Tony Stewart & Matt Hagan Bring the Heat to Epping

Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) is heading into Epping, New Hampshire, with serious momentum and a clear goal: win. Both Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan, the drivers behind the Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car, are ready to make noise at the 2025 NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, May 30 through June 1.

This marks the seventh stop on the 20-race NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series calendar. The event has become a fan favorite and a staple for East Coast drag racing fans since 2013. And with two of the sport’s biggest names in Stewart and Hagan coming in hot, the stage is set for an action-packed weekend.

Stewart Chasing a New England First – 

Tony Stewart rolls into New Hampshire as the current Top Fuel points leader, fresh off his second win of the season at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Chicago. He’s made four straight final-round appearances and holds a 12-2 record through the first six races of 2025. Still, Stewart knows there’s more work to be done.

“We realize that it’s great to win the race and it’s great to have the points lead, but at the same time, we know that we still have work to do,” Stewart said. “Our focus going into Epping is to just continue to try to improve our program… We’re just going to keep pushing forward and keep putting in the hard work.”

This weekend marks Stewart’s second time competing at New England Dragway in Top Fuel. In 2024, he reached Round 2 after qualifying eighth, narrowly losing to Doug Kalitta in one of the closest races of the day.

Hagan’s New England Hot Streak – 

If there’s one driver who owns New England Dragway, it’s Matt Hagan. The Funny Car legend has racked up four wins (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022) at the track and holds three No. 1 qualifying positions there. He’s the winningest driver in New England Nationals history and boasts a 20-7 heat record at the venue—good for a 74.1% win rate.

Hagan enters Epping third in the Funny Car standings and looking to add another W to his record. He’s coming off a win in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Chicago and is hungry for more.

“These Mission points add up a lot. I’ve seen championships come down to two points before,” Hagan explained. “To get the win at Chicago was really cool… We’re looking forward to being in the next challenge in Epping.”

This year also marks the first full season with new crew chiefs Mike Knudsen and Phil Shuler, and the chemistry is building.

“We’re not smoking the tires a lot and we’re giving ourselves the opportunity to win a lot of the time,” said Hagan. “I think the confidence is growing… We just have to figure out these Force cars. They’re tough, but we’ve got momentum on our side.”

Fan Access & Autograph Sessions – 

Fans heading to Epping can catch Stewart and Hagan during two special autograph sessions: Friday from 4:15–4:45 p.m. ET and Saturday from 10:15–10:45 a.m. ET at the Dodge display in the pits. They’ll also be at the Mission Foods display on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge meet-and-greet.

The Direct Connection Advantage – 

Dodge’s Direct Connection brand continues as the primary sponsor for both TSR teams, giving fans a closer look at the factory-backed performance parts program built for muscle car enthusiasts and racers alike. TSR’s partnership with Mopar CAP (Career Automotive Program) also continues this weekend, showcasing career paths for future Stellantis-trained technicians.

📺 TV Schedule (All Times Eastern) – 

• Friday, May 30: Qualifying Show – FS1 at 7:00 p.m.

• Saturday, May 31: Qualifying Show – FS1 at 7:00 p.m.

• Sunday, June 1: Finals Show – FOX at 6:00 p.m.