Matt Hagan Eyes 50th NHRA Win In Winternationals Funny Car Final After Rain Delay

At the recent NHRA Lucas Oil Winternationals, Matt Hagan, the defending Funny Car champion, showcased his racing prowess by driving his Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Johnson Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT Hellcat to the final round. Hagan, who had previously clinched the No. 1 spot on Saturday with an impressive time of 3.893, was on the verge of securing his second consecutive NHRA Winternationals title. His journey to the final saw him overcoming competitors Buddy Hull, Jeff Diehl, and J.R. Todd in the eliminations. However, due to unforeseen rain, the final round was postponed, setting up an anticipated showdown against John Force at the Arizona Nationals scheduled for April 5-7. Hagan is not just competing for another title but is also eyeing his 50th NHRA career national event win.

Conversely, racing icon Tony Stewart faced a series of challenges during the Winternationals weekend. Despite initially qualifying in third place with a stellar time of 3.737, a clock malfunction led to his run being disallowed, relegating him to 13th place in the Top Fuel field. The competition intensified on Sunday when Stewart went head-to-head with Steve Torrence but lost traction right off the starting line, leading to an early exit from the race. Despite the setback, Stewart acknowledged the hurdles as part of the learning curve for his nascent team.

Both Hagan and Stewart are now gearing up for their next challenge at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. Hagan is slated to participate in nitro qualifying on April 5, followed by two additional rounds of qualifying on April 6, with the final eliminations set for April 7. Meanwhile, Stewart's team is focused on fine-tuning their strategy and making necessary adjustments to enhance their performance in upcoming races.

Dodge plays a pivotal role as the sponsor for both Hagan and Stewart's teams in NHRA racing. The brand's commitment to motorsports is evident through its active involvement and support for its teams. Fans can stay updated with all NHRA action by visiting the DodgeGarage website or following @DodgeMoparMotorsports on Instagram. Dodge continues to impress with its lineup of high-performance vehicles, including fan favorites like the Dodge Charger and Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.

Mopar also significantly contributes to NHRA racing by providing exceptional service, parts, and customer care for both on-road and racing applications. With a rich heritage dating back to 1937, Mopar remains a crucial supporter of Dodge and other Stellantis brands in their racing pursuits, underscoring its long-standing commitment to excellence in the automotive industry.