Hagan Takes TSR Dodge Funny Car to NHRA Brainerd Nationals Win and Points Lead, TSR Dodge Top Fuel Driver Pruett Clocks 341 mph in Run to Semifinals Appearance

“People don't understand the 'behind the scenes' stuff with all of the day to day of preparing the cars, driving the big trucks, setting up the tents and pits, wrenching on the parts and everything involved with a team. The unsung heroes are the guys wrenching on the car. You can't be doing this without the sponsors too like American Rebel Light beer, JHG and, of course, Dodge who I have raced with for some 19 years. That is unheard of especially from an OEM. They will develop new bodies and bring new pieces to the program. It just takes everyone.”

While Hagan continued his fight for a fifth world crown, his TSR Dodge teammate Leah Pruett was making her own noise in the Top Fuel division Sunday by driving the TSR Rush Truck Centers Dodge dragster at 341.08 mph. It was Pruett’s first-time clocking over 340 mph.

Pruett, the 13-time NHRA Top Fuel winner including this year at the New England Nationals, qualified sixth at 3.756, but she stunned the packed Brainard International Raceway crowd with low elapsed time of the Top Fuel eliminations in round one with a strong 3.702 at 341.08 mph. Her win over Will Smith moved the Top Fuel veteran up against former world champion Shawn Langdon in the quarterfinals.

After an impressive 0.030 starting line light, Pruett’s mount raised the front wheels at the 330-foot mark, and she had to lift off the throttle. Despite the lack of power, Pruett was able to defeat Langdon at 4.158 to the Indiana driver’s 4.247. Entering the semifinals, the TSR crew added weight to the front of the race car as well side spoilers to help control the front end. Going against rookie Maddi Gordon, Pruett held the margin at half-track but lost at the finish line in a close content with Gordon at 3.770 to the Dodge racer’s 3.776.

Despite the semifinals defeat, Pruett remained third in the NHRA Mission Top Fuel points and secured her spot in the coveted top ten “Countdown” entering the regular season finale on Sept. 4-7 at the U.S. Nationals in Brownsburg, Indiana.

"What an eclectic weekend for our TSR Rush Truck Centers Top Fuel dragster,” said Pruett. “Off the trailer, we were No. 2 in qualifying. Then our car decided to be like one of the animals from the (Brainerd) Zoo. Very unpredictable in qualifying but we took sixth. We had to race Wil Smith in the first round of eliminations, and he is one of the best leavers in the category. We really rose to the occasion for him with 3.70 and 341. In E2, up against Shawn Langdon and we had lane choice, and the car lifted the front wheels again. At the 330 mark, if you can't drive, you can't race it. I got out of the throttle and pedaled it. I’m coasting to the finish line with no car in sight, but I could hear him coming. I had my eye on the win light, and it came on. 

“Going into the semis, we are trying to wrap our heads around what is happening with chassis. We put weight in the front and put the mud flaps on for the semis against Maddi. We had an incredible close race with Maddi. The fact we have conquered the 341 miles per hour mark proves we are learning a lot. It's a combination of conditions, torque and the back half of the run. We continue (in) our third place (spot) into the biggest drag race of the year at Indy. We’ll test this Monday to get ready.”

TSR team owner Stewart, who won the popular Winternationals in April, took his R+L Carriers/Elite Motorsports Top Fueler to the quarterfinals with a win over Josh Hart with a solid 3.726 in the first round of eliminations. In the quarterfinals, Stewart, the former NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion, lost a very close race to Gordon with a 3.751 to the rookie’s 3.740.

Hagan, Pruett and the two TSR nitro teams now moved to the 14th round of the 20-race NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series with the historic NHRA U.S. Nationals set for Sept. 4-7 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Nitro qualifying will get underway on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. EDT, followed by Saturday’s action set for 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. EDT. Sunday’s qualifying is scheduled for noon and 2:45 p.m. EDT. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT on Monday, Sept. 7. The final eliminations will be featured in two TV telecasts on Sept. 7 with the Fox Sports 1 broadcast set for noon EDT and the FOX national network starting at 2 p.m. EDT. 

For more information on NHRA, visit NHRA.com.