Of late, Tony Stewart faced stormy seas when his entire team, with Kevin Harvick as the final straw, was ousted from the playoff race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol. Yet, the NHRA seems to be a silver lining on this cloud for Stewart.

Fresh off his inaugural season in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster class, Stewart clocked a staggering 5.213 seconds at 271.19 mph in his McPhillips Racing dragster, triumphing over Madison Payne at Maple Grove Raceway. Not resting on their laurels, his team, Tony Stewart Racing Nitro, has clinched yet another track record. 

In NHRA, the team of Tony Stewart has once again raised the bar

The illustrious 41st edition of the 4-Crown Nationals at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway is set to be a landmark event. With a formidable lineup of 37 drivers, this year eclipses the previous record set in 1996, when 36 valiant racers graced the dirt track. As the champions from the World of Outlaws, USAC, and the Tezos All-Star Circuit of Champions converge, spectators are in for a grand racing spectacle like no other.

Following this, the two consecutive events have shaken Tony Stewart’s team. First is Stewart’s victory over Madison Payne at Maple Grove Raceway. It marks his second national event triumph in addition to two divisional triumphs, making it a total of four wins in his first season as an NHRA competitor. Beyond his personal accolades, Stewart’s imprint in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing series is evident through his ownership of a team that boasts the talents of Top Fuel driver and spouse, Leah Pruett, and the two-time Funny Car champion, Matt Hagan. This recent victory propels Stewart to the vanguard in the Top Alcohol class rankings.

Second, on Friday at the prestigious 15th Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, Tony Stewart Racing’s stalwart funny car driver Matt Hagan inscribed history on the zMAX Dragway’s courses. Hagan blazed a trail by setting the Funny Car category E.T. record, completing a scintillating run in just 3.825 seconds, clocking in at a staggering 333.49 mph in his colossal 11,000-horsepower behemoth.

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If this record stands the test of time, the three-time Funny Car global champion would clinch his 50th career premier qualification and his second for this season. An elated Hagan remarked, “That was a great moment right there. It’s just a great day, and what a lap to lay down there. When they’re on a run like that and they’re digging, they’re a handful, and that’s why we love driving these things. I’m so proud of my guys.”

Adding another layer to this narrative, Eddie Krawiec secured the third position with a 6.825 at 197.94, while Chip Ellis, fresh off his final round appearance last week, currently occupies the second spot with a 6.817 at 199.05. After a single session, Smith stands in the 17th slot.

But that’s not all. As the dust settles, whispers of yet another feather in the rumblings around Tony Stewart’s team’s cap are afoot.

Tony Stewart’s NHRA squad has signed a new sponsorship agreement

While the chapter for Stewart-Haas Racing drivers might have concluded with Kevin Harvick’s 29th position at Bristol, Tony Stewart’s NHRA team appears to be soaring. The latest buzz? The team is broadening its horizons with Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage (JHG).

As per nhra.com, the coming weekend’s Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals will see Matt Hagan’s Tony Stewart Racing Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car donning the hues of JHG. This showcase is emblematic of the burgeoning partnership between Tony Stewart Racing and JHG.

The enhanced agreement promises expansion—from two main events in 2023 to a commanding six by 2024. While 2023 witnessed their prowess in the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals and the Betway NHRA Carolina, 2024 will unfurl a broader canvas. JHG is set to be the principal sponsor for Hagan in events such as the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, and the Texas NHRA FallNationals. Adorned in a striking red, Hagan’s vehicle will sport JHG prominently on its hood and flank panels. For the remaining races, JHG will serve as an esteemed associate partner.

With Stewart’s NHRA contingent making waves both on the tarmac and in the boardroom, NASCAR aficionados are palpably eager for the return of their beloved motorsport icon to the NASCAR circuits.

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