TSR Celebrates Direct Connection’s 50th at NHRA U.S. Nationals

Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan Unveil Special Livery for the 70th Annual Drag Racing Event...

Robert S. Miller August 27, 2024

TSR Nitro 50th Anniversary Direct Connection schemes. (TSR Nitro).

Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) is set to mark a significant milestone at the 70th Annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) U.S. Nationals with a special tribute to Direct Connection, Dodge’s legendary performance parts brand. From August 28 to September 2, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, TSR’s Top Fuel and Funny Car machines will showcase a distinctive Red, White, and Blue livery to commemorate Direct Connection’s 50th anniversary.

Direct Connection, established in 1974 and revitalized in 2022, has been a cornerstone in the performance-racing industry. The brand is known for its high-performance parts, including the popular HurriCrate series of crate engines and the Dodge Charger Junior Roadster body. These products, available at DCPerformance.com, have powered numerous victories on drag strips across the country, including a 2023 NHRA World Funny Car championship.

Special Liveries and Debuts –

The anniversary celebration will see TSR’s Top Fuel and Funny Car entries decked out in throwback Direct Connection colors. Tony Stewart’s Top Fuel Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster and Matt Hagan’s Dodge//SRT HELLCAT Funny Car will both sport the commemorative graphics. This marks a special occasion as Stewart, a renowned motorsports legend across NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC, makes his Top Fuel debut at this prestigious event.

Stewart, who ranks seventh in Top Fuel points, expressed his excitement: “I haven’t even been able to see the new paint scheme for the U.S. Nationals yet. I’m very excited to have two really cool paint schemes on both my car and Matt’s car. The U.S. Nationals is the biggest race of the year for drag racing, and it’s a home race for us personally. I put a lot of pressure on us to win for Dodge and all of our sponsors. The focus is just going to be having a great weekend and winning that Wally trophy.”

Matt Hagan, the reigning NHRA Mission Drag Racing Funny Car champion and a three-time winner at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, will also be competing in his TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT HELLCAT Funny Car. Hagan, currently third in the Funny Car standings and a four-time NHRA world champion, is enthusiastic about the new look: “Being able to fly the Dodge banner for almost 15 years and win four championships with them is really special. We’re really excited to be able to fly a new scheme for them. Hopefully, the new scheme is fast. Hopefully, we can get them the win with the new colors.”

Historic Celebrations and Customer Incentives –

Matt Hagan’s 50th Anniversary Direct Connection Charger Funny Car. (TSR Nitro).

The U.S. Nationals, with its rich history and significance in the drag racing world, provides a fitting backdrop for celebrating Direct Connection’s 50th anniversary. In addition to the special liveries, Direct Connection has introduced a customer appreciation incentive program, offering up to $300 off select crate engines and up to $200 off crate long blocks through November 8, 2024.

Stewart and Hagan will join Stewart and Hagan at the U.S. Nationals, and Ida Zetterström, Sweden’s FIA Top Fuel World Champion, will be there. Zetterström, making her NHRA U.S. Nationals debut in the JCM/Dodge Top Fuel Dragster, will be looking to build on her recent semifinal finish in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Coverage and Expectations –

Tony Stewart’s 50th Anniversary Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster. (TSR Nitro).

Fans can catch the action from the 70th NHRA U.S. Nationals with qualifying coverage on Sunday, September 1, at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Fox Sports 1, and final eliminations on Monday, September 2, with broadcasts at noon EDT on Fox Sports 1 and 2:00 p.m. EDT on the FOX Network.