Pruett, Hagan Reach NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Final Rounds in TSR Dodge Nitro Cars

Leah Pruett advanced to the Top Fuel final quad and lined up alongside husband Tony Stewart for the first time in Top Fuel eliminations, while Matt Hagan powered to the Funny Car final to cap a strong weekend for Tony Stewart Racing at zMAX Dragway.

Tony Stewart Racing delivered a double-final performance at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, with Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan both advancing to championship-round competition in their Dodge nitro machines at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte.

Pruett continued her impressive return to Top Fuel competition by qualifying near the top of the field and showing race-day speed from the opening round. She posted a standout 3.673-second pass early in eliminations and followed it with another strong run to move into the final quad, where she joined Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon and Tony Stewart. The matchup marked the first time Pruett and Stewart competed in the same Top Fuel elimination round since Pruett returned to full-time driving.

That final-round appearance added another chapter to one of the most closely watched stories of the NHRA season. Pruett stepped back into the cockpit in 2026 after time away from full-time competition, and her early-season pace has made it clear she remains a legitimate contender. In Charlotte, she showed both consistency and quickness, putting the TSR Dodge Top Fuel dragster in position to challenge for the win all afternoon.

The Top Fuel final delivered one of the weekend’s biggest storylines and one of its biggest performances. Kalitta came away with the victory in a record-setting run, while Pruett crossed the line ahead of Stewart in the final quad to secure a podium finish and another important points gain. More importantly for TSR, Pruett’s performance reinforced the team’s upward momentum as the season begins to take shape.

On the Funny Car side, Hagan backed up his recent momentum with another run to the final round. The four-time world champion qualified among the leaders, then powered through the opening rounds with clean, competitive passes to put his Dodge Funny Car into the final. Hagan’s weekend once again demonstrated the consistency that has kept him in the championship conversation and made him a perennial threat at Charlotte.

Hagan’s final-round appearance came against one of the toughest possible fields, with multiple past champions in the mix. He remained in contention to the finish but ultimately settled for third in the final quad. Even so, the result gave TSR another headline performance and continued what has been a strong start to the season for the veteran Funny Car driver.

For Tony Stewart Racing, the weekend was about more than two final-round appearances. It was also a statement that the organization has the pace to contend in both nitro categories. Pruett’s return continues to gain strength with every round, while Hagan’s proven form gives the team a reliable championship-caliber presence in Funny Car. Add in the emotional element of Pruett sharing a final quad with Stewart for the first time in Top Fuel eliminations, and the Charlotte weekend became one of the most notable early-season moments for the team.

As the NHRA schedule rolls on, TSR leaves Charlotte with momentum, visibility and proof that both Dodge entries can pressure the field on any given Sunday. Pruett’s poise in a high-profile Top Fuel final and Hagan’s steady march to another Funny Car final suggest the team is building more than highlights — it is building a season-long challenge.