Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) has announced a major leadership change for the 2025 NHRA Funny Car season, promoting Mike Knudsen to crew chief and bringing on Phil Shuler as co-crew chief for Matt Hagan’s team. The move signals TSR’s intent to build on its championship-winning momentum.

Knudsen, who has worked with Hagan since 2013, steps into the crew chief role after helping secure three NHRA Funny Car championships in 2014, 2020, and 2023. A key figure at TSR since its inception in 2022, he was instrumental in Hagan’s most recent win at the Texas NHRA FallNationals.

“I’m really excited to take the next step in my career,” said Knudsen. “Thank you to Dickie’s (Venables) mentorship, I feel very prepared to step into the crew chief role. I couldn’t ask for a better situation. Tony (Stewart) is the best owner in the NHRA, and we have a championship-winning team that’s led by Alex Conaway (car chief), also with Hagan being a four-time championship-winning driver. I’m also excited to bring Shuler on board. He and I have multiple years of experience working together at DSR. I feel we will really complement each other as co-crew chiefs. We’re excited to get the 2025 season underway and hunt down that fifth championship for Matt.”

Shuler, a seasoned NHRA tuner, brings years of experience from his time with Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and, most recently, Maynard Family Racing. His expertise complements Knudsen’s, forming a dynamic duo to lead Hagan’s team in 2025.

“I’m really excited to get the opportunity to work with Tony Stewart Racing,” stated Phil Shuler. “There are a lot of people there that I’ve worked with over the years at DSR and have a good relationship with. I’ve worked with Mike Knudsen a lot. He handled clutch on a car I was one of the crew chiefs on back in the day. He has always been a very sharp individual and has moved up the ranks. This is a well-deserved opportunity for him and I’m excited to help him wherever I can. We will try to have the best Funny Car in the NHRA in 2025.”

Team owner Tony Stewart expressed confidence in the new leadership lineup while acknowledging Venables’ contributions. “First, I’d like to thank Dickie for all of his contributions at TSR,” said Stewart. “… the call we made to elevate Mike Knudsen to the crew chief role is what is ultimately best for the dynamic of this team. I’m very proud of Mike for being promoted to the crew chief role. He is a strong leader and a great tuner and well-prepared to take on this new position. With this change, we are also excited to have Phil Shuler join the team alongside Mike.”

The 2025 NHRA season kicks off at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, on March 6-9, with TSR poised to chase more victories and championships.