Tony Stewart Racing is set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dodge’s legendary Direct Connection performance parts brand in grand style this week at the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals. Both Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan will showcase special Mopar Direct Connection liveries on their Top Fuel and Funny Car machines, paying homage to the rich history of Direct Connection with a striking red, white, and blue throwback design. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion unveiled the cars on the Pat McAfee Show Thursday on ESPN.
Stewart, a motorsports icon known for his achievements in NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC, will make his Top Fuel debut at the sport’s most prestigious event, at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, a mere hour from where he grew up. Stewart’s TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT dragster will carry the commemorative livery as he looks to build on his seventh-place ranking in the NHRA Mission Top Fuel standings, following a runner-up finish at the Sonoma Nationals. Stewart’s return to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, where he has previously won in various other racing disciplines, adds another layer of excitement to this milestone celebration.
Hagan will also sport the special 50th-anniversary livery on his TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car. With 51 career national event wins and a strong record at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Hagan enters the U.S. Nationals as a top contender, currently sitting third in the NHRA Funny Car points standings.
“I’m very excited to have two really cool paint schemes on both my car and Matt’s car. We’re both going to be proud to represent Dodge and the Direct Connection 50th anniversary, so I think we’re both going to be really excited to have a new cool paint scheme to support. The U.S. Nationals is the biggest race of the year for drag racing and it’s a home race for us personally. I put a lot of pressure on us to win for Dodge and all of our sponsors. The focus is just going to be having a great weekend and winning that Wally trophy.”
“It’s really cool to be able to commemorate Direct Connection’s 50th anniversary,” said Hagan. “Their whole group is great. We’re really excited to be able to fly a new scheme for them. We always have a great time doing it and they make it fun for us. Hopefully the new scheme is fast. Hopefully, we can get them the…
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