Event Overview
Friday, Oct. 14 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Saturday, Oct. 15 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Sunday, Oct. 16 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
TV coverage on FS1
Notes of Interest
Leah Pruett, Driver of the Rush Truck Centers Top Fuel Dragster
With three races remaining, talk about the strides you and your team have made when you look back at the start of the season.
“We have an extremely strong core when it comes to the talented individuals working and building the car. We’ve made substantial strides in developing a tune-up for various tracks and conditions, and having a good success rate of going down the track. We’re in the current stride of segmenting our runs to pick up speed in different increments, which will equate to overall faster times and win lights.”
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 would love to be able to add in some bonus money for my guys and throw down an insane number to get that top spot. It really will come down to overall strategy for the race, at that starts with Q1. If we make a good lick on the first run, we can really run the screws for Friday night. But if we find ourselves still sorting out our tune-up, then we need to be smart and make a healthy fast run to get us solidly in the show. Risk versus reward. There’s a huge field this weekend, so going low and collecting that money for the team will mean you’ve definitely done something, in addition to setting yourself up for a more ideal raceday.”
You’re running Rush Truck Centers on your Top Fuel Dragster for the first time this season. What does it mean to welcome a new partner to the NHRA?
“I most definitely have to give credit where it is due on this. Rush Truck Centers has been a partner of Tony’s (Stewart) for many years, especially with the sprint car program, so I really feel honored to continue that partnership and help the brand be exposed to an expanded market.”
Matt Hagan, Driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car
You have three career wins at the FallNationals and you’ve appeared in more final rounds at Dallas than in any other event in the series (six times in 13 appearances). What makes you so successful there?
“I think it’s great that Dallas has shown us so much love. Some tracks, you roll into them and have a great feeling with a good car setup. We really have to come out swinging at the Texas Motorplex. You can do the math to know you have to win two or three of these races, and there are only three races left. It’s a dogfight out there and we have to get back in the fight and work hard. If we can do well at Dallas, we can put ourselves back in the fight where we need to be.”
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?
“It’s awesome when a track steps up and does something like this. Think about the expenses the teams have and what diesel fuel costs this year versus last year. Anytime we get an opportunity to put a little extra cash in our pocket and the team owner’s pocket, we definitely want to throw down. I’ll roll up to the starting line, put my mouth piece in and hold on tight for whatever car Dickie Venables (crew chief) puts under me. I’m excited about that and hope we can put on a heck of a show.”
You’re 103 points out of the championship lead. What’s your mindset heading into Dallas?
“Our mindset is no holds barred. We have to go in there and really swing for the fence. We have nothing to lose. Both Robert (Hight) and (Ron) Capps are good racers with good teams, so they’re going to have to struggle and we’re going to have to do well. We have to do well, no matter what. You don’t hope for someone to do bad, you just know you have to go out there and do all you can. We have to be super aggressive and try to scoop up as many points as we can in qualifying.”