BAYTOWN, Texas – 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.”

In Top Fuel, last year’s winner Kalitta will attempt to tie Kenny Bernstein and Larry Dixon for the most class wins at Royal Purple Raceway with three. Others to watch include defending world champion Antron Brown, points leader Brittany Force, who picked up her second win this season last weekend in Charlotte, eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, Winternationals winner Steve Torrence, Richie Crampton, past Houston winner J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon.

Hometown favorite Enders claimed the victory in Houston last year en route to her second straight world championship, but is chasing the Summit Racing Equipment tandem of points leader Jason Line and Greg Anderson, who have combined to win all five races in the new-look Pro Stock class. Other talented stars in the class include five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., Drew Skillman, Bo Butner, Vincent Nobile, Allen Johnson, Shane Gray, and tough Texans Chris McGaha and Alex Laughlin.

The sleek new Pro Stock cars feature fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiter.

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.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

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. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

* * *

NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS FACTS

WHAT: 29th annual NHRA SpringNationals, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.  Competition also will be featured in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series.

WHERE: Royal Purple Raceway, 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 Royal Purple Raceway will be on your right. For additional information about directions please visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

COURSE: Championship dragstrip; Track elevation is 10 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 29-May 1

SCHEDULE:        

FRIDAY, April 29 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 4 and 6 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m

SATURDAY, April 30 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:30 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 5 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1 and 3:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 1 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:      

Friday, April 29, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET).

Saturday, April 30, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at Midnight (ET).

Sunday, May 1, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at 5 p.m. (ET).

2015 EVENT WINNERS: Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Ron Capps, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock.

MOST WINS: John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 6, PS; Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS; Tony Pedregon, 4, FC; Kenny Bernstein, 3, TF; Ron Capps, 3, FC; Larry Dixon, 3, TF; Mike Edwards, 3, PS; Bob Glidden, 3, PS; Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC.

TRACK RECORDS:            

Top Fuel – 3.726 seconds by Tony Schumacher, April ’15; 330.07 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’15.

Funny Car – 3.988 seconds by Jack Beckman, April ’15; 320.81 mph by Matt Hagan, April ’15.

Pro Stock – 6.519 seconds by Jason Line, April ’15; 212.66 mph by Mike Edwards, April ’13.

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car – 3.879 sec. by Jack Beckman, March ‘16, Gainesville, Fla.; 331.45 mph by Matt Hagan, Nov. ’15, Pomona, 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.

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

* * *

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel:  1.  Brittany Force, 428; 2.  Antron Brown, 365; 3.  Doug Kalitta, 344; 4.  Clay Millican, 318; 5.  Steve Torrence, 310; 6.  J.R. Todd, 289; 7.  (tie) Terry McMillen, 242; Tony Schumacher, 242; 9.  Richie Crampton, 240; 10.  Leah Pritchett, 220.

Funny Car:  1.  Robert Hight, 369; 2.  Ron Capps, 361; 3.  John Force, 352; 4.  Tim Wilkerson, 334; 5.  Courtney Force, 322; 6.  Del Worsham, 318; 7.  Jack Beckman, 307; 8.  Alexis DeJoria, 277; 9.  Chad Head, 270; 10.  Cruz Pedregon, 238.

Pro Stock:  1.  Jason Line, 583; 2.  Greg Anderson, 481; 3.  Bo Butner, 429; 4.  Drew Skillman, 343; 5.  Chris McGaha, 287; 6.  Allen Johnson, 244; 7.  (tie) Jeg Coughlin, 223; Erica Enders, 223; 9.  Vincent Nobile, 209; 10.  Alex Laughlin, 187.

Pro Stock Motorcycle:  1.  Eddie Krawiec, 232; 2.  Andrew Hines, 197; 3.  Hector Arana, 154; 4.  Chip Ellis, 135; 5.  Jerry Savoie, 108; 6.  LE Tonglet, 107; 7.  Michael Ray, 104; 8.  Matt Smith, 93; 9.  Angelle Sampey, 92; 10.  Jim Underdahl, 84.

Story and photos courtesy of the NHRA