NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Tony Stewart Racing will honor the 50th anniversary of the birth of Direct Connection, the legendary Dodge performance parts brand, at the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals with special red, white, and blue livery at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

The TSR nitro team brings the unique “throwback” design with motorsports legend Tony Stewart in the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster and four-time NHRA world champion Matt Hagan in the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car.

“Dodge couldn’t ask for better brand ambassadors than racing legend Tony Stewart and four-time NHRA world champion Matt Hagan carrying throwback Direct Connection 50th colors at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, the most prestigious race on the NHRA schedule,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge brand CEO – Stellantis. "It’s a testament that 50 years after the introduction of Direct Connection, the Dodge performance parts brand still stands strong as the go-to source for go-fast parts on both the street and strip.”

Stewart, who replaced his wife Leah Pruett in the team’s Top Fuel dragster this year as the pair prepares to start a family, makes his professional debut at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, as the Indiana driver ranks seventh in the current NHRA Mission Top Fuel point standings. The racer known as Smoke returns to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park after many national victories on the track’s paved oval.

 “I’m very excited to have two really cool paint schemes on both my car and Matt’s car,” said Stewart. “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.”