Texas NHRA FallNationals
Texas Motorplex
Ennis, TX
October 13 - October 16, 2022
Notes of Interest:
- The Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas is the 20th race on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ 22-race schedule and it is the fourth round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) driver Leah Pruett (Top Fuel) is making her 6th appearance in the Countdown this year.
- Pruett is 11th in the Top Fuel standings heading into Dallas, 179 points behind championship leader Justin Ashley. Pruett’s best career points finish is fourth, earned three times (2018, 2019 and 2020).
- Pruett is representing Rush Truck Centers on her Top Fuel dragster at Dallas.
- Rush Truck Centers is the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in the United States with 139 locations, and takes pride in its integrated approach to customer needs – from vehicle sales to aftermarket parts, service and body shop operations, plus financing, insurance, leasing and rental, as well as alternate fuel systems and other vehicle technologies. Rush Truck Centers proudly employs 2,500 talented service technicians and they are the heartbeat of its dealerships. The company is always looking to add the best and brightest technicians to its team. Service technicians interested in looking for the next step in their careers can find additional information and listings of open positions on the Rush Enterprises Technician Careers page.
- The Texas NHRA FallNationals will be Pruett’s 191st career Top Fuel start and her eighth at Dallas.
- Pruett is seeking her first Top Fuel victory in the Texas NHRA FallNationals, as well as her first No. 1 qualifier at the event. She has earned the No. 2 qualifying position twice (2016 and 2019). Pruett won the Factory Stock Showdown at Dallas in 2018.
Leah Pruett, Driver of the Rush Truck Centers Top Fuel Dragster
With three races remaining, talk about the strides you and your team have made when you look back at the start of the season.
“We have an extremely strong core when it comes to the talented individuals working and building the car. We’ve made substantial strides in developing a tune-up for various tracks and conditions, and having a good success rate of going down the track. We’re in the current stride of segmenting our runs to pick up speed in different increments, which will equate to overall faster times and win lights.”
Texas Motorplex is awarding $15,000 in bonus money, along with qualifying bonus points, for the quickest pass on Friday night. What incentive does that add to throw down during that run?
“I would love to be able to add in some bonus money for my guys and throw down an insane number to get that top spot. It really will come down to overall strategy for the race, at that starts with Q1. If we make a good lick on the first run, we can really run the screws for Friday night. But if we find ourselves still sorting out our tune-up, then we need to be smart and make a healthy fast run to get us solidly in the show. Risk versus reward. There’s a huge field this weekend, so going low and collecting that money for the team will mean you’ve definitely done something, in addition to setting yourself up for a more ideal raceday.”
You’re running Rush Truck Centers on your Top Fuel Dragster for the first time this season. What does it mean to welcome a new partner to the NHRA?
“I most definitely have to give credit where it is due on this. Rush Truck Centers has been a partner of Tony’s (Stewart) for many years, especially with the sprint car program, so I really feel honored to continue that partnership and help the brand be exposed to an expanded market.”
Contact Ashley Wilson
True Speed Communication on behalf of Tony Stewart Racing
(303) 594-8147 or Ashley.Wilson@TrueSpeedCommunication.com
