Tony Stewart aims for NHRA victory at Epping as he returns to New Hampshire with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) for the New England Nationals, determined to build on recent success and maintain his lead in the Top Fuel standings. With Stewart and his teammate Matt Hagan competing in this seventh event of the season, TSR seeks both another win and redemption at the historic New England Dragway.
TSR sets sights high for New England Nationals in Epping
Tony Stewart Racing approaches the 2025 NHRA New England Nationals at Epping, New Hampshire, backed by solid momentum and ambitious goals. Stewart, piloting the Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster, and Matt Hagan, steering the Funny Car, seek to capitalize on their progress this season. The stop in Epping marks the seventh event on the 20-race NHRA calendar, and anticipation is high within the team.
Stewart arrives in New Hampshire as the Top Fuel points leader, thanks to a strong start that included his second win of the campaign at the Route 66 Nationals in Chicago. Through the first six races of the season, Stewart has consistently performed at a high level, reaching four consecutive final rounds and amassing a 12-2 win-loss record. This event marks his second Top Fuel appearance at New England Dragway, after advancing to the second round here in 2024.
Meanwhile, Matt Hagan enters Epping with a remarkable record at this venue. With four victories and three No. 1 qualifying positions, Hagan holds the distinction of being the most successful driver in the history of the New England event. Their collective achievements position Tony Stewart Racing as a formidable force heading into the weekend.
Stewart reflects on progress and future goals
Before the race weekend, Stewart took a measured approach, acknowledging that while the team is celebrating their achievements so far, more work lies ahead. Referencing their drive for improvement, he stated:
“We realize that it’s great to win the race and it’s great to have the points lead, but at the same time, we know that we still have work to do. Our focus going into Epping is to just continue to try to improve our program… We’re just going to keep pushing forward and keep putting in the hard work.”
—Tony Stewart, Team Owner/Driver
Stewart’s motorsport background is one of remarkable breadth and success, spanning open-wheel, stock car, and drag racing competition. The driver known as “Smoke” first captured the motorsport world’s attention with the 1997 IndyCar Series title, before embarking on a decorated NASCAR career. His NASCAR tenure brought three driver championships and an additional owner’s title in 2014 with Stewart-Haas Racing, underlining his status as one of racing’s most versatile and accomplished figures.
Tony Stewart addresses past regrets and personal growth
In a recent episode of The Kenny Conversation podcast, hosted by Kenny Wallace, Stewart reflected on his evolution not just as a competitor but as a person. During a candid discussion, Stewart admitted that his resolute focus on racing and the pursuit of victory sometimes led him to lose sight of how he treated those around him.
“I was so intense with racing. I was so on edge all the time. There were a lot of things I didn’t like about NASCAR. A lot of things I didn’t like how they did things. I didn’t like how a lot of it was done. But while I was there, I mean, all I cared about was winning racism. What we had to do, and I was not a good person to people. I just wasn’t,”
he said [00:50]. —Tony Stewart, Driver/Owner
Stewart acknowledged that, despite his on-track triumphs, he would choose to focus more on kindness and relationships if given another chance. He admitted that his single-minded attitude, though effective for achieving results, often came at the cost of personal connections during his NASCAR tenure.
Looking ahead to Epping and beyond
As the NHRA season moves into its seventh round, Tony Stewart’s leadership at TSR and his honesty about both triumphs and shortcomings add depth to his pursuit of another Top Fuel win. Stewart’s determination to advance, paired with the established success of teammate Matt Hagan at New England Dragway, positions TSR as a leading contender. The team’s ongoing efforts for improvement will resonate as they aim for both redemption and victory at Epping, sparking anticipation for how the rest of their season will unfold.
