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Day to Forget: Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan Suffer Early Exits at NHRA Texas FallNationals

14.10.25


The NHRA Texas FallNationals proved to be an uncharacteristically short weekend for the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Dodge//SRT team. Despite the Texas Motorplex historically being a highly successful track for the team—including a unique "Double Up" win in 2023 with Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan—drivers Tony Stewart (Top Fuel) and Matt Hagan (Funny Car) were both eliminated in the very first round of eliminations on Sunday, October 13, 2025.

The early losses represent a significant hurdle for the team as the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series rapidly heads toward its conclusion.

Hagan’s Texas Streak Halted

Four-time NHRA world champion Matt Hagan entered the event with a spectacular record at the Texas Motorplex, having captured the Funny Car title in both 2023 and 2024 and boasting six consecutive final-round appearances. However, his dominant run was cut short this year.

  • First-Round Matchup: Hagan faced Paul Lee, who held lane choice.
  • The Race: Hagan's TSR Johnson Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car recorded a quick reaction time (0.059) but his 3.934 second pass wasn't enough to edge out Lee's 3.908. The difference at the finish line was a mere two feet.
  • Points Standings: Despite the defeat, Hagan remains second in the NHRA Mission Funny Car point standings with just two races left.

Hagan acknowledged the rough start to the weekend, which included a parts malfunction leading to an explosion in the first round of qualifying. "This was a really challenging weekend and obviously not what we set out to do losing first round," Hagan stated, shifting focus immediately to the next two events: "We have two races to go... we can still win two more races. So that’s what we’re focused on.”

Stewart Falls to Millican in Top Fuel

Tony Stewart, the Top Fuel regular season champion, also found himself on the losing side in a tough first-round draw.

  • First-Round Matchup: Stewart, who qualified eighth in his TSR Mobil 1 Dodge//SRT dragster, went up against veteran Clay Millican.
  • The Race: Millican’s fast 3.700 second pass overcame Stewart’s 3.774, ending the Motorsports Hall of Famer’s day prematurely.
  • Points Standings: The loss dropped Stewart to sixth in the NHRA Mission Top Fuel points standings.

"We knew Clay (Millican) was going to be a tough opponent in round one today. We just didn’t have enough for him," said Stewart. "We have two races left to try and capitalize on points and try to bring home a couple more wins.”

Zetterström Shows Promise, Advances to Quarterfinals

A positive note for the Dodge//SRT contingent came from Ida Zetterström, the 2023 FIA Top Fuel champion from Sweden. Driving the Dialight/JCM/Dodge//SRT Top Fueler, she secured a crucial first-round victory by defeating reigning world champion Antron Brown.

Zetterström's run ended in the quarterfinals in a close contest against the eventual Texas race winner, Doug Kalitta. Despite the loss, Zetterström continues to show her competitive drive on the NHRA circuit.

Focus Shifts to the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals

The TSR Dodge//SRT racers now pivot their attention to the penultimate event of the 20-race NHRA national campaign: the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection. The high-stakes action heads to the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from October 30 to November 2.

Fans can follow all the Dodge//SRT and Mopar action throughout the season at DodgeGarage.com, the one-stop portal for all drag-racing news.

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