Matt Hagan drove his Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Dodge Charger R/T to a memorable title win at the 30th annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Nationals at Reading, Pennsylvania’s Maple Grove Raceway, as well as the points lead in the “Countdown to the Championship” with just two national events left in the six-event playoff series.

The title win was Hagan’s first at Reading, a second in the playoffs, his third of the season and the lucky number 13th of his career as evidenced by turning the win lights on while crossing the finish line in a fireball.

“It is just a wild way to win,” said Hagan, who took a 36 point lead over 16-time NHRA Champion John Force with the title victory. “That’s probably the wildest way I’ve ever won out here on the NHRA circuit. Getting the points lead is huge but we showed up here to win a race. The points lead can change but these Wally [trophies] don’t, so we did what we set out to do this morning and that was turn on four win lights.”

“Congratulations to Matt Hagan from everyone at Mopar on another big win and the points lead in the Countdown,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “What a great way to show everyone that the 50 year legacy of the HEMI continues to live on by winning playoff races and making Mopar a serious contender for this year’s NHRA championship once again.”

Hagan began his race day assault with a 4.035-second elapsed time pass at 319.37 miles per hour with a solo run on his first lap after Tony Pedregon couldn’t get his Funny Car started. He then beat his DSR teammate Jack Beckman with a 4.039/315.05 while his opponent lost traction. In the semifinal match up against Alexis DeJoria, Hagan used a holeshot and a 4.043/319.60 pass to reach the strip ahead of a quicker 4.043/319.64 to advance to his third final round appearance of the playoffs.

In an exciting all-Mopar final, DSR teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. lost traction early as Hagan’s Rocky Boots Mopar powered past before his fiery finish.

(Tommy Johnson Jr placed FC runner-up)

“The guys did a great job today,” said Hagan. “Our guys, they are busting their humps out here and they didn’t make any mistakes. They’re flawless. You can’t have mistakes in the Countdown and they aren’t making them. I’m grateful to have a great racecar underneath me.

With his runner-up finish, Tommy Johnson Jr. moved his DSR Make-A-Wish Mopar into fourth place behind rivals John Force and Courtney Force who both suffered shocking first round upsets.

Event Essentials:  NHRA Nationals (Oct. 3-5th) Reading PA

(Canadian Jeff Arend had a strong “final four” finish at Maple Grove)

Class newcomer John Bojec qualified on the bump at 5.029 secs.

Posted by:  Pat Caporali

Photos by:  Bruce Biegler