Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan will debut striking new red-and-blue Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Direct Connection Dodge//SRT graphics at NHRA Gatornationals

Hagan, a four-time NHRA World Champion, returns to the NHRA Gatornationals as a two-time race winner (2022-23) in the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car.
 
“Dodge is so proud to have Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan once again pilot our Direct Connection Dodge//SRT drag cars in NHRA competition,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “Dodge holds a tremendous legacy in NHRA competition that reaches back for decades, and having two racing legends driving our Nitro cars is the perfect fit. Tony Stewart Racing brings Direct Connection Dodge//SRT performance to thousands of race fans, and our Dodge fans will be cheering them on to the winner’s circle throughout the year.”
  
Hagan’s TSR Dodge//SRT Hellcat team made several crew changes during the winter with veteran Mike Knudsen taking over as the squad’s crew chief and Phil Shuler as co-crew chief for the Virginia driver’s 11,000-horsepower Funny Car. In addition, several of Hagan’s Funny Car crew have taken over new positions with the team, including Alex Conaway as car chief.
 

After an early testing session in Bradenton, Florida, which produced a strong 3.820-second pass, Hagan, with 52 NHRA career national event victories, is ecstatic with the initial performance of the Dodge//SRT machine and his crew.
 
“Having a new crew chief is kind of exciting,” said Hagan, the first Funny Car driver to break the 3.80-second barrier. “With Dickie Venables (former crew chief), we made a lot of memories. We won many races and championships. I’ve also spent 15 years with Mike Knudsen and watched him move his way up from the bottom. I would love nothing more than to win a championship with him. Things are looking bright for the future. I told him the other day that we have a chance to start a legacy and build on what I’ve accomplished so far in the sport.
 
“Mike, Phil and Alex are all the real deal. I’m excited to get to Gainesville. This is my 18th year with Dodge, and it has been an incredible ride. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go in this sport, so it’s unreal I have been with such a great sponsor for that time frame. They have been so loyal to me, and we are very loyal to them. My family has been a Dodge dealer for 50 years!”
 
The popular NHRA Gatornationals, with many sellouts in recent years, has Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying rounds on Friday, March 7, at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST, and Saturday, March 8, at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. EST. Final eliminations will get underway on Sunday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m. EST.
 
The Fox Sports 1 television network will show qualifying action on Saturday, March, at 8 p.m. EST, as well as final eliminations on Sunday, March 9, at 7 p.m. EST.

Posted by TSR