NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Two-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan often compares his role as a driver to that of a quarterback, especially during the current circumstances this season. He knows it is his responsibility to keep spirits and confidence high, even with the team struggling to start the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Hagan has fully embraced that leadership role and is ready to direct the next step in helping lead the team to its first victory this season. After a confidence-boosting appearance in the final foursome at last weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Hagan is hopeful that first victory of the season comes at this weekend’s 29th annual NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway. That remains the ultimate goal every time he gets behind the wheel, but Hagan is also quick to acknowledge the improvements his team has made after three first-round losses in the first four events.

“The winner’s circle is where I want to be, but we’re moving forward and taking steps we need to get there,” said Hagan, who has 18 career wins, but is currently 11th in points in 2016. “These cars are tough and they can be finicky. But I think we’re coming around and things are starting to look good. I think we made huge headway over the weekend [in Charlotte]. We were struggling, so it’s big to go some rounds. There’s still some little issues but we’re happy with the direction we’re headed.”

It would also be special for Hagan to win at Houston because he will be driving an NHRA SpringNationals-edition 10,000-horsepower Pennzoil Dodge Charger R/T, and will be involved in pre-race activities with Pennzoil executives in downtown Houston early in the week. 

“Pennzoil has contributed so much to what we accomplished last year. It’s unbelievable,” said Hagan, a full-time cattle rancher from Christiansburg, Va. “We want to win every race and we’ll have more incentive running the Pennzoil Dodge at Houston. We want to show them some love for everything they have done for our team and Don Schumacher Racing.”

Last year’s winners were Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), and local favorite Erica Enders (Pro Stock). The race will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), with qualifying highlights on April 29 at 8 p.m. and finals coverage on May 1 at 5 p.m. The tradition-rich race near Houston is the sixth of 24 races during the 2016 season and marks the first back-to-back racing weekend of the year.

That signals a busier schedule and changing race conditions as summer approaches, but Hagan is on board with that. The team tested in Charlotte the day after the Four-Wide Nationals and continue to take steps forward in their six-disc clutch set-up. It’s been a massive undertaking and one that Hagan and crew chief Dickie Venables believe will yield impressive results, but the road to get there hasn’t always been easy.

The start of this season exemplifies that, as Hagan fell in the opening round at the first race of the season. Another first-round loss followed in Las Vegas, but Hagan was considerably quicker and more consistent in Charlotte, which could mark the first step in the turnaround this season.

“Things haven’t been going the way we’ve wanted, but it’s not going to stay like that forever,” Hagan said. “It was nice to have a weekend like Charlotte and then get right back at it. We haven’t hit that stride yet, but I think it will come. I think we’re still very young in the growing stages with this. This is the way to go, but it’s something we have to learn. I think within a couple races we’ll turn on some more win lights and hopefully we can put some wins together.”

Hagan is used to success in his Funny Car career, which means this recent rough spot has him as driven as ever. But he also has the utmost confidence in a talented team that has proven its worth time and time again over the last several years. Hagan has posted 13 of his 18 career wins in just the last three seasons and the pairing with Venables has proven to be a dynamic one.

“Obviously it’s a great team and I’m fortunate to be surrounded by smart, hard-working individuals,” Hagan said. “I think that’s what has helped drive me and why I’ve had success. Seeing everyone work together and come together to get this season going has been huge. It’s been very humbling right now. I was runner-up (in 2013), won the championship two years ago and led the points the majority of last year so it’s a little unexpected to struggle like we have. But we’re making progress and it’s all about how you finish.”

Plenty of season remains but Hagan knows the time is now to make a move back into the top 10. A successful weekend in Houston could put the Funny Car standout back on track, but the competition is as good as it has ever been in the class.

He’ll have to deal with Don Schumacher Racing teammates Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Jack Beckman, as well as the likes of defending world champion Del Worsham,  Las Vegas winner Alexis DeJoria, points leader Robert Hight, Courtney Force, seven-time Houston winner John Force, Cruz Pedregon and Tim Wilkerson, who picked up his second win of 2016 in Charlotte. After the challenges of the Four-Wide Nationals and ultimately a successful weekend, Hagan is eager for this weekend.

“You’re definitely back in your comfort zone,” Hagan said. “There’s a lot of thinking that goes on in a race like (the Four-Wide Nationals). Going back to two-wide racing, it’s what feels a little more comfortable and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

The first round of Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday followed by the night session that will begin at 7 p.m. The final two rounds of qualifying will take place Saturday, April 30 at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 1.

For the Friday night qualifying session there will be a special pre-race ceremony highlighting some of the nitro stars and will feature a special Ladies Night promotion. All female spectators will receive free admission with a reserved seat on the spectator side of the track. This offer is available for walk-up ticket purchases only. In another promotion, kids 13 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult ticket.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 281-383-7223 or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.