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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHagan, the four-time NHRA Mission World Champion, scored his second consecutive NHRA Funny Car national event win after overcoming tricky track conditions during Friday and Saturday qualifying rounds. Hagan, who won the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals last month in Charlotte, qualified only 11th in the 16-car Funny Car field, tackling hot and humid weather in the Chicago area.
But the Virginia racer and his TSR Dodge\/\/SRT crew made the proper adjustments throughout race day Sunday to record his 51st career NHRA national win and defeat legendary John Force in the final round with a 3.998 over Force\u2019s 4.096 in front of a large crowd at the Joliet, Ill., racing plant.
Hagan\u2019s second 2024 NHRA triumph moved him into the NHRA Mission Funny Car points lead with 488 markers over Austin Prock at 474. Hagan seeks his third straight NHRA win at the next NHRA Mission event at Epping, N.H., on May 31-June 2 in the New England Nationals. Hagan is a four-time winner at Epping as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>On Sunday, Hagan recorded wins over former NHRA World Champion Ron Capps, Paul Lee and Blake Alexander before facing Force in the final round. Fighting the tough track surface throughout the weekend, Hagan\u2019s 3.998 was the only time during the event that he bettered the four-second clocking, but the Dickie Venables-tuned Direct Connection Dodge\/\/SRT Hellcat improved with each round and saved his best run for the finale.
\u201cIt was a massive day for TSR (Tony Stewart Racing) and the Direct Connection Dodge\/\/SRT guys,\u201d said Hagan in victory lane. \u201cBack-to-back wins is super in very tough track conditions this weekend. This place was so tricky with the heat and humidity. We got stuck in the tough lane and we drove it to another win. Dickie Venables, Mike Knudsen, Alex Conaway and all of the crew guys do such a great job on race day. I trust them to put me in position to win races. I just stab the throttle and steer it. I had to drive the wheels off the car today.
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have believed we could have won on Saturday. But Tony (Stewart) gives me the best equipment I could ask for in NHRA competition. We didn\u2019t qualify as well as we wanted with an 11th spot, but, on race day, we clicked those win lights and that is what it is all about. Getting those four \u2018win\u2019 lights is why we do this. I feel like if you are in it, you can win it. Racing and beating John Force is an honor. He is the GOAT. So, I feel tremendous when you beat the best ever. I\u2019m always excited to win a \u2018Wally\u2019 trophy and now it was my 51st career win. I\u2019m so grateful to race these cars and drive for Dodge and Tony Stewart Racing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Team owner Stewart was very happy in the NHRA winner\u2019s circle after Hagan\u2019s second 2024 win.
\u201cMatt and the team did a great job in the Direct Connection Dodge\/\/SRT machine today,\u201d said Stewart. \u201cHe had a big moment in E1 (first round of eliminations) where he crossed the centerline after the finish. That was a big moment, but this team knows how to race all day. Race day is their day! I\u2019m really proud of these guys and, of course, Matt. Matt did a super job today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFunny Car Racing Class Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n WIN: Matt Hagan \u2013 3.998 secs 323.27 mph (Career win #51)<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
R\/UP: John Force \u2013 4.096 secs 311.05 mph
Low ET: Austin Prock \u2013 3.907 secs
Top MPH: Austin Prock \u2013 332.43 mph
Bump: 4.667 secs
Entries \u2013 18 cars<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a>