![\"\"](\"https:\/\/nitrofccanada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Matt-Hagan-Qualifies-Second-at-Seattle-scaled-e1753313450837.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Hagan, working with new crew chiefs Mike Knudsen and Phil Shuler in 2025, posted round wins over Buddy Hull, Beckman and Alexis DeJoria before facing Capps in the final round, as the Virginia racer was the class of the field with low elapsed times in the second round (3.861), third round (3.879) and the final round (3.904).
Hagan\u2019s runner-up performance last month at Norwalk, Ohio, showed that his new crew chiefs were producing impressive runs with Hagan at the controls, and the Seattle win for Hagan and his TSR Direct Connection Dodge\/\/SRT Hellcat squad now gives the NHRA Funny Car field a car to watch for heading into the NHRA \u201cCountdown\u201d playoffs starting in September.
\u201cIt has been a while since my last win, last year at Dallas,\u201d said Hagan. \u201cAnd I\u2019m very happy for the whole team, especially Mike Knudsen, who took over as crew chief this year. We were on a learning curve with Mike as a new crew chief after many years working under Dickie Venables with our team. Dickie helped us win three World Championships and many race wins. And we feel that success will continue with Mike working with Phil Shuler (co-crew chief) and Alex Conaway (car chief). I want to thank Tony (Stewart, team owner) too, for bringing in a new guy to head his Funny Car team.
\u201cI would have liked to have won earlier this year, but everyone was learning, and this win feels great. I think with a final round at Norwalk and a win at Seattle that we are definitely coming into our own with our TSR Dodge\/\/SRT team. We are very happy to put Direct Connection back in the winner\u2019s circle too. I have been with Dodge for some 18 years now and all my NHRA wins have come in a Dodge Funny Car. So, getting career win No. 53 is very special. It takes time to build that confidence in a new crew chief and a new team overall. But we have it now.\u201d
Knudsen said his crew has been developing a strong unit to give Hagan a more competitive car as the season enters the final stages.
\u201cWe knew that the tide was turning in Norwalk,\u201d said Knudsen. \u201cEvery run has built more confidence for our team as well as Matt, and we showed that today with our first 2025 win. Now, we feel we have a good combination heading to Sonoma this coming week. We hope this is just a start towards the \u2018Countdown.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NHRA Denso Sonoma Nationals gets underway this coming weekend at Northern California’s Sonoma Raceway July 25-27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nNHRA Muckleshoot Northwest Nationals \u2013 Funny Car Class Summary<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WIN: Matt Hagan \u2013 3.904 secs 331.94 mph (Career win #53)
R\/UP: Ron Capps \u2013 3.919 secs 331.61 mph
Low ET: Jack Beckman \u2013 3.839 secs
Top MPH: Austin Prock \u2013 336.40 mph
Bump: 4.227
Entries \u2013 17 cars<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Posted with files by Tom Blattler & Bruce Biegler<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photos by Les Puchala and courtesy of NHRA<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To view more Funny Car class photos from this event – link to gallery : HERE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n