NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS: TONY STEWART RACING PREVIEW

By: Tony Stewart Racing (Photos Courtesy TSR)

EPPING, N.H. (June 04, 2026) – The NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway marks the second of three back-to-back races of a mid-season Eastern Swing in the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season. Leah Pruett and the Dodge // SRT Hellcat Top Fuel team are on the hunt for their first win of the 2026 season while teammate Matt Hagan and the Dodge // SRT Hellcat Funny Car team are looking for their second. Both are looking for a chance to move up in the points.

Pruett, a 12-time NHRA event winner, is looking for her first win at the New England Nationals. Despite not visiting the winners circle at the fan favorite location, Pruett has secured the No. 1 qualifying spot at New England Dragway twice, back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.

“We’re going into Epping at sea level (similar to Maryland last weekend), but we’re not going to have three consistent days of atmospheric conditions like we did in Maryland. It looks like it changes every day pretty drastically. Just another huge element that we’ll all be battling,” Pruett said. “We have had a great average qualifying position so far this season, but we’d love to get more of those top qualifiers.”

Pruett is coming of a semi-final finish at the inaugural Potomac Nationals at Maryland international Raceway. It was her third of the season and fourth time in seven races that she’s made it to the semi-finals. She finished runner-up at the NHRA Arizona Nationals and has yet to endure a first-round loss.

“I have to say, there’s nothing, like having to pack up from racing one weekend knowing that the next time you get a crack at it is just a few days away,” Pruett continued. “It’s perfect and I’m looking forward to it.”

Hagan, who is coming off a first-round exit at the Potomac Nationals, the first for the Dodge // SRT Hellcat team this season, is the winningest professional driver at New England Dragway. He picked up three consecutive victories from 2017 to 2019 and most recently won in 2022. He was also No. 1 qualifier in 2018, 2021 and 2022. 

“Epping is definitely a place where we’ve had a lot of success. Not saying that’s any guarantee for this weekend but it gives a little extra confidence to be racing at a great place that we’ve had a lot of success at over the years. I’m hoping we continue to do well there,” Hagan said. “I’m excited to get up hopefully we have some good weather. The atmosphere, the environment, the culture up there in New Hampshire is really cool, a lot of neat places to see and great food.”

Hagan extended his streak of winning at least one NHRA event per season to 14 when he picked up the diamond Wally at the Winternationals in Southern California, NHRA’s 1000th Funny Car race. The four-time world champion is currently fourth in points, 47 out of the lead just seven from third place.

“Last weekend in Maryland was tough with a parts failure and an exit in the first round that is really tough especially against [reigning world champion Austin] Prock. Those guys were bound to figure their car out, you just hate for it to be against you,” Hagan said. “It just wasn’t our day, we will move on. That was that motor’s last race. It just needed to make it three more runs and couldn’t get it one. Long story short, heading into Epping with great parts and pieces, and great people putting the Dodge Funny Car together. I love what we I get to do and I’m ready to get to it in New England.”

Competition at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway begins with four rounds of qualifying Friday at 5 and 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Eliminations will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with two qualifying shows Friday at 8 p.m. Et and Saturday at 10 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will air on FOX Broadcasting Network (FOX) Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.