Tony Stewart Racing [TSR] will represent the Dodge brand as the team announced an extension for the foreseeable future. Details of the extension, which entails both the team’s Top Fuel and Funny Car teams, were not revealed in a team statement.
The partnership began in 2022 and has yielded 15 national event victories and the Funny Car NHRA Mission Foods championship in 2023 with Matt Hagan. In 2024, team owner Tony Stewart took over the driving chores on the dragster while his wife Leah Pruett is on leave of absence as they begin a family.
“The Dodge brand is excited to extend our partnership with an elite, winning organization like Tony Stewart Racing,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge brand CEO – Stellantis. “Dodge owns a historic legacy in NHRA competition, and racing icon and legend Tony Stewart, four-time NHRA world champion Matt Hagan, and 18-time NHRA event winner Leah Pruett are the perfect ambassadors to represent our brand and our Direct Connection performance parts line. Along with our Dodge Brotherhood of Muscle, I look forward to continuing to cheer on Tony, Matt, Leah, and the entire TSR organization.”
Hagan (12) and Pruett (3) have combined for 15 NHRA national event wins since Dodge partnered with TSR in 2022, with Hagan capturing six wins on his way to the 2023 Funny Car crown. Pruett placed third in the 2023 Top Fuel points with two wins in the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT dragster.
Stewart, the former NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC series champion, is a NASCAR Hall of Famer who shocked the motorsports community in 2023 by entering a fourth racing discipline, drag racing, and now competes full-time at the highest level in NHRA Top Fuel competition. Stewart, who placed second in the Top Alcohol Dragster class national points in 2023, continues gaining experience in his rookie season in the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT dragster seat as the legendary racer seeks his first-ever Fuel win.
“Having strong OEM support is crucial in all forms of motorsports,” said Stewart. “To have Dodge re-sign with TSR is great. We are all excited about where the program has been up until this point, and we are all excited about where it’s going. It’s been a big change on the dragster side with Leah (Pruett) driving in the past, as far as the specs we had to change in the offseason. It’s been more of a challenge for the crew chiefs, but Dodge has been very supportive since we had the first discussion about creating TSR Nitro. I’m very appreciative of their support and looking forward to an awesome future with them.”
Hagan, the reigning NHRA Mission World Funny Car Champion, has been associated with the Dodge brand for 16 seasons, dating back to 2009. Hagan has made drag racing history with four historic marks, including becoming the first Funny Car driver to break the four-second barrier (3.995 in 2011) and 3.80 seconds (3.799 in 2015) and to reach 330 mph (2015) and 335 mph (2016) at 1,000 feet.
Hagan has recorded 51 NHRA national event victories and stands fourth on the all-time Funny Car win list.
“It’s really awesome to hear Dodge is extending their relationship with TSR,” said Hagan. “I have had such a long career with Dodge. I’ve been able to carry the Dodge banner for close to 16 years and I’ve been able to win four championships and 51 races with the brand. The parts and pieces and support they give us is amazing and allows us to be the best on the racetrack. It’s great to have such a long partnership. We’ve been able to build a championship team, and I am honored to be a part of that. Dodge has a great relationship with TSR and Tony (Stewart). It’s been awesome watching him grow.”
Pruett, whose relationship with Dodge and Mopar began in 2016, remains actively involved in the TSR organization and team strategies.
“This extension represents many aspects of our partnership — not only our enthusiasm to continue on-track success for the Dodge brand with our team and loyal fans but also as a pathway for Direct Connection to continue to connect with their customers through an established partnership,” said Pruett. “I hold Dodge and Direct Connection close to my heart, and I am thrilled to continue our partnership.”
