SEATTLE — Matt Hagan not only ended a winless streak that stretched back to October, but he announced himself and the Tony Stewart Racing team as a contender for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship.
Hagan’s victory on Sunday at Pacific Raceways was his first of the season, his second at the track and the 53rd of his career.
By defeating longtime rival Ron Capps in the final round, Hagan moved into third in the standings as the series heads to Sonoma Raceway this weekend.
Hagan’s victory was also his first with new crew chiefs Mike Knudsen and Phil Shuler.
“It has been a while since my last win, which was last year at Dallas. I am very happy for the whole team, especially Mike Knudsen, who took over as crew chief this year,” Hagan said. “We were on a learning curve with Mike as a new crew chief after many years working under Dickie Venables (previous crew chief) with our team. Dickie helped us win three world championships and many race wins.
“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. He has given Mike a shot working with Phil and here we are in the winner’s circle. I would have liked to have won earlier this year, but everyone was learning, and this win feels great.”
A runner-up effort at Summit Racing Motorsports Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio at the end of June, signaled the team was close.
“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,” Hagan added. “We are very happy to put Direct Connection back in the winner’s circle too. I have been with Dodge for 18 years now and all my NHRA wins have come in Dodge Funny Car. So, getting career win number 53 is very special.
“It takes time to build that confidence in a crew chief and a new team overall. Unfortunately, we have been on the wrong side of some close drag races this year.
“Now, I see us fighting back into the hunt every weekend. I haven’t won at Sonoma before and I would like to put that ‘Wally’ (trophy) on the trophy shelf next. We’ll celebrate this win and get ready for Sonoma next weekend now.”
