In the race shop this week in Brownsburg, Ind., the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro teams made a decision to become more aggressive in the final four races in the NHRA Camping World drag racing series. That theory proved successful this weekend at the NHRA Midwest Nationals, with Dodge//SRT racer Matt Hagan heading to an event win.
 
After losing races by inches at the Reading and Charlotte events the past two weeks, TSR Dodge//SRT driver Hagan made his presence known for the coveted points championships with sensational performances in the hot temperatures and a tricky track surface at the World Wide Technology Raceway drag strip near St. Louis.

For Hagan and his Dickie Venables-led crew, the NHRA Midwest Nationals was an important round in the six-race “Countdown to the Championship” with the driver of the TSR American Rebel Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car knowing a victory Sunday would put him back in the chase for his fourth NHRA World title.
 
After qualifying fifth in the 16-car field, Hagan drove his 11,000-horspower Dodge//SRT Hellcat past Alexis DeJoria, John Force and Bob Tasca III in early rounds before facing reigning World Champion Ron Capps in the final. Hagan posted the best reaction time of the day (0.029) to leave the starting line ahead of Capps and was never headed with a winning 3.991 run to Capps’ 4.025.
 
Hagan’s victory was his 48th career NHRA Funny Car win and vaulted him to just 13 points behind the points leader as the series travels to the Texas Motorplex on Oct. 13-15 for the Texas NHRA Fallnationals.
 
“We wanted to be aggressive going into these last four events,” said Hagan. “Dickie and I had a long talk about our plans to run for the championship and he said, ‘I need you to be great on the starting line,’ and I said to him, ‘I need you to be more aggressive with the race car.’ We are working hand and hand, and it worked well today. I wanted Leah to get a win today too, for a TSR double.
 
“Man, we are back in this thing for the championship, just 13 points back with third races to go. I know we are capable as a team to win another title. Beating Ron Capps in the final was big for us. I have a lot for respect for Ron, Guido (Dean Antonelli, crew chief) and that team. And beating them is a big win for us.”
 
Venables knew the Midwest Nationals race was a critical stop for the TSR team and a win was almost mandatory to get back in the World Championship fight.
 
“We knew coming here that we needed a win,” said Venables. “It was a very tricky track here this weekend and we did a great job managing it. Hagan did a super job all weekend driving, and I can’t say enough about the guys who work on this car. They work their hearts out and give us a flawless setup every round. We are excited with this win.”

MidWest Nationals FC Class Racing Summary

WIN: Matt Hagan 3.991 secs 324.90 mph (Career win #48)
R/UP: Ron Capps – 4.025 secs 306.88 mph
Low ET: Bob Tasca III – 3.852 secs
Top MPH: Bob Tasca III – 331.85 mph
Bump: 4.173 secs
Entries – 18 cars

Posted with files by Tom Blattler & Bruce Biegler
Photos courtesy of NHRA & Auto Imagery