NHRA’s race at Indianapolis last weekend was building to another all DSR/Mopar climatic conclusion….before rain forced a deferment.

Another national event Funny Car win was within sight as the second All-Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat final round showdown in as many weeks had Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) teammates Matt Hagan and Jack Beckman set to go head-to-head at the Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals, when the skies opened up above the Indianapolis drag strip and spoiled the day.

Matt Hagan looks very much “in charge” driving his special edition Redeye Hellcat while pursuing a 2nd consecutive NHRA event win.

Hagan, coming off an event win last week in another all-Mopar final against teammate Tommy Johnson Jr., worked his way through eliminations after qualifying 13^th and was headed back into a battle for the Wally trophy with a new red, black, and chrome SRT Hellcat Redeye livery. For his part, after qualifying sixth, Beckman was poised for his 66^th career and third final round appearance in four races this season, and was looking to add to the pair of wins he already had under his seatbelt in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

Jack Beckman (far lane) has advanced too to the event’s fuel FC final which has now been deferred to during September’s NHRA U.S. Nationals event.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Mello Yello Drag Racing Series has rescheduled the rained-out final to take place during the U.S. Nationals Sept. 3-6., at Lucas Oil Raceway.

To get to the finals, Hagan defeated DSR teammate Ron Capps, JR Todd and (event low qualifier) Bob Tasca, while Beckman sent Chad Green, Tim Wilkerson and DSR teammate Johnson Jr. home early.

No. 2 qualifier, Johnson Jr. began his day with wins over Bob Bode and Cruz Pedregon for a semifinal round match against Beckman. Johnson, who earned a Wally at Phoenix earlier this year, had the early lead but saw his 4.027 second run overshadowed by Beckman’s 3.969 to move on to the final. Johnson however remains second to Beckman in the Funny Car standings.

Tommy Johnson Jr., after qualifying on the pole the previous weekend was Q#2 this week and went to the semifinals.

The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat of Ron Capps had a solid qualifying performance that put the DSR driver No.4 on the ladder and gave him lane choice over his first round opponent. Unfortunately, for a second week in a row, that first round pairing was against a DSR teammate and last week’s race winner, Hagan. While Capps’ 3.967-sec./ 324.59-mph run was the third quickest of the round, it wasn’t enough to oust Hagan and his 3.931 sec/321.58 mph effort.

After beating back a + COVID test — Bob Tasca III returned to driving and qualified #1 in the Motorcraft Ford Mustang hitting 3.991 secs. He was however knocked out of completion in the semifinals by Matt Hagan.

Event Essentials:   NHRA Lucas Oil Summernationals  (July 18-19, 2020) 

Texan Chad Green — who also races in Pro Modified — made his fuel FC class debut at Indy. He qualified #11 (4.233 secs) before losing out in round one.

Posted with files by Pat Caporali and Bruce Biegler

Photos by Dave DeAngelis 

More fuel Funny Car photos from this race can be viewed at LMLCMedia gallery:  HERE