- The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Sept. 12-15 at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pennsylvania, is the 15th race on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race schedule. However, it’s the opening round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship, where both Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers – Tony Stewart in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car – are ready to make a title run in their respective divisions. The top-10 drivers in each of the NHRA’s four professional categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – compete in the Countdown. Stewart is a Top Fuel rookie and Hagan is a 51-time Funny Car winner and four-time champion.
- This year’s Countdown marks Stewart’s first appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 13th. Stewart is seventh heading into the Countdown, 77 points behind leader Doug Kalitta. Hagan is third, 46 points behind leader Austin Prock.
- Hagan has won 15 times in the Countdown to the Championship, second among Funny Car drivers only to Robert Hight (16), who presently is not active.
- Stewart and Hagan come into Reading representing Rinnai America Corporation and Operation Healing Forces/Shelor Motor Mile, respectively.
- Stewart’s Top Fuel dragster carries the colors of Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation. Established in 1974 and headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga., Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the number one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating A Healthier Way of Living©.
- Hagan’s Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car represents Operation Healing Forces (OHF) and Shelor Motor Mile. OHF was formed in 2011 with the goal of strengthening human bonds amongst the Special Operation Forces (SOF) community. OHF’s programs are specifically designed and tailored to enable war-torn men and women to break through the silence and openly discuss their battlefield and personal hardships and provide needed support. OHF believes in reintegration, rehabilitation and resiliency. Shelor Motor Mile is a family-owned car dealership serving the Christiansburg, Virginia, area since 1974. In addition to a large selection of cars and trucks from various manufacturers, Shelor Motor Mile also has an in-house financing department that can help customers determine a financial plan for buying their desired vehicle. They also make trading-in a vehicle a seamless process and offer a sizable assortment of pre-owned cars. Shelor Motor Mile is owned by Hagan’s father, David Hagan.
- The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals will serve as Stewart’s 15th career Top Fuel start and his first at Maple Grove. For Hagan, this will be his 347th career Funny Car start and his 15th at the track.
- Stewart is seeking his first victory in the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, as well as his first No. 1 qualifier at the event. However, he’s made two starts at Maple Grove Raceway in the Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) class. In 2023, Stewart qualified third at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in TAD and won the event, defeating Fiona Crisp, Mike Lewis, Brando Greco and Madison Payne. Stewart also collected a Division 3 win at Maple Grove Raceway in 2023, defeating John Ausherman, Dan Page and Matthew Cummings.
- Hagan won the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in 2014. His run of 4.330 ET at 215.00 mph defeated Tommy Johnson (5.465 ET at 152.31 mph). Although Hagan has only one win at Maple Grove Raceway, his car has won twice. In 2021, when he was sidelined with COVID-19, Tommy Johnson Jr. subbed for him and won the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Hagan’s car with crew chief Dickie Venables. Hagan also has two No. 1 qualifiers at Maple Grove – 2010 when he set a then NHRA national record 4.011 ET and in 2016 with a 3.873 ET.
- The Mopar CAP (Career Automotive Program) will be partnering with TSR on Friday for the fourth of seven events this season. CAP consists of strategic alliances between Stellantis and over 100 colleges and trade schools teaching technical curriculum integrated into the school’s general automotive program, so that students can become certified Stellantis technicians.
- The Tony Stewart Store merchandise trailer will be on-site at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. Hagan will be signing on Friday from 2:15-2:45 p.m. and Stewart will be signing Saturday from 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals begins your Ride to Five (Championships). What is your mindset heading into Maple Grove Raceway, being third in the Funny car standings and knowing back-to-back championships is attainable for you and your team?
“Reading is always special because it is always fast. It kicks off the Countdown to the Championship. I’ve always done well at Maple Grove Raceway and my first race took place there in 2008. The weather is good, the cars are fast, and the track is good. Kenny Koretsky does a great job with the place. They’re racers and they love to support the atmosphere and environment. Rolling in there and trying to kick off the Ride to Five is big. We have some work to do as a team and I have some work to do as a driver. (Austin) Prock is on a different planet right now. The kid is cutting .050 lights (reaction time) and they’re running faster than anyone out here. It’s a tall order to fill, but it’s obtainable. Anything can happen and that’s why we race them on Sunday. If someone could win them all, they would. But they can’t, and that’s why we show up. We will work hard and dig deep and put all we’ve got into these next six races. We need to have a lot of focus and drive to do the best we can. I want to get there and stay focused and do my job. I know my guys will go do their job, so we’ll see what we can get done.”
You’re carrying the Operation Healing Forces/Shelor Motor Mile colors this weekend. How special is it representing our Nation’s heroes, as well as your dad’s company, on your Funny Car?
“Running Operation Healing Forces is really cool. I’ve been spending more time with them on the side getting to know their ins and outs. My dad is a veteran, so it related to him. He wanted to get involved in a foundation that he believes in and stands behind. It makes me proud to be able to carry their colors and I hope we can put them in the winner’s circle for the first time.”
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