Dallas Advance for the Texas NHRA Nationals

Tony Stewart & Matt Hagan

Top Fuel | Funny Car
Texas NHRA FallNationals
Oct. 11-13 | Dallas

Event Overview

Friday, Oct. 11 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
• Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 5:15 p.m. CDT/6:15 p.m. EDT
• Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 8 p.m. CDT/9 p.m. EDT

Saturday, Oct. 12 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
• Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 1 p.m. CDT/2 p.m. EDT
• Nitro qualifying session (Q4): 4 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Oct. 13 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
• Round 1: 12 p.m. CDT/1 p.m. EDT
• Round 2: 2 p.m. CDT/3 p.m. EDT
• Semifinals: 3:30 p.m. CDT/4:30 p.m. EDT
• Finals: 5 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1
• Sunday, Oct. 13: Qualifying show recapping the action from Friday and Saturday (2 p.m. EDT)
• Sunday, Oct. 13: Finals show (4 p.m. EDT)

Notes of Interest

• The Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas is the 18th race on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race schedule and it is the fourth round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Tony Stewart (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) are both in the Countdown, with 2024 marking Stewart’s first appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 13th.

• Stewart is ninth in the Top Fuel standings heading into Dallas, 194 points behind championship leader Antron Brown. Hagan is fifth in the Funny Car standings, 205 points behind leader Austin Prock. Hagan is a four-time champion (2011, 2014, 2020 and 2023).

• The last time the NHRA competed at the Texas NHRA FallNationals, Pruett and Hagan earned the first double-up victory for TSR.

• Stewart and Hagan come into Dallas representing Mobil 1 and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, respectively. Stewart’s Top Fuel dragster carries the colors of Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand. Meanwhile, Hagan’s Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car is emblazoned with Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage (JHG). JHG was formed in 2021 and brings a passion and flare to the automotive world. They aim to inspire, drive and celebrate progress. JHG spans across Jason Johnson’s car collection featuring more than 200 sought after vehicles from classics, to hot rods and supercars. Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage’s mission is to preserve and showcase the automotive industry. The vehicles are driven to and displayed at events by Johnson and his team with the goal of growing interest and keeping car culture thriving. Johnson’s history in the industry began with Mather Auto Dismantler, Mather Mini Trucks and U-Pull It in Northern California. He later held an instrumental role in the growth and success of Copart, Inc., a global provider of online vehicle auction and remarketing services. JHG also serves as a primary sponsor of Elite Motorsports in the NHRA Pro Stock series.

• The Texas NHRA FallNationals will be Stewart’s 18th career Top Fuel start and his first at Dallas. For Hagan, the Texas NHRA FallNationals will be his 350th career Funny Car start and his 16th at the track.

• Stewart is seeking his first Top Fuel victory in the Texas NHRA FallNationals, as well as his first No. 1 qualifier at the event. He competed in the Top Alcohol Dragster class in 2023, where he qualified ninth and advanced to Round 2. Stewart’s wife Leah Pruett defeated Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta, Clay Millican and Steve Torrence on her way to victory at last year’s Texas NHRA FallNationals.

• Hagan has four career wins at the Texas NHRA FallNationals, which came in 2010, 2015, 2019 and 2023. For his first victory in 2010, Hagan ran a 4.155 ET at 294.63 mph to defeat John Force’s 4.491 ET at 203.74 mph. In 2015, Hagan ran a 3.913 ET at 327.03 mph to defeat Ron Capps’ 3.906 ET at 322.19 mph. In 2019, Hagan clocked a 3.909 ET at 327.59 mph to defeat Bob Tasca III’s 3.928 ET at 323.12 mph. And in 2023, Hagan’s 3.883 ET at 332.25 mph defeated John Force’s 6.818 ET, 94.02 mph run.

• Hagan has two No. 1 qualifiers at Dallas, which came in 2020 (3.860 ET at 328.54 mph) and 2022 (3.825 ET at 334.85 mph). He has gone to the final round the last five years and has appeared in more final rounds in the Texas NHRA FallNationals than in any other event in the series (eight times in 15 appearances). Augmenting his four wins are four runner-ups (2012, 2020, 2021 and 2022).

• Texas Motorplex is bringing back “Friday Night Live” at this year’s FallNationals, which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The low qualifier on Friday night in both Top Fuel and Funny Car will be awarded $15,000 each.

• The Mopar CAP (Career Automotive Program) will be partnering with TSR on Friday for the fifth of seven events this season. CAP consists of strategic alliances between Stellantis and over 100 colleges and trade schools teaching technical curriculum integrated into the school’s general automotive program, so that students can become certified Stellantis technicians.

• Pruett, Hagan, Enders and Herrera will be honored Wednesday night at the Champions Dinner at the Stampede of Speed. Fans can join them for a cocktail hour, plated dinner, photo ops, a Q&A with NHRA announcer Joe Castello and a post-dinner concert.

• Fans can join the stars of the NHRA on Thursday night for Fan Fest from 6:00-9:00 p.m. CDT. Drivers will be available for autographs from 7:00-9:00 p.m. CDT and American Rebel CEO, Andy Ross, will also be performing in concert. The event will take place at Railyard Park (455 S. College St. Waxahachie, TX 75165).

• The Tony Stewart Store merchandise trailer will be on-site at the Texas NHRA FallNationals. Stewart will be signing on Friday from 4:00-4:30 p.m. and Hagan will be signing Saturday from 11:15-11:45 a.m.

• Stewart will participate in his 14th “Smoke Show” event on Wednesday, October 9 at Texas Motor Speedway. The event benefits Speedway Children’s Charities. Since 1997, Speedway Children’s Charities at Texas Motor Speedway has distributed more than $11.1 million in funding to non-profit organizations in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties supporting children in need.

Tony Stewart, Driver of the Mobil 1 Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster

TSR earned its first double-up victory at last year’s Texas NHRA FallNationals with Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan. How special were those wins and what would it mean to earn another, now that you’re in the driver’s seat?
“It would mean the world to me. Last year, having Matt and Leah double-up for TSR was the finish to an event that we hadn’t had before. We realize how tough it is to do that in a sport, so that was a huge accomplishment for our organization and for both Matt and Leah and the team.”

Texas Motorplex is awarding $15,000 in bonus money, along with qualifying bonus points, for the quickest pass on Friday night. What incentive does that add to throw down during that run?
“I’m not sure that we need extra motivation, but that run normally sets the field for the event. Christie and Billy (Meyer – Texas Motorplex) do an awesome job of thinking outside the box and doing things to take care of the racers. That Friday night session gives teams the chance to throw down and earn the fastest run to have a little extra money, so everybody loves that. We’re just very appreciative and glad we have a racetrack and a set of promoters that are willing to stick their neck out on the line for all of us and give us a little something extra to run for.”

You’re running the Mobil 1 50th Anniversary black and gold scheme for the second time this season. How special is your long-standing relationship with them?
“I’m extremely passionate about having a partner like Exxon Mobil and the Mobil 1 brand. Being able to be a part of celebrating their 50th anniversary is something that truly means a lot to me personally. I know the last couple years, I’ve tried to explain to everyone on our team what Mobil 1 means to me. To be part of their anniversary and be able to drive that beautiful black and gold car again is something I’m very excited about. Hopefully we can have some good results for him and get them a lot of airtime and get them out in front of our fans. This is a big deal for Mobil 1 and their 50th anniversary and we want to do everything we can to represent them well, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car

TSR earned its first double-up victory at last year’s Texas NHRA FallNationals with Leah Pruett and it marked your fourth win at the track. How special would it be to earn your fifth win there?
“To get a win in Texas for the fifth time would be huge. You just obviously want to keep doing well at tracks that treat you well and they (Texas Motorplex) do really good job promoting the event. We (Leah Pruett and Hagan) have the Champions Dinner on Wednesday night, the Fan Fest on Thursday night that Andy Ross (American Rebel CEO) is going to be singing at. It’s just going to be a great weekend. We have multiple sponsors that will be there with Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage on the car and Andy Ross. It’s going to be a great thing and if we can pull down the fifth win at Texas Motorplex. I think it would be the icing on the cake.”

Texas Motorplex is awarding $15,000 in bonus money, along with qualifying bonus points, for the quickest pass on Friday night. What incentive does that add to throw down during that run?
“The $15,000 is huge. I think our crew guys need some extra bonus money. We haven’t won nearly as many races as we did last year, so those guys could definitely use a little extra and it’s just a little feather in the hat too that you can go out there and be low for the session. I know it’s going to be a throwdown. (Austin) Prock just ran the quickest that he’s ever ran and also quickest for the season, so I think you have to kind of see whatever those guys are going to do. It’s one of those things where you have to go up there with nothing to lose and throw it down and hope it sticks. Hopefully you get a little extra bonus money for these guys. Thank you to Texas Motorplex for doing that and putting up the money to have an opportunity for someone to grab it out there. I think no matter which race team gets it, it’s always a good thing what they’re doing for the sport and what they’re doing for the drivers, crew guys, crew chiefs and everybody. It just gives you a little something to shoot for, so we’ll go out there and not be scared.”

-TSR-

Contact Ashley Wilson
Tony Stewart Racing
(303) 594-8147 or [email protected]