The NHRA Northwest Nationals Seattle takes place from July 18-20 at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, marking the first stop of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ Western Swing. Nitro qualifying sessions will run on Friday, July 18, with the first session beginning at 9:15 p.m. PDT and the second at 12:30 p.m. PDT, both streamed live on NHRA.TV. Nitro eliminations follow on Sunday, July 20, starting at 10:30 a.m. PDT with subsequent rounds leading into the finals at 3:30 p.m. PDT, all available for viewing on NHRA.TV.
Fans can also catch television coverage on FS1 and FOX. Saturday’s qualifying show airs at 10 p.m. PDT on FS1, with a recap of qualifying and action from Saturday presented Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. PDT. The finals show is scheduled for Sunday, July 20, at 4:30 p.m. PDT on FOX.
Significance and Championship Context of the NHRA Northwest Nationals
The NHRA Northwest Nationals holds importance as the 11th event on a 20-race NHRA calendar and kicks off the second half of the season. It precedes the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway in California, which runs from July 25-27. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) will field two prominent entries: Tony Stewart in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car.
Coming into the Seattle race, Tony Stewart leads the Top Fuel standings by 52 points over Shawn Langdon. Matt Hagan is currently fifth in the Funny Car points, 222 behind leader Austin Prock. Direct Connection serves as the main sponsor for both drivers, providing performance parts and technical support tailored to muscle car enthusiasts.
Stewart and Hagan’s Track Records and Season Goals at Pacific Raceways
Tony Stewart is preparing for his 31st Top Fuel start and his second at Pacific Raceways. He aims to capture his first NHRA Northwest Nationals victory and achieve his first No. 1 qualifier status at this event. Last year Stewart qualified tenth and recorded an 8.907 second elapsed time at 84.70 mph in the first elimination round, ultimately falling to Jasmine Salinas, who posted an impressive 3.777 ET at 330.31 mph.
Matt Hagan brings extensive experience with 363 career Funny Car starts and 15 appearances at Pacific Raceways. His highlight at this event was winning in 2013 with a 4.171 ET at 294.75 mph, defeating Bob Tasca III. Hagan also claimed a No. 1 qualifier in 2018 with a 3.913 ET at 324.75 mph.
The NHRA Northwest Nationals will feature a fourth qualifying round for the second year running, offering fans the unique spectacle of watching nitro Funny Cars and Top Fuel Dragsters compete under the lights on Friday evening.
Additional Competitions and Fan Engagement Opportunities
Following strong performances at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, both Hagan and Stewart earned spots in the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Matt Hagan will compete against Cruz Pedregon while Tony Stewart faces a rematch with Clay Millican. Fans can meet both drivers during an autograph session on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. PDT at the Mission Foods tent on the midway.
Tony Stewart Discusses Team Progress and Race Expectations
Tony Stewart, piloting the TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster, reflected on the season ahead, emphasizing a commitment to rebound from recent difficult events in Norwalk and Virginia. He expressed optimism about racing at Seattle and Sonoma, citing better track conditions and grip compared to prior heat challenges.
“We’ll get an opportunity to go fast again, so I’m looking to rebound from two tough races that still produced great results but had struggles to get there. I really enjoyed being in Seattle last year. We just really struggled with the race car at that event, so I feel like we’re in a way better spot going into Seattle than where we were a year ago. We just have to stay the course right now.”
—Tony Stewart, Driver of TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster
Stewart also highlighted the consistency of the team reaching semifinals and advancing past the first round in all ten events this season, instilling confidence within the group despite past setbacks.
He reiterated the importance of maintaining focus and completing the work necessary to continue strong results, noting the team is now fully replenished with the parts damaged during previous explosions and ready to perform at full strength.
“The good thing is we’re restocked with parts and pieces that we’ve hurt the last couple of events and we’re back at full strength and ready to rip, so hopefully we’ll have a great weekend again.”
—Tony Stewart, Driver of TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster
Matt Hagan Reflects on Momentum and Team Development
Matt Hagan, driving the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car, described the confidence gained from reaching the finals at Norwalk. Despite some recent first-round exits due to testing new setups, a return to their initial configurations allowed the team to find early-season winning form again.
“Mike, Phil (Shuler – co-crew chief), and Alex (Conaway – car chief) have all been stepping up. Wins are right around the corner, and I feel like we can get it done in the next couple races.”
—Matt Hagan, Driver of TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car
Hagan emphasized the tough competitive field, acknowledging Austin Prock as a formidable opponent in the finals and highlighting the strong matchups en route to the final round, including victories over J.R. Todd and Jack Beckman.
Looking ahead, Hagan expressed excitement for the Western Swing despite the absence of Denver on the schedule, welcoming the news of land being purchased for a new track in that area. He confessed the desire to sweep the swing in the future and remains focused on pushing through the season’s final four races before the Countdown playoff.
“As long as I do my job on the tree, things will keep going the way they need to. I’m looking forward to the second half of the season.”
—Matt Hagan, Driver of TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car
Impact and Outlook for the NHRA Northwest Nationals Seattle
The NHRA Northwest Nationals represents a critical juncture in the 2024 season, as Stewart and Hagan aim to solidify their standings and build momentum heading into the Countdown races. Both drivers carry passionate followings and strong team support, with strategic goals to overcome recent challenges and capitalize on their experience at Pacific Raceways.
With an expanded qualifying schedule and side events like the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, this race weekend promises high-intensity competition and exciting fan engagement opportunities. Stewart’s quest for his first Northwest Nationals win and Hagan’s aim to return to the winner’s circle highlight the vibrant determination fueling the TSR team as they take on Seattle’s fast track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What does NHRA stand for?
A. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) ranks as the second biggest organization overseeing drag racing in North America, following the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
Q. What does an NHRA stand for?
A. The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) was founded by Wally Parks in 1951. Today, it’s the biggest auto racing organization worldwide. Despite its growth into an international sports business, NHRA still focuses on Parks’ initial aim: giving racers a place to compete.
Q. What does the NHRA stand for?
A. NHRA stands for National Hot Rod Association. It was started in 1951 to move hot-rodders from streets to safer places. Now, NHRA is the biggest group organizing motorsports and is the top drag racing promoter globally.
