Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) is geared up and ready for action as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series rolls into Firebird Motorsports Park for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, the second stop on the 2025 season calendar. Located just southeast of Phoenix, Firebird Motorsports Park sets the stage for TSR’s two powerhouse entries: Tony Stewart in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car.
Coming into Phoenix, Stewart currently sits seventh in the Top Fuel standings, trailing leader Antron Brown by 69 points. Stewart, piloting the Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster, seeks his first career No. 1 qualifier and victory at this event. Last year, he made an impressive run to the semifinals, ultimately falling short to Justin Ashley. Phoenix has proven memorable for Stewart, who earned the second of his 49 NASCAR victories at nearby Phoenix Raceway in 1999. With Direct Connection as his primary partner this weekend, Stewart brings factory-backed high-performance power to the track.
“Our confidence is definitely boosted heading to Phoenix,” Stewart remarked. “We had a challenging start during testing in Bradenton, but I’m proud of how Neal Strausbaugh, Mike Domagala, Ryan McGilvry, and the whole team turned things around at Gainesville. We have something consistent to build on, and we’re excited to capitalize on opportunities here, especially in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.”
Due to Steve Torrence’s absence, Stewart gains entry into Saturday’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, facing Antron Brown with valuable points and bonus purse on the line, crucial to his Countdown to the Championship efforts.
Matt Hagan, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car, heads into Phoenix sitting fourth in the Funny Car standings, just 39 points behind leader Chad Green. A seasoned competitor at Firebird, Hagan has previously secured three victories at this venue (2015, 2017, 2019) and is the current track record holder with a blistering 3.823-second elapsed time, set in 2022.
Hagan, now under the guidance of new crew chiefs Mike Knudsen and Phil Shuler, brings momentum from a strong semifinal appearance at Gainesville. Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, his primary partner this weekend, underscores the passion and energy he and his team bring to the dragstrip.
“Gainesville showed the strength and depth of our team,” Hagan said. “With Mike and Phil stepping up, we’ve got a solid baseline to attack Phoenix. Every qualifying point is crucial, especially with Chad Green coming off a win. We know how tight this battle will be, so our focus is on making every run count.”
Hagan and Stewart both qualified to compete in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Phoenix, offering additional opportunities for valuable championship points and prize money.
Fans can meet Stewart, Hagan, and teammate Leah Pruett during autograph sessions at the Dodge display in the pits on both Friday and Saturday.
TSR is prepared and determined to put on a powerful performance at Firebird Motorsports Park as the race for the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series title heats up.
This story was originally published on March 17, 2025.
The post Tony Stewart, Matt Hagan Target Success at NHRA Arizona Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.