![\"Funny](\"https:\/\/nitrofccanada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Funny-Car-e1496667045305.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHagan made a pass of 3.897 seconds at 332.59 mph after a .058-second reaction time in the right lane. It was enough to beat Force’s lap of 3.927 at 332.34 after she got off the starting line with a .078 reaction time. The pairing was a rematch of the final round during the season-opening NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, also won by Hagan.<\/p>\n
The win, the 25thof Hagan’s career, extended Mopar’s streak of winning at least one Nitro category to ten consecutive events, dating back to Pomona in November last year. Mopar Funny Cars have also claimed wins in eight of the nine events so far in 2017.<\/p>\n
<\/a>(Matt Hagan collected his 25th career NHRA fuel FC class win!)<\/p><\/div>\n
Hagan kicked off the day by finding himself in an unfavorable matchup against 16-time champion John Force in the first round, thanks to Force’s uncharacteristic poor qualifying effort. Hagan was able to turn on the win light, however, making a clean pass as Force smoked his tires. It was Hagan’s first defeat of Force in the last five matchups between the two champion drivers. Hagan then went on to defeat Del Worsham to create a showdown with his Mopar and Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. Hagan pulled away from Johnson’s Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R\/T near the finish line to go the final round against Courtney Force.<\/p>\n
Hagan earned lane choice throughout the first three rounds and chose to stay in the left lane for each, but was forced to the right for the final.<\/p>\n
Johnson meanwhile first took on Funny Car rookie J.R. Todd. After struggling to get the car fired, Johnson ultimately defeated his opponent in a close race as Todd was forced to slow near the finish line after nearing the wall. Johnson next made a clean pass to defeat upset-minded Mike Smith, who had defeated No. 1 qualifier Robert Hight in round one. Johnson’s day was ultimately ended by teammate Hagan, but Johnson’s team seemed to have righted the ship after a string of four consecutive first-round exits since winning at Las Vegas. Johnson had advanced to the last two final rounds at New England Dragway.<\/p>\n
Ron Capps represented the third Mopar Funny Car semifinalist. Last year’s Funny Car winner in New England, the 2016 champion and winner of the last four events in 2017, Capps began his day with a win over Jeff Diehl. Capps ran into trouble on his pass with his Dodge Charger R\/T, but Diehl drove into instant smoke, giving Capps a lucky break. Capps next knocked out Bob Tasca III in round two to set up a matchup with Courtney Force. Although Force ended Capps’ bid to win his fifth consecutive Funny Car event, he maintained the series points lead and improved his won-loss record on the season to an incredible 23-5. He also won 17 rounds over five events before finally bowing out.<\/p>\n
<\/a>(Ron Capps had his 4 race winning streak snapped)<\/p><\/div>\n
Posted by Dan Hodgdon<\/em><\/p>\n Event Essentials: \u00a0 NHRA New England Nationals (June 2-4th, 2017)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n (Courtney Force had a truly remarkable event. After a wicked top end body shredding explosion in qualifying – her team bounced back with a R\/UP finish!)<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n
\n <\/td>\n NAME<\/strong><\/td>\n ET<\/strong><\/td>\n MPH<\/strong><\/td>\n CAREER WIN<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Winner:<\/strong><\/td>\n Matt Hagan<\/td>\n \u00a03.897<\/td>\n 332.59<\/td>\n \u00a025th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n R\/UP:<\/strong><\/td>\n Courtney Force<\/td>\n \u00a03.927<\/td>\n 332.34<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Low ET:<\/strong><\/td>\n Robert Hight<\/td>\n \u00a03.822<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Top Speed:<\/strong><\/td>\n Robert Hight<\/td>\n <\/td>\n 336.74<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bump Spot:<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/td>\n \u00a06.237<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Event Entries:<\/strong><\/td>\n \u00a016 Cars<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/a>