The NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip is the second event on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race calendar in 2024.
Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) brings its two full-time entries – one in Top Fuel for Top Fuel rookie Tony Stewart and one in Funny Car for 49-time Funny Car winner and four-time champion Matt Hagan.
Tony Stewart, Driver of the Mobil 1 Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster
With one Top Fuel weekend under your belt, what is your mindset going into Pomona knowing you got the first qualifying session and first round nerves out of the way?
“I definitely feel better going into Pomona after getting through Gainesville. I feel like I’ll be able to show up and just get to work, instead of worrying about the pomp and circumstance of that opening round and qualifying session.”
Mobil 1 has been one of your longtime partners. Talk about the significance of their partnership with you moving up to Top Fuel and how special it will be to run their 50th anniversary black and gold scheme.
“I can’t express how excited I am to run the black and gold 50th Anniversary scheme for Mobil 1. It is a huge honor because I’m very passionate about Mobil 1. They’ve been a great partner since we got together in 2011 at Stewart-Haas Racing. They have been a part of everything I have done since then. When we decided to go to the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks last year, they were completely on-board with it. To now be able to move up to Top Fuel with them and help them celebrate their 50th Anniversary is something I’m honored to do and very proud to be a part of. I’m excited to drive the black and gold car, I think it’s going to look great. All Mobil 1 fans will really get into the scheme, so I think it’s going to be a great weekend.”
Matt Hagan, Driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car
You’re the defending event winner at Pomona and you’re looking to bring home your fifth Wally from In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. What would it mean to record another win there?
“We’re coming off of Gainesville, where we thought we could have won three races in a row. But at the end of the day, we have to stay positive. We have a great team and a great tune-up with an awesome group of guys that are wrenching on the car. I feel confident that we will start the season strong. The Gatornationals were kind of a weird race for everyone, so you have to knock the dust off and keep moving forward. I’m looking forward to Pomona since we have such a good track history there. The car always runs pretty good, so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.”
Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage returns to your Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car this season, with the Winternationals marking their first primary race. Talk about the significance of their partnership.
“To have Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage and Jason (Johnson) in Pomona is big. I have yet to win for Jason with JHG on the car, so I’d really like to pull a win down. They’re really great people that have become family. If we can get a win, I want to get one for them very soon.”
Tony Stewart Racing Media
