The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues its busy Eastern Swing this weekend, and for Tony Stewart Racing’s nitro teams, the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway represents a prime opportunity to gain momentum in the championship chase.
Leah Pruett and the Dodge//SRT Hellcat Top Fuel team enter Epping searching for their first victory of the 2026 season, while teammate Matt Hagan and the Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car team look to add a second win to an already impressive campaign. With the season nearing its midpoint and every round win becoming increasingly important, both teams arrive in New Hampshire with plenty to race for.
Pruett Continues To Deliver Consistency
Few drivers have been as consistently competitive in Top Fuel this season as Leah Pruett.
The 12-time NHRA national event winner enters the New England Nationals after another semifinal finish at the inaugural Potomac Nationals. It marked her third semifinal appearance of the season and the fourth time in seven races she has advanced to at least the semifinals.
Even more impressive, Pruett has yet to suffer a first-round loss in 2026.
That consistency has positioned the Dodge//SRT Hellcat team as one of the strongest weekly contenders in the category, even without a victory to show for it.
New England Dragway has also treated Pruett well in qualifying. She earned back-to-back No. 1 qualifier awards at the facility in 2017 and 2018 and believes changing weather conditions could play a major role this weekend.
“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.”
With back-to-back races keeping teams focused and engaged, Pruett welcomes the quick turnaround.
“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 Returns To One Of His Best Tracks
If there is a venue on the NHRA schedule where Matt Hagan has consistently excelled, New England Dragway belongs near the top of the list.
The four-time NHRA Funny Car world champion is the winningest professional driver in the history of the New England Nationals. Hagan captured three consecutive victories from 2017 through 2019 and added another win in 2022. He also earned No. 1 qualifier honors in 2018, 2021, and 2022.
Those accomplishments don’t guarantee success this weekend, but they certainly provide confidence.
“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 enters the event fourth in the Funny Car standings, only 47 points out of the lead and just seven points behind third place. His season already includes a victory at NHRA’s historic 1,000th Funny Car race at the Winternationals, extending his remarkable streak of winning at least one national event every season to 14 consecutive years.
Learning From Maryland
Despite their strong season, the America Rebel Dodge//SRT Hellcat team experienced its first major setback of the year at the Potomac Nationals. A parts failure contributed to Hagan’s first first-round loss of the season, ending what had been one of the most consistent campaigns in Funny Car competition.
Still, Hagan isn’t dwelling on the disappointment.
“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.”
As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues its demanding summer schedule, both TSR nitro teams are positioned to make significant moves. Pruett continues to stack up round wins and remains one of the most consistent drivers in Top Fuel. Hagan has already visited the winner’s circle once this season and remains firmly in championship contention. Now both teams head to a track where they have enjoyed success in the past, hoping to convert strong performances into trophies and valuable points.
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