Courtesy of the NHRA

BAYTOWN, Texas – After an early-season victory during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and a string of solid runs last weekend in Las Vegas, Matt Hagan sees the confidence level in his team continuing to build. It’s an ideal place to be for the two-time Funny Car champion, especially as he heads to an important early-season race this weekend.

Matt Hagan. NHRA photo

Racing at his sponsor’s track, Houston Raceway Park powered by Pennzoil, for his sponsor’s race, the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil, makes this a massive weekend for Hagan and his 10,000-horsepower Pennzoil Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. Hagan knows that brings a bigger spotlight and extra pressure, but he’s ready to embrace it as he seeks to win his second race of 2019 and second overall in Houston.

“It’s a great opportunity and definitely an honor for me,” Hagan said. “You realize what type of companies you represent and you try to put your best foot forward. It’s phenomenal to have a global company invested in the sport. As far as pressure, you have to try to minimize it and try to focus on the things I’m in control of. The pressure is everywhere in this sport, but it’s a good feeling knowing you have a global company backing you. You just try to learn to let things come to you.”

Brittany Force (Top Fuel) and J.R. Todd (Funny Car) were last year’s winners of the event, which will include live finals coverage on the FOX national broadcast network starting at 3:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, April 14. It marks the NHRA’s 2019 season debut on FOX and also the fifth of 24 races during a season that’s already been a strong one for Hagan, who is currently fifth in points.

Matt Hagan. NHRA photo

Hagan and his team, led by standout crew chief Dickie Venables, won in Phoenix and advanced to the second quad at the most recent event, the four-wide race in Las Vegas. There, Hagan made a number of consistent runs, which is what he’s looking for at this point in the season. He’s just over a round out of second place, which indicates the talent level in the class, and Hagan feels like the team is in a good spot heading to Houston Raceway Park powered by Pennzoil.

“I feel like we’ve got a great car and it’s doing what it needs to do,” said Hagan, who has 30 career Funny Car wins. “I feel really confident in my crew chief and you can just see his confidence growing as well. The car is doing what we want it do and we just want to keep moving forward. The car is driving phenomenal and it’s just a nice working race car right now. We went down every lap at the four-wide race and I feel like we’re going to have a lot of success.”

Hagan believes his car will thrive as temperatures continue to rise, which means he may be set for another trip to the winner’s circle this weekend. To do so, he’ll have to get past the likes of Vegas winner and defending world champion J.R. Todd, points leader Robert Hight, who has two wins this year, John Force, and Don Schumacher Racing teammates Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Jack Beckman. But Hagan has been through the championship gauntlet before and knows what it takes, and he likes what he sees out of his talented group early in the 2019 season.

“The biggest thing is we’re meshing and getting along really well,” Hagan said. “We’re coming up on a lot of races in a row, so it’s all about making sure guys are clicking. We’re about to be on the road for a while, but the guys are doing a phenomenal job. My thing is just trying to keep the confidence going and just having consistency. We’re going to make some good calls and bad calls, but when you see the team gelling this early, you know the flow is going to be good.”

In Top Fuel, 2017 world champion Brittany Force will look for her first win of 2019 and a second straight in Houston going against the likes of Texan Steve Torrence, the defending world champ, Antron Brown, points leader Doug Kalitta, Vegas winner Mike Salinas and Leah Pritchett.

The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service makes its second of 12 stops in 2019 at Houston Raceway Park powered by Pennzoil. Todd Tutterow sprinted to the victory at the season-opener at Gainesville, while the class also includes popular drivers Erica Enders and Alex Laughlin. The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, showcasing the future stars of the sport, as well as the Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series. The Mountain Motor Pro Stock class will also make its 2019 debut at the event, marking the first of four races during the year where the powerful Mountain Motor Pro Stock cars take to the track.

Local athletes, celebrities and media personalities will take to the track on Friday to see if they have what it takes to win in the world of drag racing. By participating in the Pennzoil Charity Challenge, this group will raise money for their favorite charities. The total purse is $30,000 to be divided among the competitors based on where they finish.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7:15 p.m. on Friday, April 12 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 13, at 2:30 and 5 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 14.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (281) 383-RACE (7923) or visitwww.houstonraceway.com. Kids 13 and under are free on the spectator side with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals Presented By Pennzoil

WHAT:                32nd annual NHRA SpringNationals, the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in the pro categories – Top Fuel and Funny Car will earn points leading to 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. Competition also will be featured in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series, the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, as well as the new class of Motor Mountain Pro Stock.

WHERE:             Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil, Baytown, Texas. From Interstate 10 take the State Hwy. 99 (Grand Parkway) exit, which is exit 799. Take a right on State Hwy. 99 and go to the first exit (2 miles) which is FM 565. Take a right on FM 565 and Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil will be on your right. For additional information about directions please visit www.houstonraceway.com

WHEN:                Friday through Sunday, April 12-14

SCHEDULE:       FRIDAY, April 12 – E3 SPARK PLUGS NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 3:30 and 6:15 p.m.

                            MOUTAIN MOTOR PRO STOCK qualifying at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m.

                            MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:30 and 7:15 p.m.

                            SATURDAY, April 13 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying at 11:30 a.m. and eliminations at 6:30 p.m.  

E3 SPARK PLUGS NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m.

MOUTAIN MOTOR PRO STOCK qualifying at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m.

                            MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2:30 and 5:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 14 – Pre-race ceremonies 9:45 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m.

E3 SPARK PLUGS NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES eliminations begin at 12:00 p.m.

MOUTAIN MOTOR PRO STOCK eliminations begin at 1:40 p.m.

TELEVISION:     Sunday, April 14, FOX will televise two hours of live finals coverage at 3 p.m. (ET).

2018 EVENT

WINNERS:          Brittany Force, Top Fuel; J.R. Todd, Funny Car; Matt Hartford, Pro Stock.

MOST                

WINS:                 John Force, 7, FC; Ron Capps, 4, FC; Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS; Tony Pedregon, 4, FC; Greg Anderson, 3, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 3, TF; Larry Dixon, 3, TF; Mike Edwards, 3, PS; Bob Glidden, 3, PS;Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC.

TRACK              

RECORDS:         Top Fuel – 3.680 seconds by Leah Pritchett, April ‘18; 330.07 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’15.

                            Funny Car – 3.851 seconds by Courtney Force, April ‘17; 331.77 mph by Robert Hight, April ’17.

                            Pro Stock – 6.499 seconds by Jeg Coughlin, April ’17; 212.66 mph by Mike Edwards, April ’13.

                            Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.846 seconds by Hector Arana Jr., April ’12; 197.83 mph by Eddie Krawiec, April ‘12

NATIONAL

RECORDS:         Top Fuel – 3.628 sec. by Clay Millican, Feb. ’18, Pomona, Calif.; 336.57 mph by Tony Schumacher, Feb. ‘18, Phoenix

                            Funny Car – 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. ’17, Brainerd; 339.87 mph by Robert Hight, July ’17, Sonoma, Calif.

                            Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ’14, Englishtown N.J.

                            Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct ’12, Reading, PA.; 201.22 mph by Matt Smith, Nov. ’18, Pomona, Calif.                                                                                   

TICKETS:           For tickets call (281) 383-RACE (7223). Tickets also available online at houstonraceway.com