TSR Nitro Teams Have Positive Outlook For Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Get ready for some high-octane action as the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota approaches. The Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro teams, led by drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan, are all set to hit the tracks from today, August 18th to the 20th. This event is a big deal, coming in as the 14th race out of 21 in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, and it’s happening just before the Countdown to the Championship begins.

Leah Pruett is a seasoned racer who’s done well in Brainerd before. She’s won there twice in the past, which makes her a strong contender. This event also marks a big milestone for Pruett – it’ll be her 200th time racing in the Top Fuel category. She started out just wanting to go fast and compete, and now she’s a big name in the sport. It’s quite a journey!

Matt Hagan is another name to watch out for. He’s a three-time Funny Car champion and is currently leading the Funny Car championship standings. He’s been at the top in 11 out of 13 races this season, showing that he’s a tough competitor. As the Countdown to the Championship gets closer, Hagan is focused on turning pressure into motivation to aim for that championship title.

For the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, both Pruett and Hagan will be wearing their Direct Connection paint schemes. Their cars, the Top Fuel Dragster and Charger SRT HELLCAT Funny Car, will be decked out in Sublime green, making them stand out on the track. Direct Connection is known for providing high-performance parts and technical know-how, so they’re a perfect fit for these races.

Bringing back the Sublime color is also a big deal since the Dodge Charger and Challenger models are going away after this year. It adds a cool touch of nostalgia and excitement to the event.

“It is wild to think I’m making my 200th start,“ claimed Pruett. “I’m thankful to every team and crew chief I’ve gotten to drive for. It all started with just wanting to go fast and compete at national events with the big dogs. From my start with Dote Racing, brief stint but win with BVR (Bob Vandergriff Racing), Lagana’s Nitro Ninja, DSR’s (Don Schumacher Racing) professional presence delivering wins with driver and personal growth, to being fully immersed in a team co-built from the inside out. Every dynamic of my Top Fuel start has changed from 199 races ago, except my gratitude and will to win. Those things remain the same, but the enjoyment factor of who and how I do it with continues to skyrocket.”

“Locking ourselves into the Countdown to the Championship during the Brainerd weekend is huge,“ said Hagan. “We always want to be in the hunt for a championship and I feel like we always have been for the majority of my career, which says a lot about the team we have and the people I’m surrounded by because they all do a great job. Our guys have one common goal, and they work together to try and accomplish a championship. When you get it, you know you’ve really earned it with lots of blood, sweat and tears. There is a lot of pressure coming into these next couple races to stay number one. We deal with pressure and try to turn it into a positive. We feed off of it. Everyone is showing up and showing out. We have a target on our backs by being number one right now, but it just means we have to push more and be more aggressive. We have to find that razor-sharp edge and run on it if we’re going to try and win a championship.”

The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals are a crucial stepping stone towards the Countdown to the Championship. With only two races left in the regular season after this, Pruett and Hagan know how important this event is. Pruett is aiming to turn her performance around and gain momentum for the Countdown, while Hagan is focused on keeping his top spot in the Funny Car championship standings.