{"id":5587,"date":"2016-09-22T14:29:56","date_gmt":"2016-09-22T19:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=5587"},"modified":"2016-09-22T14:29:56","modified_gmt":"2016-09-22T19:29:56","slug":"two-time-funny-car-world-champion-matt-hagan-aims-to-conquer-another-first-at-aaa-insurance-nhra-midwest-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/09\/22\/two-time-funny-car-world-champion-matt-hagan-aims-to-conquer-another-first-at-aaa-insurance-nhra-midwest-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Two-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan aims to conquer another first at AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

MADISON, Ill. \u2014Matt Hagan<\/strong>, a two-time Funny Car world champion, had never won the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals before breaking through this season. After conquering that first, Hagan hopes to repeat that trend at another race \u2013 this weekend\u2019s fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals<\/a> at Gateway Motorsports Park.<\/p>\n

\"2016_matt_hagan_action\"<\/p>\n

Hagan dropped to fifth in points following a second-round loss at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship opener last weekend in Charlotte, N.C. He knows he needs a big performance this weekend in his 10,000-horsepower Mopar Express Lane\/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R\/T to remain in the championship hunt, and replicating his Indy performance in St. Louis would do just that.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlotte was tough,\u201d said Hagan, who has three wins in 2016. \u201cWhen we won the U.S. Nationals we couldn\u2019t do anything wrong. Last weekend we couldn\u2019t do anything right. That\u2019s drag racing. I still don\u2019t think Charlotte defines the way this race car runs and how good this team is. We just struggled from the word go. We\u2019re looking forward to St. Louis. We\u2019ve still got a very, very competitive car. We\u2019ve never won there, so let\u2019s unload it and win it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Del Worsham (Funny Car), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year\u2019s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 for the first time. The race is the second of three straight race weekends in the six-race playoffs and Hagan expects big things in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

\"2016_matt_hagan\"<\/p>\n

He sits 72 points behind leader and Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps, who has five wins this season, meaning a championship is still well within reach. In Hagan\u2019s march to a title in 2014, the 21-time event winner came back from an 80-point deficit, and a big weekend in St. Louis would go a long way in closing the current gap.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s still a lot of racing left to play out and see what happens,\u201d Hagan said. \u201cYou just have to put yourself in the right situations and then capitalize. The biggest thing is not missing when you have a chance to capitalize. When those opportunities come you have to take advantage. A champion is someone who gets excited for these moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hagan has repeatedly shown those championship characteristics in his standout career, which has taken another step in recent years with his current team led by crew chief Dickie Venables.<\/p>\n

To track down the likes of reigning champion Del Worsham and 16-time world champion John Force, who opened the Countdown with the win in Charlotte, Hagan knows last weekend\u2019s qualifying struggles will have to change in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it\u2019s crunch time we\u2019re confident we\u2019re going to make it happen,\u201d Hagan said. \u201cEveryone has confidence in Dickie and we\u2019re going to race as hard as we can. We just have to qualify better. You have to go down in the first session on Friday and set yourself up right. That takes a lot of the pressure away and then you can just build on that. We have the skills and mentality to get it done. It\u2019s a team effort and we just have to focus on our part and control what we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown started his title defense with a Charlotte victory and has four straight St. Louis wins. Doug Kalitta, eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher and Steve Torrence will try to prevent him from earning a fifth consecutive victory.<\/p>\n

Skillman earned his first Pro Stock victory last year and this year will try to stop the dominant season of points leader Jason Line, who won in Charlotte to push his 2016 win total to eight.<\/p>\n

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Chip Ellis started the Countdown with a win, knocking off points leader Andrew Hines in the Charlotte final, and Arana Jr. is after back-to-back wins at St. Louis.<\/p>\n

The AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals will also feature competition in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they\u2019re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet.<\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25.<\/p>\n

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 855-RACE-TIK (722-3845). Tickets are available online at www.gatewaymsp.com<\/a>. \u00a0Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more info, visit www.NHRA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

WHAT:<\/strong> Fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the second of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong> Gateway Motorsports Park, Madison, Ill. – located five minutes from downtown St. Louis at the intersection of Interstates 55\/70 and Ill. Route 203 (Exit 4).<\/p>\n

COURSE:<\/strong> Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 445 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.<\/p>\n

WHEN:<\/strong> Friday through Sunday, Sept. 23-25<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE:<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRIDAY, Sept. 23 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying<\/p>\n

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY, Sept. 24 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations<\/p>\n

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1 p.m.; first round of eliminations at 3:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

SUNDAY, Sept. 25 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

TELEVISION:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday, Sept. 23, FS1 will televise an hour of live qualifying coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

Sunday, Sept. 25, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 2 a.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

Sunday, Sept. 25, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

2015 EVENT WINNERS:<\/strong> Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Del Worsham, Funny Car; Drew Skillman, Pro Stock; Hector Arana Jr., Pro Stock Motorcycle.<\/p>\n

TRACK RECORDS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Fuel – 3.718 sec. by Steve Torrence, Sept. \u201815; 329.99 mph by Dave Connolly, Sept. \u201815<\/p>\n

Funny Car \u2013 3.883 sec. and 330.47 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. \u201815<\/p>\n

Pro Stock – 6.492 sec. by Greg Anderson, Sept. \u201915; 213.47 mph by Jason Line, Sept. \u201812<\/p>\n

PS Motorcycle – 6.796 sec. and 198.58 mph by Hector Arana, Sept. \u201813<\/p>\n

NATIONALS RECORDS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Fuel – 3.671 sec. by Steve Torrence, July \u201916, Sonoma, Calif.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. \u201915, Brainerd, Minn.<\/p>\n

Funny Car – 3.822 by Matt Hagan, Aug. \u201916, Brainerd, Minn.; 335.57 mph by Hagan, May \u201916, Topeka, Kan.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;\u00a0 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May \u201814, Englishtown N.J.<\/p>\n

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. \u201912, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March \u201915, Charlotte, N.C.<\/p>\n

TICKETS:<\/strong> Order tickets by phone at 855-RACE-TIK (855-722-3845). Tickets also are available online at www.gatewaymsp.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, the 19th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and first of six rounds in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs –<\/p>\n

Top Fuel<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Antron Brown, 2,226; 2.\u00a0 Doug Kalitta, 2,184; 3.\u00a0 Steve Torrence, 2,126; 4.\u00a0 Brittany Force, 2,110; 5.\u00a0 Tony Schumacher, 2,099; 6.\u00a0 J.R. Todd, 2,074; 7.\u00a0 Shawn Langdon, 2,067; 8.\u00a0 Leah Pritchett, 2,054; 9.\u00a0 Clay Millican, 2,052; 10.\u00a0 Richie Crampton, 2,046.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Funny Car<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Ron Capps, 2,194; 2.\u00a0 Del Worsham, 2,152; 3.\u00a0 John Force, 2,144; 4.\u00a0 Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,132; 5.\u00a0 Matt Hagan, 2,122; 6.\u00a0 Courtney Force, 2,094; 7.\u00a0 Robert Hight, 2,093; 8.\u00a0 Jack Beckman, 2,084; 9.\u00a0 Tim Wilkerson, 2,067; 10.\u00a0 Alexis DeJoria, 2,036.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Pro Stock<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Jason Line, 2,233; 2.\u00a0 Greg Anderson, 2,183; 3.\u00a0 Vincent Nobile, 2,129; 4.\u00a0 Bo Butner, 2,123; 5.\u00a0 Allen Johnson, 2,095; 6.\u00a0 Chris McGaha, 2,082; 7.\u00a0 Shane Gray, 2,081; 8.\u00a0 Drew Skillman, 2,073; 9.\u00a0 Jeg Coughlin, 2,052; 10.\u00a0 Erica Enders, 2,020.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Pro Stock Motorcycle<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Andrew Hines, 2,205; 2.\u00a0 Chip Ellis, 2,161; 3.\u00a0 Angelle Sampey, 2,156; 4.\u00a0 Eddie Krawiec, 2,120; 5.\u00a0 LE Tonglet, 2,106; 6.\u00a0 Jerry Savoie, 2,099; 7.\u00a0 Hector Arana Jr, 2,083; 8.\u00a0 Hector Arana, 2,052; 9.\u00a0 Matt Smith, 2,042; 10.\u00a0 Cory Reed, 2,032.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Story and photos courtesy of the NHRA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          MADISON, Ill. \u2014Matt Hagan, a two-time Funny Car world champion, had never won the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals before breaking through this season. After conquering that first, Hagan hopes to repeat that trend at another race \u2013 this weekend\u2019s fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park. Hagan dropped to fifth in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5590,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[197,6],"class_list":["post-5587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-matt-hagan","tag-nhra"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-1s7","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2016_Matt_Hagan_Action.jpg?fit=3600%2C2400&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5587"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5591,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5587\/revisions\/5591"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}