TSR Teams Gear Up For Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals At zMax

The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway is set to be a pivotal event in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series this weekend. The Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro teams, featuring Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan in Top Fuel and Funny Car respectively, are gearing up for this critical race.

The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals marks the 17th race on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ schedule and the second race in the six-race Countdown to the Championship.

Pruett currently holds the fourth position in the Top Fuel standings, trailing leader Steve Torrence by 54 points. In Funny Car, Hagan stands in fourth place, 51 points behind leader Robert Hight. The stakes are high as both drivers aim to close the gap and vie for the championship.

The TSR Nitro teams have already left their mark at Charlotte earlier this season during the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Pruett secured the No. 3 qualifying position and advanced to the Finals, finishing as the runner-up. Hagan gave a strong performance, securing the No. 4 qualifying position.

The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals will be a homecoming for Tony Stewart, the team owner of TSR. Stewart’s NASCAR team, Stewart-Haas Racing, is located just nine miles north of the track in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

Fans can meet Leah and Matt at the Dodge autograph sessions on Friday and Saturday. These sessions will take place in the pits at the Dodge display, allowing fans to connect with the two popular drivers.

Leah will be proudly sporting her Rinnai Corporation colors this weekend, while Hagan will hopefully get some time on the track to enjoy his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage (JHG) scheme. You might remember the last time Hagan donned this scheme; the car was destroyed, reverting to the use of a Dodge-themed backup car.

With their determination, skill, and top-notch equipment, Pruett and Hagan are well-poised to make the Carolina Nationals memorable for themselves, their sponsors, and their fans. Qualifying kicks off tonight at 7:00 p.m. EDT and can be live-streamed on NHRA.TV.

Event Schedule –

Friday, Sept. 22 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
• Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 7 p.m. EDT

Saturday, Sept. 23 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
• Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 2 p.m. EDT
• Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 5 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Sept. 24 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
• Round 1: 11 a.m. EDT
• Round 2: 1:10 p.m. EDT
• Semi-Finals: 2:50 p.m. EDT
• Finals: 4:45 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1
• Saturday, Sept. 23: Qualifying show recapping Friday’s action (9:30 a.m. EDT)
• Sunday, Sept. 24: Qualifying show recapping Saturday’s action (11 a.m. EDT)
• Sunday, Sept. 24: Finals show (2 p.m. EDT)