Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Matt Hagan Achieves Runner-Up Position At Brainerd In Dodge SRT Hellcat
Matt Hagan, the reigning NHRA Mission World Funny Car Champion, secured a runner-up finish in his Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, on August 18, 2024. Despite a challenging start, Hagan's performance improved significantly during the event.
Hagan's qualifying run of 3.997 placed him in the 13th position out of 16 cars. Facing three-time World Champion Ron Capps in the first round, Hagan managed to advance with a "holeshot" victory. He continued his winning streak by defeating Daniel Wilkerson and J.R. Todd in subsequent rounds before facing Blake Alexander in the final.
The runner-up finish helped Hagan close the gap in the NHRA Mission Funny Car points standings. He is now closer to leaders Austin Prock and Bob Tasca III as they head to the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park from August 28 to September 2.
"We missed it a little bit in qualifying," said Hagan. "But Dickie and crew dug deep and worked hard. We haven’t been qualifying the greatest, but we seem to really race well on Sundays." Despite his redlight in the final, Hagan remains optimistic about future races.
Hagan’s TSR teammate and team owner, Tony Stewart, also had a notable weekend. In his "rookie" Top Fuel campaign at Brainerd, Stewart achieved his best elapsed time and speed this year. His qualifying run of 3.688 at 333.16 miles per hour placed him second in the Top Fuel field.
Stewart advanced past eight-time World Champion Tony Schumacher into the quarterfinals with a pass of 334.73 mph, the fastest Top Fuel speed of the eliminations. Although he didn’t progress beyond the second round against Justin Ashley, Stewart moved up to seventh in the NHRA Mission Top Fuel points.
Ida Zetterström's Debut Performance
Sweden’s Ida Zetterström made her NHRA national event debut at Brainerd, driving the JCM Racing/Dodge Europe Top Fuel dragster to a semifinal finish. She upset No. 1 qualifier Steve Torrence with a career-best run of 3.773 in the first round.
"I really enjoyed my first race in NHRA competition," said Zetterström. "We did have a few tests, but it is nothing like a real race weekend." Her performance was impressive given that European tracks and equipment differ from those in the U.S.
Upcoming NHRA U.S. Nationals
The 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals will kick off with nitro action on Friday, August 30 at 8 p.m. EDT for qualifying rounds followed by more qualifiers on Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT and 3:30 p.m. EDT. The Pep Boys NHRA All-Star Funny Car Callout is scheduled for Sunday, September 1 at 1 p.m. EDT with additional qualifying rounds later that day.
Final eliminations will take place on Monday, September 2 starting at 10 a.m. EDT. Television coverage begins on Sunday with Fox Sports 1 airing qualifying shows at 1 p.m., followed by final eliminations on Monday at noon on Fox Sports 1 and later at 2 p.m. on FOX Network.
@DodgeMoparMotorsports on Instagram{INSTAGRAM_1}
Dodge continues its legacy with high-performance vehicles like the all-new electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack and gasoline-powered options such as the Dodge Charger SIXPACK H.O., featuring a Twin Turbo Hurricane High Output engine.
The brand also offers powerful models like the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat and best-in-class performance with vehicles like the Dodge Hornet compact utility vehicle.
Mopar remains synonymous with genuine parts and exceptional service since its inception in 1937 as an antifreeze product line under Stellantis' portfolio of brands.
Mopar has evolved over decades to represent complete vehicle care and authentic performance for enthusiasts worldwide through technical service and customer support integration.
The upcoming events promise thrilling performances as racers prepare for one of the biggest races of the year while fans can follow all updates through various platforms provided by Dodge and Mopar.
Continue with Google