With his first NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series national event as a non-rookie under his belt, Matt Hagan is ready to attack this weekend’s 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, driving the new DieHard Dodge Charger Funny Car.
“I can’t really believe the first race is already over,” said the 27-year-old Angus Cattle farmer from Christiansburg, Va., who was barely two years old when this event was first held at Firebird Int’l Raceway. “The anticipation and the build-up of beginning this season in Pomona, Calif., last weekend after my rookie year in 2009 is gone now and we’re on full throttle for the 2010 season. The off-season rust has worn off, and it’s nice to be able to go right into the very next weekend and get right back in the DieHard car.
“Hopefully we can keep some momentum going. We left Pomona sixth in the point standings (after a quarterfinal finish), and we’re right in the hunt. I’m looking forward to getting out there and qualifying the car well and getting lane choice for the first round. Then it will be an all-out effort to win our first race for DieHard and Don Schumacher Racing.
“We tested at Firebird last year and did pretty well,” he added. “I think it’s a good track, and we definitely don’t have to worry about shutting down because there’s plenty of sand out there at the end of the track.”
MATT HAGAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 6 in 2010 Funny Car standings, after quarterfinal finish in season-opener in Pomona, Calif.
* Qualified No. 8 in Phoenix in 2009; lost second round to Ron Capps
* No. 11 in 2009 Funny Car point standings, as a Rookie-of-the-Year frontrunner. Was first finisher outside the Countdown to 1 contenders
* Had two runner-up finishes, 13 first-round, eight quarterfinal, and one semifinal in 2009
* Qualified on pole twice in 2009: in Sonoma, Calif., and Las Vegas 2
* Has a career round-win record of 16-25
* Qualified No. 14 at ‘09 Winternationals, lost first round to Ashley Force Hood
* Entered NHRA Funny Car class four times in 2008, qualifying once at the U.S. Nationals
* 2006 NHRA AMS Pro Mod Challenge Rookie of the Year
* 2010 is second season with Don Schumacher Racing
* Won class-best three Funny Car events in 2008 IHRA series, ending season third in point standings
* Born Nov. 11, 1982 in Salem, Va., lives in Christiansburg, Va.
* Married to Rachel; one son, Colby (10/27/06), one daughter Penny Louise (9/28/09)
* Quickest elapsed time to 1000 feet so far: 4.030 seconds (Las Vegas 2 2009)
* Fastest speed to 1000 feet so far: 313.88 mph (Las Vegas 2 2009)
* Manages family 500-acre Angus Cattle farm in Virginia
| 
|