The 37th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals concluded Sunday at Sonoma Raceway with Tony Stewart Racing’s Direct Connection Dodge//SRT® machines delivering contrasting performances that showcased both the potential and challenges facing the championship-contending operation. Against the scenic backdrop of California’s wine country, racing legends Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan demonstrated why their Top Fuel and Funny Car entries remain among the sport’s most competitive programs while experiencing a hiccup or three throughout the event.
Tony Stewart’s consistent Top Fuel performance throughout qualifying demonstrated remarkable improvement as he piloted his TSR Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster to a fifth-place starting position. Stewart qualified with a 3.700-second pass at 331.28 mph, positioning himself solidly in the top half of the field for Sunday’s eliminations against Josh Hart, who qualified in the 6th spot.
Stewart’s qualifying consistency showcased the methodical approach that has made him competitive across multiple racing disciplines. The TSR team had the car hooked up and running straight down the track for the first three rounds of qualifying. But, couldn’t find the traction needed to make a full pull in round 4. An issue that would come back to haunt them on Sunday during eliminations.
Switching over to Funny Car qualifying, Matt Hagan and his crew took what they learned last week and kept building on that momentum. The four-time NHRA world champion secured the No. 1 qualifying position with a solid 3.861-second pass at 332.59 mph in his TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat, marking a significant turnaround for the Virginia driver working with crew chief Mike Knudsen.
When asked about his qualifying performance, Hagan had this to say, “I’m still in awe over Brittany [Force’s] 343 mph run. They lowered the boom on everyone! Conditions were incredible. It was a mineshaft out there. These nitro motors like to be loaded, and we got that tonight. I’m happy for my crew chief, Mike Knudsen. Last week we got him his first race win, and I want that to continue. Everything that’s good takes time, and we’re getting there with this team.”
In the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Funny Car rounds, Ron Capps claimed the victory and bonus points by turning on the win light just .0212 seconds ahead of Hagan in one of the best drag races of the weekend. Despite not winning the bonus race, Hagan’s qualifying dominance positioned him as the favorite to take home the Wally in Sonoma, having demonstrated both speed and consistency throughout the weekend’s sessions.
Sunday’s eliminations provided a tale of contrasting results for the team. While both drivers entered elimination day with strong qualifying positions and high expectations, the unpredictable nature of NHRA competition delivered sobering lessons about the gap between qualifying performance and race-day execution.
Stewart’s promising weekend ended abruptly in the first round against Josh Hart. Despite his improved qualifying consistency, Stewart was unable to capitalize on his strong starting position, as he put the tires into orbit almost immediately and fell to Hart’s competitive 3.746-second pass. The early exit marked Stewart’s first round-one loss of the season and highlighted a slight disconnect between his qualifying speed and his elimination round performance.
The first-round loss was particularly frustrating given Stewart’s methodical approach to setup work and collaborative technical support from Hagan’s crew. Tire smoke issues that cost him the round suggest fundamental setup problems that require immediate attention as the series rolls through its halfway point and edges closer to the Countdown to the Championship.
Hagan’s elimination day showed the potential of his championship experience and No. 1 qualifying advantage. Starting against Jeff Diehl, Hagan utilized his top seed position to advance through the first two rounds successfully, demonstrating the speed and consistency that earned him pole position.However, Hagan’s championship run ended in the semifinals against Austin Prock in one of the weekend’s closest battles. Falling by the narrowest of margins with a 3.937 to Prock’s 3.927, the loss extended Prock’s perfect 8-0 record against Hagan on race day.
Despite the semifinal finish providing valuable momentum and championship points, the close loss represented a missed opportunity to capitalize on what had been a dominant qualifying performance.
Doug Kalitta and Antron Brown met in the Top Fuel final, with Brown claiming his second Sonoma victory. Austin Prock’s semifinal victory over Hagan propelled him to the Funny Car final against Bob Tasca III, where Tasca earned his second Sonoma title in three years.
The racing showcased typical Sonoma characteristics, with changing track conditions throughout the day challenging teams to adapt their setups for optimal performance. The venue’s low elevation and unique atmospheric conditions continued to separate teams with superior technical preparation from those struggling to find consistency.
Stewart’s first-round elimination represents a significant setback that requires immediate attention, but the foundation for improvement remains strong within the TSR Top Fuel program. While his qualifying improvements demonstrate growing technical understanding and the team’s fundamental competitiveness, closing the gap between practice performance and race-day execution has become the primary focus as teams prepare for playoff competition.
Stewart’s first-round loss underscores the urgency facing the Top Fuel side of TSR’s program, but the extensive experience of this crew and their technical resources position the team to make rapid corrections. With the season rolling on, the TSR operation has the expertise and resources to quickly identify whether the issues stem from car setup or a strategic approach to race-day conditions. Stewart’s perfect first-round record through the season’s first 11 events proves the team has the speed and capability—now it’s about translating that consistency to eliminations on Sunday when it matters most.
The collaborative approach between Stewart’s Top Fuel operation and Hagan’s championship-caliber Funny Car crew provides additional technical support that few teams can match, creating multiple pathways to solve the elimination round challenges before the Countdown begins.
Conversely, Hagan’s semifinal finish provided crucial momentum for his championship campaign. The No. 1 qualifying performance demonstrated that his new crew chief combination with Knudsen is finding rhythm at precisely the right time. While the semifinal loss prevented a potential victory, the weekend’s overall performance suggests the TSR Funny Car operation is positioned for playoff success.
The weekend proved particularly important as teams prepare for the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Hagan’s return to No. 1 qualifying form and strong elimination performance suggests his championship experience will be valuable in the season’s final stretch. In contrast, Stewart’s struggles with elimination indicate that urgent work is needed to keep them in the championship hunt.
Stewart’s quest to add NHRA victories to his impressive resume, spanning NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC competition, continues. However, the Sonoma weekend highlighted areas requiring immediate improvement. Hagan’s pursuit of another championship with his new crew chief shows the depth of talent within the TSR organization and promises continued competitiveness throughout the remainder of the season.
The 2025 Denso Sonoma Nationals once again proved why this venue remains one of NHRA’s most beloved stops, combining world-class racing with the scenic beauty of Northern California’s wine country. For Dodge and Tony Stewart Racing, the weekend reinforced their commitment to excellence while identifying specific areas for improvement as the championship campaign intensifies.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues with the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota, August 16-18. The track’s different characteristics will test the setup knowledge gained in California, while the approaching playoff season adds urgency to every qualifying session and elimination round.
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