Tony Stewart Racing heads to Route 66 Raceway for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals with both Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett firmly planted in championship contention as the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season continues to heat up. With one quarter of the season already complete, TSR’s nitro programs have established themselves as legitimate title threats in both Funny Car and Top Fuel competition.
The historic Joliet facility has been good to both drivers throughout their careers, and the team arrives in Chicago looking to capitalize on momentum, consistency, and strong performances across the opening five races of the season.
Matt Hagan Chasing Another Route 66 Raceway Victory
Few Funny Car drivers have enjoyed as much success at Route 66 Raceway as Matt Hagan. The four-time NHRA Funny Car world champion owns four victories at the facility and enters the weekend on the verge of another major career milestone.
Hagan and the Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car team have been one of the most consistent combinations in the NHRA Funny Car category during the 2026 season. Through five races, Hagan has scored one victory, two semifinal appearances, and has advanced to at least the quarterfinals at every event.
That consistency has helped place the TSR Funny Car operation third in the current points standings as the series heads into Chicago.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Chicago and a good race track, both lanes are smooth, and it’s a stadium-style arena, but the biggest thing is just side-by-side racing,” Hagan said. “I think last race in Georgia was tough, it was a new race track for us, and lane choice really mattered.”
The Route 66 Raceway surface has historically rewarded teams capable of making aggressive runs, something Hagan and crew chief Mike Knudsen have excelled at throughout their partnership.
“Chicago has always been a really good track, and we’re able to put on a good show. I’m looking forward to getting back to it. I’m looking forward to getting back to racing after our week off,” Hagan added.
Route 66 Raceway Holds Special Memories For Hagan
Hagan’s history at Route 66 Raceway runs deep. His victories came in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2024, while he also secured No. 1 qualifying positions in 2016 and 2018.
One of the most memorable moments of Hagan’s career also happened at the Chicago-area facility when he set a national elapsed-time record during a victory weekend.
“Route 66 Raceway is just one of those tracks where it has good vibes, it’s always treated me pretty well. I’ve got a lot of good memories here,” Hagan said.
“I set a national record during one of my wins, and it was back when you had to back it up, so winning that weekend was a wild deal. There was a big thunderstorm that came in that put racing behind a couple of hours, but conditions got really good afterwards. We were really able to lay it down, and we went out there and officially set the national record and won the race. It was wild.”
Hagan also reflected on the significance of racing — and defeating — NHRA legend John Force at Route 66 Raceway.
“And then two of my wins, they came at the expense of John Force. That’s something, as a driver, I’m super honored to be able to say that I’ve competed against him, battled it out for race wins and championships,” Hagan explained.
“Racing a guy who has had a hand in the evolution of the sport, it’s cool, and I’m glad I got to race with him. He’s one of the best there ever will be. To have raced him here in the Chicago finals and gotten the win against him twice, that means a lot. It just was always an honor to race John.”
Hagan Approaching 100th Career Final Round
The Joliet weekend could also produce another major milestone for Hagan’s Hall of Fame-caliber career. His next final-round appearance will mark the 100th of his professional NHRA career.
“Wow, my next final round will be my 100th that’s a pretty wild stat there,” Hagan said. “I guess what pops in my head at first is I’ve been out here doing this a while, and I’m getting old.”
Despite the milestone, Hagan remains focused on adding more wins to his already impressive résumé.
“But, you know, I’m a little better than 50-50 on wins, so I’m just hoping that next final round was as good as my last, winning the Winternationals,” he continued.
“Nonetheless man, I’m really blessed to have those and to have had the opportunity. You can do everything right and still get everything wrong, and you aren’t guaranteed to be blessed to win the trophy, the money, and the bonus for the guys. Just having 100 opportunities to win trophies, to have won 56 of them, I’m ready for the next one.”
Leah Pruett Continues Strong Return To Top Fuel Competition
Leah Pruett’s return to full-time NHRA Top Fuel competition after stepping away to start a family has been one of the major storylines of the 2026 season.
The Dodge Top Fuel dragster driver has quickly re-established herself as a championship contender, advancing to at least the quarterfinals in all five events this season. Pruett has already earned a runner-up finish at the Arizona Nationals and secured the No. 1 qualifying position at the Winternationals in Pomona.
Her strong performances have placed TSR’s Top Fuel operation third in the standings entering the Route 66 Nationals.
After a second-round exit at the Southern Nationals in Georgia, Pruett and the team stayed behind for additional testing to continue refining their combination.
“Testing overall went very well as we continue to put together pieces in a much larger picture. We’ve absolutely had steady progression through these first five races,” Pruett said.
“Our first Wally of the year is in the crosshairs. It’s so close, I can feel it. That feeling is mutual throughout our pit.”
Defending Route 66 Success Adds Confidence For Pruett
Although Pruett was not behind the wheel during the team’s 2025 Route 66 Nationals victory, the success still provides additional confidence entering the weekend.
Last season, Tony Stewart drove the TSR Dodge Top Fuel dragster to victory in Chicago while Pruett remained on hiatus. Now, she hopes to add her own Route 66 Raceway victory to the team’s growing legacy.
“I believe Chicago and this team have had a good working relationship. So yes, it gives me even more confidence coming into this event,” Pruett said.
“Tony winning and bringing our son Dom to the winners’ circle was a great memory, and I’m looking forward to making the Chicago family picture full circle with a win of my own this weekend.”
As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series enters a critical stretch of the season, Tony Stewart Racing appears poised to continue its rise toward championship contention in both nitro categories.
You might also like
Project Hustler’s Gen III HEMI: Why We’re Starting Strong With An Aluminum Callies Hellephant Block
If you're going to push a Gen III HEMI to its limits you need a strong engine block. Here's a look at Callies' Hellephant HEMI block.
