Tony Stewart Advances To NHRA Playoffs After Impressive U.S. Nationals Performance
-Irwin Mills
Published: Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 21:54 [IST]
Tony Stewart, a racing legend, showcased his prowess in the NHRA Top Fuel category at the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals. Driving a special livery celebrating 50 years of Direct Connection performance parts, Stewart secured the No. 2 qualifying spot and reached the semifinals. His Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster clocked an impressive 3.707 seconds at 331.04 mph.
Stewart’s performance included defeating Doug Foley with a 3.723-second run in round one and Justin Ashley with a 3.747-second run in round two. However, his car lost traction against Steve Torrence in the semifinals, preventing him from advancing further. Despite this, Stewart clinched a spot in the final six-race “Countdown” playoffs for the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series championship.
Reigning NHRA Funny Car World Champion Matt Hagan had a challenging day when his TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat lost traction early on Monday. Hagan, who qualified eighth, saw his car smoke its tires at half track, leading to an early exit against Alexis DeJoria. Despite this setback, Hagan remains third in the NHRA Mission Series point standings as he heads into the “Countdown” playoffs starting September 13-15 in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Swedish driver Ida Zetterström made her mark by upsetting the No. 3 qualifier in her first-round win with a strong 3.759-second pass during her U.S. Nationals debut. Although she lost to Steve Torrence in round two with a close 3.797-second run against Torrence’s 3.742 seconds, Zetterström expressed pride in her team’s performance and their ability to qualify under intense pressure.
Stewart’s semifinal finish was significant as it secured his position in the final six-race NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series “Countdown” playoffs. He now ranks seventh in the standings and will compete next at the NHRA Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway from September 13-15.
“I’m still encouraged by the weekend, even with the semis loss,” said Stewart. “I don’t know what we have to do to win one of these races. That’s two races in a row in which we qualified second.” He added that they have a car capable of winning but need some luck on their side.
Direct Connection Celebrations
The event also marked celebrations for Direct Connection’s 50th anniversary, with both Stewart and Hagan sporting special graphics on their vehicles. The Direct Connection portfolio offers modern performance parts for Dodge vehicles and is available online and through Dodge Power Brokers dealers.
The NHRA Pep Boys Nationals will kick off on Friday, September 13, with nitro qualifying sessions scheduled throughout the weekend before final eliminations on Sunday, September 15.
Dodge’s Continued Legacy
Dodge has maintained its legacy of high performance for over a century since John and Horace Dodge founded it. The brand continues to innovate with electrified muscle cars like the all-new Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack and powerful SUVs like the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.
Mopar remains synonymous with genuine parts and exceptional service since its inception in 1937 as a line of antifreeze products. Today, Mopar integrates service and customer support worldwide while continuing to enhance vehicle performance through its extensive range of products.
The @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel provides fans with updates on Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers’ performances across various racing series including NHRA events.
As Stewart prepares for his next challenge at Maple Grove Raceway, he remains optimistic about his team’s capabilities despite recent setbacks: “We are ready for the ‘Countdown’ now… We just have to keep our heads down and the wins will come to us.”
Article Published On: Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 21:53 [IST]
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