zMAX Dragway, Concord, N.C.
LEAH PRUETT
Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster
Unofficial Points Standing:
3rd
12-time NHRA National Event Winner
Finished 2023 runner-up in championship points
Lined up against husband and team owner Tony Stewart for the first time in eliminations during the final quad
The last time she competed in the four-wide format, she qualifed No. 3 and finished runner-up
Qualifying
No. 2;3.700 seconds, 333.82 mph
Bonus Qualifying Points: 2
Q1: 3.817 at 328.38
Q2: 3.700 at 333.82
Q3: 6.111 at 114.25
Q4: 4.889 at 152.71
Race Results:
E1: 4.573 at 333.16 Lost to Justin Ashley(1) 3.699 at 336.74; def. Will Smith 3.748 at 330.47, Ida Zetterstrom 3.803 at 334.90.
E2: 3.749 at 333.66 lost to Doug Kalitta 3.707 at 339.02; def. Justin Ashley 3.774 at 331.61, Maddi Gordon 3.767 at 333.16.
Final Quad: 3.724 at 329.42 def. Tony Stewart10.663 at 66.89; Lost to Doug Kalitta 3.692 at 342.98, Shawn Langdon 0523.727 at 338.51.
“Our TSR Dodge team continues to show strength every single weekend. Again, a strong qualifying in No. 2 and overall, the four-wide is unique. It comes with some rewards of its own, and to continue to advance through the first round is tough. Even though it’s only three rounds, it’s five and half hours and we had a really good strategy for this weekend. I have to sit back and take a look at my personal performance since Gainesville when we started the season. Then, there were slight improvements at Phoenix and Pomona. I have made the biggest gains this weekend. And it is heartbreaking. No one wants to lose in the final round. And there are very few times you can try different things. Staging thin, gaining lane choice especially at the four-wide. I tried something new this weekend that I used a long time ago. It didn’t go as well as planned this time, but I have many benefits from the weekend for my reaction time toolbox.
“We are very happy with the car and we are No. 3 in points now. I didn’t think about racing Tony (Stewart, her husband) in the final round, because it is way more than just Tony. We were racing against the Kalitta cars, the two top cars in the series right now. Actually, when I was in the car I thought that I didn’t even get to talk to him before the race. That is totally fine. I was emotionless. And that is the goal when he is in the other lane. I don’t get better results because I want it more. I feel the matchups with Tony are coming in drawn out orders. At Phoenix, it was a qualifying round. Then not head-to-head in today’s final either. We could possibly run each other if we both make it next week at the Mission 2Fast2Tasty final.
“This year with my return to driving, I get to reestablish myself in front of everyone and every single eyeball. And I feel that things are moving very well and in the right direction for me back in the car and working with the team again. This team can definitely battle for a championship like the past three years with myself and Tony in the driver’s seat of the TSR Dodge Top Fueler. I’m anxious to get to the Southern Georgia track now. I got my Funny Car license there and tested Pro Mod and Factory Stock at that track.”
“We are very happy with the car and we are No. 3 in points now. I didn’t think about racing Tony (Stewart, her husband) in the final round, because it is way more than just Tony. We were racing against the Kalitta cars, the two top cars in the series right now. Actually, when I was in the car I thought that I didn’t even get to talk to him before the race. That is totally fine. I was emotionless. And that is the goal when he is in the other lane. I don’t get better results because I want it more. I feel the matchups with Tony are coming in drawn out orders. At Phoenix, it was a qualifying round. Then not head-to-head in today’s final either. We could possibly run each other if we both make it next week at the Mission 2Fast2Tasty final.
“This year with my return to driving, I get to reestablish myself in front of everyone and every single eyeball. And I feel that things are moving very well and in the right direction for me back in the car and working with the team again. This team can definitely battle for a championship like the past three years with myself and Tony in the driver’s seat of the TSR Dodge Top Fueler. I’m anxious to get to the Southern Georgia track now. I got my Funny Car license there and tested Pro Mod and Factory Stock at that track.”
MATT HAGAN
Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car
Unofficial Points Standing:
2nd
Four-time world champion (2023, 2020, 2014, 2011)
Finished 2025 season runner-up in the championship points standings
Coming off a win at the Winternationals, NHRA’s 1000th Funny Car race
14 season streak with at least one win
Has four wins at zMAX Dragway; three int he 4-wide format
Recorded the first sub-4-second run at the facility in 2011
Previously won at the NHRA Arizona Nationals in 2015, 2017, 2019
Qualifying:
No. 3; 3.901 seconds at 326.16 mph
Bonus Qualifying Points: 2
Q1: 4.066 at 292.65
Q2: 3.901 at 326.16
Q3: 3.972 at 325.77
Q4: 5.820 at 122.77
Race Results:
E1: 3.913 at 332.92 def. John Smith 4.119 at 311.49, Cruz Pedregon 4.576 at 193.49; lost to Jack Beckman 3.868 at 327.66
E2: 3.948 at 323.74 def. Dave Richards 4.257 at 222.88, Jack Beckman 4.367 at 304.05, Jordan Vandergriff 9.698 at 72.35.
Final Quad: 3.947 at 330.55 def. JR Todd 4.050 at 323.81; lost to Ron Capps 3.905 at 334.90, Jack Beckman 3.917 at 329.50
“The four-wide is different. It’s like you throw your name in the hat and see what is drawn. It’s crazy because crew chiefs don’t get that many runs in each lane. We didn’t even get over to lane four in qualifying due to the #2Fast2Tasty final. It’s a great and different show for the fans.
“It was fun to have a lot of Dodge people here this weekend with the Dodge livery back on the car. And the Mopar CAP program was here with all of the kids that we got to talk to about a future in the car community. Regarding the race car, we went some rounds and gained points. Of course, we would have liked to have won again like the Pomona 1000th Funny Car race win two weeks ago. We learned some more this weekend as we get ready for the summer events in hotter conditions. I also want to thank NHRA for honoring me this weekend for the first three-second run back in 2011 and for being part of the top 75 drivers. This is a home track for me so it was extra special to get recognized in front of so many friends and fans here. Thanks to them.”
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