The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series heads to Heartland Motorsports Park for the final time. The Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas, marks the 13th event on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ 21-race calendar.
Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) brings its two fulltime entries – one in Top Fuel for 11-time event winner Leah Pruett and one in Funny Car for 47-time Funny Car winner and three-time champion Matt Hagan. Pruett and Hagan enter Topeka representing Rayce Rudeen Foundation and American Rebel, respectively.
Leah Pruett, Driver of the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Top Fuel Dragster
The Menards NHRA Nationals will serve as Pruett’s 199th career Top Fuel start and her ninth at Topeka. For Hagan, this will be his 324th career Funny Car start and his 14th at Topeka.
Pruett is eyeing her first victory in the Menards NHRA Nationals while also seeking her first No. 1 qualifier at the event. Pruett’s best result came in 2017 when she qualified second and lost to Antron Brown in the semifinals. In 2021, Pruett drove a Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to the final round in the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown before losing to John Cerbone.
Leah Pruett:
With three races remaining prior to the Countdown, are there some specific things you want to achieve in Topeka?
“Yes, we want a 180 of our Western Swing results. That starts with qualifying low and well, which will come down to our first hit off the trailer at 8pm Friday. I personally have been working on the intention of attacking instead of reacting, which should yield improved starting line advantages and help our team return to the winner’s circle.”
With 2023 marking the final event at Heartland Motorsports Park, how significant would a win be in the final Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor?
“It is always tough to see race facilities go away. I may not have the deepest connection emotionally or historically with Heartland Motorsports Park, but it is a place that has always treated me well, along with their fans. A win at Heartland this weekend would be huge for us. It would be validation that our moves within our setup are coordinating to improved performance, and for me, a driver that is sick of not closing these past close tough races on our side of the win light. Additionally, a win means that we went rounds and rounds equal exposure, and that’s exactly what the Rayce Rudeen Foundation needs. The message of empowering communities to fight against addiction is so powerful and life changing that I hope our on-track success can help inspire the friends and families of addicts to seek and maintain help.”
Matt Hagan, Driver of the American Rebel Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car
Hagan won the Menards NHRA Nationals in 2016. His 5.724 ET at 179.04 mph run defeated Jack Beckman (6.560 ET at 146.75 mph). Hagan also has two No. 1 qualifiers at the event, which came in 2016 (3.862 ET at 335.57 mph) and 2017 (3.802 ET at 338.85 mph).
Hagan is the track record holder at Topeka for both time (3.802 seconds) and speed (338.85 mph), each of which were set on May 20, 2017. It is Hagan’s fastest recorded speed and the fourth-fastest in Funny Car history. The 3.802 time is the third-quickest in Funny Car history behind only Robert Hight’s national record (3.793 seconds) at Brainerd, Minnesota and Hagan’s own 3.799-seconds at Indianapolis, Indiana.
Matt Hagan:
You’ll be representing American Rebel safes on your Funny Car at Topeka. How special is it welcoming American Rebel as a new sponsor this season in the NHRA?
“Getting to welcome another sponsor just shows the organization TSR has put together with the new sponsorship they’re bringing in. There are a lot of folks working hard internally to make these deals come together. American Rebel is a great company. I hunt and fish and spend a lot of time outdoors. There’s nothing better than a great safe to protect all of the equipment involved in those activities. It’s also great for fire protection. Should your house burn down, your valuables will be kept safe. I think it’s a great investment and I’m proud to represent a company I can relate to and stand behind. I’m hoping we can turn some win lights on and get a lot of exposure for them.”
With 2023 marking the final event at Heartland Motorsports Park, how significant would a win be in the final Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor?
“We always seem to do pretty well at Topeka and it’s special getting to hold national records there. When the weather moves in and cools down, you can really run well and the facility is nice. You always want to win the last one. It’s no different than Denver. Being able to win the last race there was super special. It would be the same way with Topeka because I have a lot of memories there. I can’t wait to get out there and do what we do. We need to keep the points lead alive these next three races before the Countdown starts, then have to win a few more races in the Countdown. You have to go up there with everything you’ve got and then bring a little more. It’s a tough field in Funny Car. Everyone is pushing hard and pressing the limit. We’re going to be aggressive and see what we can do. There’s nothing but confidence in Dickie Venables (crew chief), Mike Knudsen (co-crew chief), Alex Conaway (car chief) and all of my guys putting the car together. I’m looking forward to seeing Josh (Munoz) soon. He was hurt in a car accident a few races back and I’m looking forward to having him back.”
Hagan will participate in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty autograph session on Saturday at 12 p.m. CDT. The session will take place at the Mission Foods Display.
Hagan will be making a Menards store appearance on Thursday, August 10 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. CDT in Topeka, Kansas (6401 SW 17th St.) to promote the new partnership between American Rebel, Tony Stewart Racing and Menards.
Tony Stewart Racing
