Return to the Strip: Tony Stewart Racing Reloads for Route 66 Nationals

Mayhem took a breather – but the Dodge-backed warriors are back.

After a much-needed two-week break following the chaos of the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Concord, North Carolina, the NHRA is firing back up at full throttle. This time, all eyes shift to Joliet, Illinois, for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK, and the Dodge//SRT^®-backed Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) team is coming in locked, loaded and laser-focused.

A Two-Week Reset. A Whole New Mindset.

The pause between events has been anything but idle for TSR’s championship-caliber duo – Funny Car phenom Matt Hagan and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart. The layoff provided the team valuable time to analyze, tweak and reinforce. Now, with engines prepped and adrenaline levels maxed, the Dodge Direct Connection machines are roaring back to reclaim their edge.

“Sometimes that break is the calm before a storm,” says Hagan. “We’ve reset, regrouped, and we’re ready to go out there and light it up for Dodge, for TSR, and for the fans.”

Hagan Hunts Joliet Glory

For Hagan, the Route 66 Nationals present a familiar battleground. The TSR Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car has been dialed in this season with multiple strong performances – including several wins and top qualifier positions. Hagan’s aggressive style and tactical instincts make him a constant threat when the tree drops.

With championship implications intensifying, this mid-season stretch becomes critical, and Hagan knows it.

“Route 66 is one of those tracks where you can set a tone for the second half of the year,” Hagan explains. “We want to bring the hammer down now – and carry that momentum all the way to the U.S. Nationals and beyond.”

Tony Stewart: Calm Under Fire in Top Fuel

Meanwhile, Tony Stewart continues to build on his Top Fuel campaign with the kind of resolve only a multi-discipline motorsports champion can bring. While still in his rookie NHRA season, Stewart has already earned the respect of the pits – and a loyal following of fans who admire his grit and fast adaptation to drag racing’s most volatile class.

Backed by Dodge and piloting the TSR Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster, Stewart has been steadily narrowing the margin between new guy and serious contender.

“We’re not here just to make noise – we’re here to win,” says Stewart. “Every pass down the strip is a lesson, and Route 66 is the next chapter in our journey. I’ve got a killer team behind me and the baddest brand in motorsports on my side. Let’s go to work.”

Where to Follow the Action

Stay plugged into the full-throttle excitement all weekend long:

@DodgeMoparMotorsports on Instagram – Follow for behind-the-scenes content, live race updates and fan engagement straight from the track.

The break is over. The horsepower is back. And the Dodge-backed juggernauts are ready to make Route 66 the next chapter in their domination tour.

Buckle up – Joliet is about to get loud.