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Tony Stewart Advances To Semifinals At NHRA Virginia Nationals, Maintains Top Fuel Points Lead
The NHRA Virginia Nationals presented challenging conditions for Dodge//SRT racers Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan. With air temperatures reaching 93 degrees and the track surface hitting 147 degrees, the event at Virginia Motorsports Park was tough for all competitors. Stewart's 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster struggled in qualifying, placing him 14th. However, adjustments by his crew led to a first-round victory against top qualifier Brittany Force.
Despite the intense heat, Stewart managed to advance to the semifinals, marking his ninth consecutive quarterfinal appearance. He faced Shawn Langdon in the semifinals but left the starting line too early, resulting in a loss. Nevertheless, Stewart remains the Top Fuel points leader by 32 points as they head to Norwalk, Ohio, from June 27-29.
Matt Hagan, a four-time NHRA World Funny Car champion and Stewart’s teammate, also faced tough competition. In his Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car, he lost a close first-round race against rookie Hunter Green. Despite qualifying sixth in the field with a time of 4.088 seconds compared to Green's 4.064 seconds, Hagan remains in the top five of the Funny Car standings.
Reflecting on his performance, Hagan said, "One of the positive takeaways from this weekend is that we qualified in the top half of the field." He acknowledged that while they have been trying different cars recently, their focus remains on racing effectively against both competitors and track conditions.
The upcoming NHRA Summit Racing Nationals will see Stewart and Hagan back in action with their TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT vehicles. The event promises large crowds and intense competition as part of the 20-race NHRA Mission tour. Qualifying rounds are scheduled for June 27-28 with final eliminations on June 29.
Stewart expressed determination despite his semifinal loss: "It was a tough weekend overall... I’m proud that our American Rebel Light Dodge//SRT team made it to the semifinals again." His focus remains on maintaining their winning streak as they prepare for future races.
Dodge's Performance Legacy
Dodge continues its legacy as a performance brand with vehicles like the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack and other high-performance models. The brand’s commitment to speed and power is evident through its lineup of muscle cars and SUVs designed for enthusiasts worldwide.
Mopar supports this legacy by offering genuine parts and accessories globally. Since its inception in 1937, Mopar has evolved into a symbol of quality service and performance enhancement for both road use and racing enthusiasts.
The NHRA Summit Racing Nationals will feature telecasts on Fox Sports 1 and FOX Network during qualifying rounds and final eliminations respectively. Fans can follow all NHRA action through various platforms including Instagram where @DodgeMoparMotorsports shares content from races across different series.
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