Tony Stewart Racing Teams Prepares for NHRA Carolina Nationals

This weekend, the NHRA Carolina Nationals will bring thrilling action to zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the 16th race in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and the second event in the “Countdown to the Championship,” it presents a crucial opportunity for Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) to bounce back after a challenging start to the countdown last week.

Both Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan will be competing, representing their respective divisions—Stewart in Top Fuel and Hagan in Funny Car. Stewart is in his rookie year in NHRA Top Fuel competition, while Hagan is a four-time and reigning Funny Car champion. As the second race in the Countdown series, the stakes are high, and both drivers are looking to make a significant impact.

Drivers’ Insights – 

Tony Stewart is excited to represent Mahindra at his home track. “I’m really passionate about our great relationship with Mahindra. Obviously, Charlotte is a home track for us because of our NASCAR ties. Hopefully we’ll have a good run for them this weekend. 30 years is a big deal for any company, so to be able to represent them and support them in that, it’s a big deal for us,” Stewart said.

Matt Hagan, the Funny Car driver for Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage (JHG), shares his enthusiasm for returning to Charlotte. After winning the Four-Wide Nationals earlier this year at the same track, he stated, “We won at Charlotte earlier this year and have some good juju walking into that race. Hopefully, it’ll be one of those tracks that keeps treating us well. I always like getting back there with family and friends. There are a lot of people that come out and show us love. We’ll put Reading behind us and look ahead to the next.”

Race Background – 

Stewart heads into the Carolina Nationals ranked seventh in the Top Fuel standings, looking to close the 94-point gap behind leader Justin Ashley. Hagan is currently fifth in the Funny Car standings, trailing leader Austin Prock by 137 points. This event is crucial for both drivers as they vie for advancement in the championship chase.

In previous competitions at Charlotte, Stewart has shown promise, finishing runner-up at the Four-Wide Nationals earlier this year, while Hagan celebrated his 51st career win in that event, marking a significant milestone for the veteran driver.

The NHRA Carolina Nationals not only provide a platform for racing excellence but also serve as a celebration of the sport’s community, with drivers like Stewart and Hagan exemplifying the dedication and passion that drive NHRA drag racing.

Event Schedule – 

As race day approaches, both drivers will aim to leverage their experiences and secure vital points in the championship standings. Fans can anticipate an exhilarating weekend of high-speed action as TSR takes center stage at one of the most anticipated events of the NHRA season.