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NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS QUALIFYING: LEAH PRUETT AND MATT HAGAN TAKE PROVISIONAL NO. 1s AT BRISTOL DRAGWAY

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By: Tony Stewart Racing (Photos Courtesy TSR)

LEAH PRUETT
Rush Truck Centers / Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster

  • 13-time NHRA National Event Winner
  • Finished 2023 runner-up in championship points
  • Finished runner-up up at the 2026 NHRA Arizona Nationals
  • Has finished quarterfinals or better all season
  • No. 1 qualifier at the NHRA Winternationals
  • Won NHRA New England Nationals with No. 1 qualifying run Friday night at Bristol Dragway
  • Won New England Nationals as a carry over in the Dodge livery
  • Will represent Rush Trucks for the remainder of the Thunder Valley Nationals

Qualifying
Qualifying: No. 1
3.794 seconds at 332.43 mph
Bonus Qualifying Points: 3
Q1: 3.808 at 329.18
Q2: 3.794 at 332.43

“Yes, we smoked the tires in Q1 but I’ll tell you something about this track. I got to about 200 feet I was like this is the smoothest thing I think I’ve ever been on. This is incredible, we’re making it to the end and then of course, we didn’t. This is such an opposite feeling of what drivers as far as characteristics on a track,” said Leah referencing the new track surface at Bristol Dragway.

“Going low is significant for cars in a 15 car field. You essentially get a whole extra run. That puts you a run ahead of everyone. The Kalitta cars have been great at that. So I’m really proud of our team and our progression and putting us in those same situations. Those are earned and we are right there doing the things we need to do to earn those same opportunities. I’m proud of this team and how hard they’ve worked. I have a new appreciation for what our crew chiefs go through after sitting on the sideline for two years and working so closely with them. Tuning it up, being aggressive like we were is way more than just turning one knob.”

MATT HAGAN
Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car

  • Four-time world champion (2023, 2020, 2014, 2011)
  • Finished 2025 season runner-up
  • Won the NHRA Winternationals, NHRA’s 1000th Funny Car race
  • 14 season streak with at least one win
  • Won the Thunder Valley Nationals in 2015
  • Runner-up in 2016
  • If it holds, would be his first No. 1 at Bristol Dragway

Qualifying:
Qualifying: No. 1
4.009 seconds at 319.60 mph
Q1: 5.670 at 126.19
Q2: 4.009 at 319.60

” I know we ran a 4-second flat out there and that doesn’t sound very impressive, but as the rubber comes around on this new track surface, we’ll be able to apply more power to it. As more runs are made down you’ll start to really see better performance. It’s just a matter of time, but the racing surface itself is a massive improvement from what we’ve had in the past. I couldn’t even feel the bumps for the tunnel or anything like that. So, hats off to the work that was done, we have a really good racetrack under us, and I think it will only get better as we go. So I don’t feel like that 4-second run will hold as the No. 1 qualifier, but it gives us a good baseline to work off of.”