Hagan Triumphs at NHRA Texas FallNationals for 52nd Career Win

Matt Hagan, the reigning NHRA Funny Car World Champion, delivered a strong performance to claim victory at the NHRA Texas FallNationals. Driving the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Johnson Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT HELLCAT, Hagan earned his 52nd career win, cementing his place as one of the sport’s top competitors. This latest triumph marked his third victory of the 2024 season and his fifth win at the Texas Motorplex, following previous wins in 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2023.

Hagan’s weekend started with a standout performance in qualifying, running his fastest time of the year with a 3.823-second pass. This impressive effort secured him the No. 2 starting spot in the 16-car Funny Car field. From there, he skillfully navigated his way through the competition, defeating Bobby Bode, Cruz Pedregon, and Daniel Wilkerson in earlier rounds.

The final round pitted Hagan against Ron Capps, a fellow NHRA World Champion. The two veteran drivers battled under challenging conditions, with track temperatures reaching nearly 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite Capps running a quicker pass at 3.934 seconds, Hagan’s sharp reflexes and quicker reaction time of 0.064 seconds gave him the edge. He crossed the finish line in 3.943 seconds, capturing the win on a “holeshot”—a victory determined by a driver’s reaction time rather than their overall speed.

After the win, Hagan reflected on the significance of the victory and the support of his team and sponsors. “This win was really special,” Hagan said. “We’re always building great relationships with our partners, and we have really great partners with Dodge//SRT in our HELLCAT Funny Car. I’ve been with them for almost 15 years and won four championships with them. We had JHG on the car and had Andy Ross from American Rebel at the race.”

Hagan also commented on his mindset going into the final round against Capps. “I love Ron, but I was ready to take him out before the final. I’m just like, ‘Let’s go.’ You feel like you’re going in like a gladiator. This is kind of like rodeo stuff. You get in this crazy machine, and you never know what it’s going to do. We have a great crew, and they did a super job this weekend to get this win. Life is about people, and those relationships are what really matter.”

With the victory, Hagan moved into the third spot in the NHRA Mission Funny Car points standings, positioning himself well for the season’s final two races at Las Vegas and Pomona. His performance at the Texas Fall Nationals adds to an already impressive season, which includes earlier wins in Charlotte and Joliet.

Tony Stewart’s Rookie Season Continues in Top Fuel –

In the Top Fuel division, Hagan’s team owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart competed in his rookie season behind the TSR Mobil 1 Dodge//SRT dragster wheel. Stewart faced off against Shawn Reed in the first round but fell short, with Reed’s 3.753-second pass besting Stewart’s 3.817-second effort.

Stewart, currently ranked tenth in the NHRA Mission Top Fuel points standings, acknowledged the weekend’s challenges. “This was a very challenging weekend, to say the least,” Stewart admitted. “We shouldn’t have put ourselves in the position of needing to qualify for the event in qualifying session No. 4. It left us in a tough spot in round one of eliminations. I’m really proud of Matt Hagan and the JHG Dodge//SRT crew for getting the win today. We will look ahead to Las Vegas now.”

Ida Zetterström Faces Tough Competition –

Swedish Top Fuel rookie Ida Zetterström, the 2023 FIA World Top Fuel Champion, also competed in the Texas Fall Nationals. In the opening round, she faced off against her JCM Racing teammate, Tony Schumacher. Despite a strong effort, Zetterström’s 4.082-second pass was not enough to overcome Schumacher’s 3.801-second run.

As the NHRA season heads into its final stretch, Hagan, Stewart, and Zetterström will turn their attention to the next event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from November 1-3. With Hagan aiming for another strong finish and Stewart and Zetterström looking to end their seasons on a high note, the competition is sure to heat up as the countdown to the championship continues.