue in qualifying Friday, so we were behind the eight-ball coming into race day,” Stewart said. “But to win that first round on a holeshot showed the fight in this team. In the semis, we just got beat by the guy who won it all. We’re still right there in the points, and we’ve got four races to claw back. We’re not out of this by any means.”

Looking Ahead – 

Both TSR drivers now turn their attention to the NAPA NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis. Hagan sits second in Funny Car points, while Stewart is fourth in Top Fuel as the Countdown tightens. With four races left in the season, both Dodge//SRT machines remain in the hunt for NHRA glory.