Tony Stewart Advances to Quarterfinals at NHRA Reading Event

Top Fuel “rookie” Tony Stewart, a champion in NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC, showcased his continued improvement in the NHRA circuit by driving his Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Rinnai Dodge//SRT dragster to the quarterfinals at the NHRA Reading event. Stewart, currently seventh in the Top Fuel standings, delivered another strong qualifying performance, securing a fourth-place spot with a 3.741-second run in the NHRA “Countdown.” This marked his third consecutive race qualifying inside the top four, further establishing his presence in the Top Fuel class.

During Sunday’s eliminations, Stewart faced Billy Torrence in the first round. Known for his quick reaction times, Stewart got off the line first and maintained his lead to score a win, advancing to the quarterfinals. However, in the second round, Stewart faced former Top Fuel World Champion Shawn Langdon. Despite getting off the line faster, Stewart’s dragster lost traction shortly after the start, leading to a 4.351-second pass that was beaten by Langdon’s 4.076-second run.

Though he was knocked out in the quarterfinals, Stewart remains seventh in the Top Fuel standings with several more opportunities to gain points in the remaining NHRA “Countdown” races. His team, led by crew chief Neal Strausbaugh, co-crew chief Mike Domagala, and car chief Ryan McGilvry, will look to build on their consistent performances heading into the next event at the NHRA betway Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway from Sept. 20-22.

Reflecting on the race, Stewart expressed his pride in the team, saying, “I’m really proud of Neal, Mike, and the team. We’ve qualified inside the top four for three races in a row now, and we’re doing the right things. We just need a bit of luck to put it all together on race day.”

Matt Hagan’s Tough First Round in Funny Car – 

Matt Hagan, a four-time NHRA World Funny Car Champion and Stewart’s TSR teammate, also had a solid qualifying run at Reading, securing sixth place with a 3.897-second pass in his TSR Operation Healing Forces Dodge//SRT HELLCAT. Hagan, who won his first Funny Car World Championship at Maple Grove Raceway, was aiming for another strong performance to kick off the “Countdown.”

Unfortunately, Hagan faced a tough first-round matchup against former World Champion J.R. Todd. Both drivers put up impressive times, with Hagan running a 3.934-second pass. However, Todd was just a bit quicker off the line, securing a narrow victory with a 3.943-second run. Despite the loss, Hagan remains fifth in the Funny Car standings and will head into the Carolina Nationals with optimism. Hagan won the Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte earlier this year, marking his 50th career NHRA Funny Car victory.

“It was a tough weekend to start the ‘Countdown’ at Reading,” Hagan admitted. “We lost in the first round on a holeshot, so I’ve got to get back to the practice tree. We’re working on running harder and being more aggressive, and I’m hopeful the next few races will turn in our favor.”

Ida Zetterström’s Impressive Performance – 

Ida Zetterström, a Top Fuel “rookie” from Sweden, continues to make her mark in the NHRA circuit. In just her third national event, Zetterström recorded her best pass yet, a 3.745-second run, though it wasn’t enough to overcome Shawn Langdon in the first round.

“We’re treating every pass like a test pass,” Zetterström said. “We’re not chasing a championship this year, but we’re building consistency for the future. I’m confident in my team, and by the end of this season, we should have a strong combination.”

Looking Ahead to the NHRA betway Carolina Nationals – 

The NHRA betway Carolina Nationals, the second round of the six-race NHRA “Countdown,” will take place at zMAX Dragway from Sept. 20-22. Nitro qualifying begins on Friday at 5:00 p.m. EDT and 7:30 p.m. EDT, with additional sessions on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. EDT and 4:00 p.m. EDT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 12:00 p.m. EDT.

Fans can catch all the action on Fox Sports 1, with qualifying rounds airing on Friday at 7:00 p.m. EDT and the final eliminations on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. EDT.