A formidable and familiar name moved back to the top again after NHRA racing at the Brainerd Nationals (in Minnesota).

4X Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan moved into the points lead, defeating Jordan Vandergriff in the final round at the 13th of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Hagan went 3.946-seconds at 320.13 mph in his American Rebel Light Beer Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car to power past Vandergriff and win for the third time this season for Tony Stewart Racing.

It is Hagan’s 58th career win and second at Brainerd, and the triumph in the final round sent him to the top of the loaded Funny Car category.

Hagan was incredibly consistent on raceday, reaching the finals after defeating Jim Campbell, Chad Green and Austin Prock. Hagan went 3.94 in the final three rounds, including the finals when he quickly drove past Vandergriff, who slowed to a 4.038.

The standout started the weekend fifth in points but ended as the points leader in the ultra-competitive Funny Car class. Heading to Indy, Hagan will have a seven-point lead over Vandergriff, with Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Jack Beckman all close behind. Capps is just 12 points back, with Todd and Beckman 22 and 74 points behind, respectively.

“We definitely could have bracket-raced this car this weekend. It just shows what our team is capable of,” Hagan stated.  “Everybody is just working hard and doing what they’re supposed to do. As I was doing the burnout and backing up, it gave me chills, man. The fans were packed in here. NHRA is doing a great job promoting our sport, and our sport is growing every day.”

Vandergriff, who qualified No. 1, reached the finals for the third time this season thanks to victories against Alexis DeJoria and J.R. Todd.

Mission Foods Saturday Special!

For Funny Car — J.R. Todd collected the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at BIR defeating back-to-back world champion Austin Prock on a holeshot and a run of 3.938 at 321.88 in his DHL Toyota GR Supra.

Todd had beaten Matt Hagan in the first round for the elite 4-car competition.

For JR Todd this was his 8th career win within the popular specialty race attraction.

NHRA Brainerd Nationals – Funny Car Class Summary

WIN: Matt Hagan – 3.946 secs 320.13 mph (Career win #58)
R/UP: Jordan Vandergriff – 4.038 secs 266.27 mph
Low ET: Jordan Vandergriff – 3.879 secs
Top MPH: JR Todd – 333.66 mph
Bump: n/a
Entries: 15

Posted with files by NHRA Communications & Bruce Biegler
Photos by David Ostaszewski

More Funny Car class photos included to our LMLCMedia event photo gallery: HERE