Dodge Funny Car and Top Fuel Teams Roll into Arizona for NHRA Desert Showdown

Following an action-packed start to the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Dodge-backed teams now head west for the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, March 20-22.

The second event of the 2026 NHRA season brings the sport’s top competitors to the desert for a weekend of nitro-powered competition as teams look to build momentum early in the championship chase.

Building on the Season Opener

The season-opening NHRA Gatornationals delivered plenty of excitement as the Dodge contingent opened the year battling against the best in the sport. With one race completed, teams now shift their focus to Arizona, where track conditions and desert temperatures will present a new set of challenges for drivers and crews.

For Dodge racers, the Arizona Nationals represent the next opportunity to turn early-season progress into strong qualifying performances and elimination-round success.

Pruett Continues Top Fuel Campaign

Leah Pruett returns to action in the Tony Stewart Racing Dodge//SRT^® Top Fuel dragster, continuing her campaign in one of the NHRA’s most competitive categories.

Pruett has consistently proven herself as one of the sport’s top drivers, and she enters the Arizona Nationals focused on building momentum as the season begins to take shape. Firebird Motorsports Park has historically produced quick runs and dramatic racing, providing another opportunity for the TSR team to showcase the performance of its Dodge Direct Connection-powered machine.

Hagan Leads Dodge Funny Car Effort

In Funny Car, three-time NHRA world champion Matt Hagan will once again pilot the Tony Stewart Racing Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

Hagan remains one of the most accomplished drivers in the category, and his experience makes him a constant threat on race day. As the season continues in Arizona, the veteran driver and his team will be looking to add another strong performance to their early-season results.

Pedregon, Green Represent Dodge in Funny Car

Dodge representation in the Funny Car ranks continues with two-time NHRA Funny Car world champion Cruz Pedregon, who brings decades of experience and a proven record of success to every race weekend.

Pedregon’s ability to navigate the challenges of race day eliminations makes him a perennial contender whenever the Funny Car field takes to the track.

Also carrying the Dodge banner is Hunter Green, who continues to gain valuable experience competing at the highest level of NHRA Funny Car competition. Green represents the next generation of drivers in the category and will look to capitalize on every opportunity as the season progresses.

Desert Action Awaits

With the Arizona Nationals set to deliver another weekend of high-speed action, Dodge drivers will look to turn the lessons learned in Gainesville into strong results in Arizona.

As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues its early-season swing, the Dodge lineup will once again aim to demonstrate the performance and competitive spirit that have long defined the brand’s presence in drag racing.

Fans can follow Dodge drivers throughout the 2026 NHRA season on the DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel and right here on DodgeGarage.