The 2026 Tony Stewart Racing update brings exciting news, as Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan, the NHRA Dodge nitro team drivers, have unveiled a preview of their bold new Dodge livery in anticipation of the NHRA Gatornationals, set for March 5-8 in Gainesville, Florida. As the season opener draws near, the team faces major returns, high ambitions, and fast-changing partnerships, signaling an intense year for drag racing fans.
With less than a month remaining before racing returns to Gainesville, anticipation is high within Tony Stewart Racing (TSR). The updated Dodge race car graphics set the tone for an aggressive approach in the high-stakes NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series, where tradition, technology, and competitive spirit power each run down the strip.
Leah Pruett Returns After Hiatus with New Dodge Top Fuel Dragster
After stepping away from competition for two seasons to welcome her and Tony Stewart’s son, Dominic, Leah Pruett returns with renewed energy and focus. Known for her twelve NHRA Top Fuel event wins and narrowly missing the 2023 Top Fuel championship, Pruett is eager to reclaim her place among the sport’s elite. She will campaign an all-new TSR Dodge Top Fuel Dragster, with refreshed graphics aligning with Dodge’s latest performance identity.
Pruett described her anticipation and the emotional process of returning after a lengthy break:
“I’m very excited to get back in the car for the 2026 season,”
said California native Pruett.
“Last year, I wanted to make sure I still had a passion to race after sitting out two years. After giving birth to Dominic and then being a mom for a year, I really wasn’t sure if I had the competitive level or should I sit out another year. So, we had a handful of tests. It was really the first time I was out of a race car since I began Junior Dragsters at age 8. But I’m ready to go.”
— Leah Pruett, NHRA Top Fuel Driver
Her return not only carries personal significance but also bolsters the TSR lineup as the organization seeks championship contention in 2026.
Tony Stewart Steps Into New Roles While Maintaining Leadership
Tony Stewart, renowned for collecting series titles in NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC, served as Pruett’s replacement driver during the 2024 and 2025 Top Fuel seasons. He earned two event wins and clinched the 2025 Top Fuel regular season points championship, asserting his adaptability across racing disciplines. Stewart will compete in the Top Fuel class for Elite Motorsports in 2026, stepping into a newly competitive arena while continuing to guide TSR as team owner.
Beyond drag racing, Stewart will also rejoin NASCAR at Daytona, representing Ram Truck and Kaulig Racing. This marks Ram’s significant return to the stock car scene, and Stewart will serve as the inaugural participant in Ram’s Free Agent initiative, developed for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. His diverse pursuits reflect both his ongoing influence and the deep connections forged across motorsports’ major series and teams.
Matt Hagan Pursues Another Title with Dodge
Matt Hagan continues to cement his place in NHRA history, bringing 55 career victories, all in Dodge Funny Cars, into his 19th season. In 2025, Hagan took his 12,000-horsepower TSR Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car to three victories (Seattle, St. Louis, and Las Vegas) and secured a runner-up finish in the championship standings. As a four-time NHRA world Funny Car champion, Hagan remains focused on delivering more wins and pushing for another title for Dodge and TSR.
Hagan voiced his appreciation for team stability and his determination entering the new season:
“I have driven a Dodge Funny Car for my entire NHRA career, and I want to put the Dodge machine in the winner’s circle and take another championship for them and all of our TSR sponsors,”
— Matt Hagan, Four-time NHRA Champion
“Without them we couldn’t do what we love to do, and that is win races and championships. I know we’ll be ready to go right out of the box at Gainesville.”
— Matt Hagan, Four-time NHRA Champion
NHRA Gatornationals Open 2026 Racing Calendar in Gainesville
The 2026 NHRA Gatornationals, held from March 5-8 in Gainesville, Florida, will mark a dramatic return for both Pruett and Hagan as they debut their new Dodge liveries under the TSR banner. Qualifying will consist of two runs on both Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, setting up the field for final eliminations on Sunday, March 8. The event promises fierce competition as established stars, rising talents, and storied brands all vie for supremacy at this pivotal season opener.
The Gatornationals aren’t just a test of teams and machines, but a tradition-laden highlight on the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series schedule, with fans and drivers alike primed for electrifying, high-speed contests on the iconic Gainesville track.
Dodge: New Performance Lineup Supports Racing Ambitions
For 112 years, Dodge has embodied the spirit and innovation initiated by brothers John and Horace Dodge. The brand’s latest high-performance models provide the foundation for the on-track success of teams like Tony Stewart Racing and drivers like Hagan and Pruett.
The next-generation Dodge Charger lineup includes a 550-horsepower Scat Pack powered by the 3.0L Twin Turbo SIXPACK high-output engine, as well as a 420-horsepower Charger R/T with all-wheel drive and the highest entry-level horsepower among muscle cars. Leading the electric frontier is the 670-horsepower Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, which stands as the quickest and most powerful all-electric muscle car globally. Charger models offer both two-door coupe and four-door sedan options, underscoring Dodge’s core value of performance through choice.
Additionally, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, now available nationwide, is recognized as the fastest American gas-powered SUV, with a 710-horsepower supercharged HEMI V-8 under its hood. Its latest variant, the Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak, expands personalization with millions of potential combinations. The lineup also features the industry’s most affordable AWD V-8 SUV, the 360-horsepower Durango GT HEMI AWD.
These advancements in Dodge’s production vehicles reflect the brand’s ongoing commitment to bringing racing heritage and new technologies to both racetracks and roads nationwide, a vision shared by Stellantis, Dodge’s parent company.
Mopar: Expanding Performance and Customer Support
Mopar, the global name for Stellantis’s genuine parts and accessories, continues to evolve from its roots in the 1930s to its current status as a leader in performance upgrades, technical service, and customer care. Through ongoing support and parts innovation, Mopar remains vital to racing teams and individual drivers alike, helping to power success both in competition and ownership.
Since establishing its mark in the muscle-car boom of the 1960s with performance and technical expertise, Mopar now integrates all facets of customer care, dealer support, and authentic performance solutions for enthusiasts worldwide, ensuring that brands like Dodge and teams like Tony Stewart Racing have the resources to compete at the highest level.
Where Fans Can Follow the Action
Supporters eager to keep pace with the Tony Stewart Racing update, Dodge’s continued innovations, and the electrifying NHRA season can access content on the @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel, which features highlights of Dodge//SRT Mopar teams, drivers, and stars of the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series, including grassroots competition such as Factory Stock Showdown, Stock, and Super Stock classes.
For news, event coverage, and more, DodgeGarage serves as a central hub for all things Dodge//SRT and Mopar drag racing, delivering daily updates, digital galleries, and access to race headquarters.
Outlook for the 2026 Season
The Tony Stewart Racing update highlights a period of renewal, legacy, and unyielding competition as the team prepares for the 2026 NHRA campaign. With Leah Pruett’s emotional return, Matt Hagan’s drive for another championship, and Tony Stewart’s multifaceted commitments that include new partnerships in NASCAR, the TSR organization aims to leave a significant mark on both drag racing and the broader motorsports scene. As the 2026 Gatornationals approach, all eyes turn to Gainesville, where tradition and innovation will collide at breakneck speed.
