Tony Stewart, Driver of the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster
“I haven’t been around the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series very long, but I realized it takes a lot to win one of these Top Fuel races. In my career, I’ve never had to wait over a year to win a race. We always figured it out pretty quickly and we won. I had two ‘holeshot’ wins in the first two rounds today and my worst reaction time was in the final, but the TSR Rayce Rudeen Foundation crew gave me a great car in the final. Neal Strausbaugh (crew chief) and Mike Domagala (co-crew chief) and the whole crew won that final round for us today.
We needed this win. It’s been so stressful for everyone since Leah (Pruett – Stewart’s wife) nearly won the World Top Fuel Championship in 2023 when it came down to the final round of the whole season. We had a lot of changes for the team because my body weight is different. Car tubing is different, and it just takes time. It was frustrating as we just couldn’t get on a path to make consistent gains last year. Two years ago, I won my first NHRA national event in the Top Alcohol Dragster here at Las Vegas with McPhillips Racing, and now I win my first Top Fuel national event at the Strip. It’s pretty damn cool.
I’ve been a motorsports fan my whole life, and I think we made racing history today with the Top Fuel win. I’m not sure if there has ever been a driver to win a NASCAR Cup race, an IndyCar race, the USAC Triple Crown championship and an NHRA Pro event (Top Fuel). To do it with our team and our family was very emotional.
When Leah brought Dom (their newborn son) up on stage in victory lane, my heart stopped. I got so emotional there. That is a feeling I have never had in my life before. The Four Wide setup is the equalizer for me. I’m used to racing with many cars around me. It’s tough for the guys who are not used to four cars racing at once. We can’t get to Charlotte fast enough with the next four-wide setup. I love the format.
I think we had a great shot to win this race outright today. We won all three rounds. The track and heat conditions were an equalizer too. The conditions were very tricky. It made it a tuner’s game and our guys were the difference. I can now say I have won pro events on all four tracks at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it is very satisfying as a racing driver.”
Matt Hagan, Driver of the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car
“We had a good weekend going into the final with both Tony (Stewart) and I advancing. We had a rod bolt break at the hit of the throttle in the final round. Unfortunately, it took some cylinders out and threw some rods out of the motor. The car didn’t go anywhere. When it is a part breakage, it is a little easier to swallow. The part failed and cost us the opportunity to win the race. It’s tough because we were up for the final with a good chance to win.
We are still right in the hunt for the points lead now going to Charlotte for another four-wide race. The crew is doing a great job and we’ll get a win soon. I was earning my money all weekend with this tricky track surface and the heat. We were all over the track at the top end through the weekend. It was going left and then right, and it was spinning the tires. It was a tough deal for the driver and the crew. That does make it fun in a Funny Car. You have to be up on the steering wheel. I felt like I was Tony Stewart in a dirt car here.
I’m super proud of Tony and his whole crew with the win. They have had some tough times recently and they got the final at Pomona and now a win here. Happy for the Rayce Rudeen Foundation, Dodge, Direct Connection, Rinnai, Rush Truck Services and all of the TSR sponsors. I know Tony is relieved to get his first Top Fuel win.”
Next Up
The next event on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule is the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals April 25-27 at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.
Tony Stewart Racing | Photos: TSR
