CHARLOTTE, N.C. — — Tony Stewart will return to the Fox broadcast sales space for the elimination rounds Sunday of the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

The NASCAR Corridor of Famer and first-year NHRA crew proprietor will probably be within the sales space for the second consecutive race and the NHRA’s playoff opener, which fits head-to-head Sunday with the NFL. Stewart, who has referred to as a number of NASCAR races for Fox over the previous few years, labored the U.S. Nationals in his NHRA broadcasting debut.

“Drawing from his expertise as a Corridor of Fame driver, a crew and monitor proprietor, and the relationships he has with among the largest names within the enterprise, Tony has a singular perspective and might discuss to just about any facet of racing with perception and credibility,” mentioned Frank Wilson, FOX Sports activities VP Occasion & Studio Manufacturing.

The U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis drew 840,000 viewers throughout Monday’s elimination rounds with Stewart within the sales space. It marked a rise of practically 10% from final yr’s Fox broadcast of the race.

That leads into the playoff opener at Maple Grove Raceway, which additionally finishes off a string of eight of 9 NHRA occasions showing on Fox. NHRA Vice President of Broadcasting Steve Reintjes lauded Stewart’s chemistry with analysts Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon.

“Tony Stewart’s addition to the U.S. Nationals broadcast proved to be a terrific success. It was instantly clear that he possesses a next-level ardour and data of NHRA drag racing, which seamlessly translated through the broadcast,” Reintjes mentioned.

Stewart additionally may have two groups competing this weekend. His spouse, Leah Pruett, competes within the High Gas division, and Matt Hagan competes in Humorous Automobile for first-year NHRA crew Tony Stewart Racing. Hagan, a three-time world champ, opens the Countdown to the Championship in third within the standings. Pruett, who received in Denver this yr, is ranked seventh.

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