TSR Nitro Gearing Up For This Weekend’s Texas NHRA FallNationals

Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) is rolling into Dallas this weekend with momentum, focus, and a pair of powerhouse entries ready to make noise at the Texas NHRA FallNationals. The event runs October 10–12 at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas — the 18th race of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and the fourth stop in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Both Tony Stewart (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) are deep in the playoff hunt, with their eyes on championship gold as the NHRA season hits the home stretch.

Championship Push – 

Heading into Dallas, Stewart sits fourth in the Top Fuel standings, trailing points leader Doug Kalitta by 153 points. For Stewart, this marks his second NHRA postseason and his 38th career Top Fuel start. Meanwhile, Hagan enters the weekend in second place in Funny Car, just 20 points behind leader Austin Prock. The four-time Funny Car Champion (2011, 2014, 2020, and 2023) has been a consistent title threat — and Dallas has long been one of his strongest tracks.

Familiar Turf For Hagan – 

If there’s one place Hagan feels at home, it’s Texas Motorplex. The defending event winner has five FallNationals victories under his belt (2010, 2015, 2019, 2023, and 2025) — more than at any other venue in his career. He’s also been to the final round nine times in 16 appearances, including the last six years consecutively. His 2025 win came after a 3.943-second pass at 327.65 mph, edging out Ron Capps by mere thousandths.

Hagan, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT HELLCAT Funny Car, knows this weekend could be pivotal:

“It’s always a dog fight with the Countdown to the Championship,” said Hagan. “We’re blessed to be in the hunt and have an opportunity to win — that’s more than a lot of other teams can say. I’m proud of Mike Knudsen for this being his first year as crew chief and sitting second in points. We’ve got a real shot to win this thing, but we have to be ready. We need three great races and hope the other guys stumble. I’ve just got to be sharp on the tree and keep it in the groove.”

Hagan is also coming off a big victory at the NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis, marking his second win of the season and his 17th in the Countdown — the most of any Funny Car driver in NHRA history.

Stewart’s Top Fuel Climb – 

For Tony Stewart, the Texas NHRA FallNationals represent unfinished business. Last year, Stewart’s rookie campaign in Top Fuel showed flashes of brilliance, and 2025 has been a year of steady growth and competitive consistency. Driving the Mobil 1 Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster, Stewart looks to capture his first Top Fuel win at Texas Motorplex — a track he’s praised for its fan-friendly atmosphere and first-class organization.

“The Meyer family does a fantastic job promoting this event,” Stewart said. “They create a whole week of excitement at the Texas Motorplex. Whether you’re a diehard drag racing fan or someone new to the sport, they’ve got something for everybody. They pay attention to every detail, and all they do is first-class. It’s an honor for all of us to compete there.”

Stewart’s car, wrapped in Mobil 1 livery, symbolizes one of motorsports’ most successful partnerships. This weekend marks his second appearance in Dallas as a Top Fuel driver, after previously racing in Top Alcohol Dragster at the venue in 2023.

More Than Racing – 

The FallNationals weekend is about more than just quarter-mile competition. The Texas Motorplex has built a reputation for fan engagement, featuring concerts, a cattle drive, and “Friday Night Live” — a special qualifying session with $40,000 in bonus money on the line. The low qualifiers in both Top Fuel and Funny Car on Friday night will each earn $15,000 and critical Countdown bonus points.

The Mopar CAP (Career Automotive Program) will also partner with TSR on Friday, helping young technicians train for careers with Stellantis brands. TSR’s involvement aligns with the team’s commitment to the Mopar community and the next generation of performance technicians.

Fans can meet both Stewart and Hagan throughout the weekend:

• Thursday, Oct. 9: Fan Fest at Railyard Park, Waxahachie (Autographs 7:00–8:30 p.m. CDT)

• Friday, Oct. 10: Heatwave Visual Autographs (4:00–4:30 p.m.), TSR trailer signing with Stewart (6:30–7:00 p.m.)

• Saturday, Oct. 11: TSR trailer signing with Hagan (1:15–1:45 p.m.)

• Friday, Oct. 10: Texas Motorplex Funny Car Winners Autographs (2:30–3:00 p.m.)

• Saturday, Oct. 11: Mission Foods Winners Autographs (9:00–9:30 a.m.)

Weekend Schedule – 

Friday, Oct. 10 – Nitro Qualifying (Live on NHRA.TV):

• Q1: 5:15 p.m. CDT / 6:15 p.m. EDT

• Q2: 8:00 p.m. CDT / 9:00 p.m. EDT

Saturday, Oct. 11 – Nitro Qualifying (Live on NHRA.TV):

• Q3: 12:00 p.m. CDT / 1:00 p.m. EDT

• Q4: 2:30 p.m. CDT / 3:30 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Oct. 12 – Nitro Eliminations (Live on NHRA.TV):

• Round 1: 10:00 a.m. CDT / 11:00 a.m. EDT

• Round 2: 12:10 p.m. CDT / 1:10 p.m. EDT

• Semifinals: 1:45 p.m. CDT / 2:45 p.m. EDT

• Finals: 3:10 p.m. CDT / 4:10 p.m. EDT

TV Coverage:

• Sunday, Oct. 12: Qualifying recap show – 10 a.m. EDT (FS1)

• Sunday, Oct. 12: Finals show – 2 p.m. EDT (FOX)

• Sunday, Oct. 12: Finals encore – 4:30 p.m. EDT (FOX)