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Pruett and Hagan Gear Up for NHRA Eastern Swing Stop at New England Dragway
Highlights
- NHRA New England Nationals is second race in Eastern Swing series.
- Leah Pruett pursues first 2026 win with Dodge // SRT Hellcat team.
- Matt Hagan seeks second 2026 victory, leads four wins at New England.
- Qualifying rounds occur Friday and Saturday; eliminations start Sunday 11 a.m.
- FOX Sports 1 airs qualifying; FOX broadcasts Sunday elimination rounds.
- Race pivotal for drivers aiming to improve season standings.
The NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway headline the second stop of the Eastern Swing, offering a pivotal mid-season checkpoint for Top Fuel and Funny Car contenders.
Leah Pruett and the Dodge // SRT Hellcat Top Fuel team target their first 2026 victory. Her baseline is strong, with four semi-final appearances in seven starts and an Arizona runner-up.
Pruett is a 12-time NHRA winner, yet still pursues a first Epping triumph. Her qualifying record is potent here, with No. 1 starts in 2017 and 2018.
Track conditions in Epping often swing day-to-day, demanding adaptability in clutch setup and power management. That contrasts with Maryland’s steadier environment and tight turnaround between events.
Pruett arrives off a semi-final at the inaugural Potomac Nationals, maintaining a perfect first-round record this season.
In Funny Car, Matt Hagan chases a second 2026 win after a rare first-round loss in Maryland to Austin Prock. He sits fourth in points, 47 off the lead and seven from third.
Hagan owns four New England Dragway wins, including a 2017–2019 hat-trick.
Hagan’s Epping form is commanding. He won three straight from 2017 to 2019 and again in 2022, with No. 1 qualifiers in 2018, 2021, and 2022, reinforcing strong baseline confidence.
His season momentum remains credible after extending a 14-year streak of at least one win by taking the Wally at the Winternationals in Southern California. New parts debut this weekend to reset performance.
The weekend features four qualifying sessions, split across Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m., placing a premium on overnight tuning choices.
Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m., with coverage on FOX following FS1 qualifying broadcasts.
Fans can watch qualifying on FOX Sports 1 on Friday and Saturday, with final eliminations on FOX. The broadcast cadence mirrors the series’ mid-season rhythm.
This event is central to the three-race Eastern Swing. Strong execution here can recast standings ahead of summer. For wider context, see the NHRA Midwest Nationals FOX coverage.
Pruett has four semi-final appearances in seven races, underlining consistent race-day execution.
Round two of the Eastern Swing raises the stakes for teams chasing momentum and points security.
Visual Summary
?12x
Leah Pruett
Top Fuel
⭐⭐ at Epping
(2017, 2018)
?4x @ Epping
Matt Hagan
Funny Car
14 ? seasons
4th in 2026 pts
?
NHRA New England Nationals 2026
Points Battle Intensifies ?
Race Weekend Flow
⏱️
Qualifying: Fri PM & Sat PM
Eliminations: Sun 11am
Eliminations: Sun 11am
FOX Sports 1 & FOX Network
What’s At Stake?
Eastern Swing Midpoint
Critical points. Win here = momentum!
Wildcard: Weather
?️
Unpredictable Epping conditions
Prep & adaptability = key
4 / 7
Leah’s semifinal appearances
(2026 Top Fuel)
(2026 Top Fuel)
4 ?
Hagan’s wins at Epping
(most in pro class)
(most in pro class)
-47
Hagan’s gap to series leader
(and -7 to 3rd)
(and -7 to 3rd)
Undefeated
Leah in 1st rounds (2026)
all 7 races
all 7 races
Pruett & Hagan charge up the Epping ‘mountain’ for NHRA points, as wild weather & personal bests set the stage for New England thunder.
Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.
