[coverattach=1]CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (March 9, 2009) - NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year contender Matt Hagan is geared up for the third national event of the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series this weekend, the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
His rookie season is off to a good start. The Virginia native has qualified for each of the first two races and won his first round of pro Funny Car competition at the last event in Phoenix. Standing No. 10 in the rankings, he's aiming to win even more rounds this weekend, driving the Shelor.com Dodge Funny Car.
"It feels great," he said of his strong season start. "I think we have a great race car underneath us. And we were right there in the middle of the pack in qualifying in Phoenix (No. 8 qualifier). It shows that we can run with everybody out there. So, I'm excited to get to Gainesville. I've always had a lot of success there in the Pro Mod class. I like the track. It has plenty of shut-down area, it's a historic race and there are always a lot of fans there, so it's pretty cool. And, I actually got my Alcohol Funny Car license from Frank Hawley there in 2004."
Now that the 26-year-old Angus Cattle farmer has won his first pro Funny Car round, his confidence level has risen, but he admits he's a long way from being a "seasoned veteran."
"I don't think I'll ever feel like I'm a seasoned veteran," he said with a laugh, "even years from now. You're always learning in these cars. Every lap is different and you just take it, run with it and learn from it. I definitely feel more comfortable in the car but I certainly don't feel like a seasoned veteran."
But he does get support from a true seasoned veteran, his teammate Ron Capps, winner of the first two Funny Car events of the season in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge. "Ron's been spectacular as far as coming over and giving me a few pointers here and there," said Hagan. "He's really gone out of his way to be nice and to offer some opinions. That goes a long way in my book."
Shelor.com comes on board this weekend as primary sponsor of the Dodge Funny Car tuned by Tommy DeLago. Shelor.com is a 24/7 web site, representing eight new-car franchises and a used-car super store in Southwest Virginia. As one of the largest automotive groups in the nation, it provides a huge selection with big-volume discounts.
MATT HAGAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 10 in 2009 Funny Car point standings, as Rookie-of-the-Year contender * Has one first-round and one quarterfinal finish so far in 2009
* Entered NHRA Funny Car class four times in 2008, qualifying once at the U.S. Nationals
* 2006 NHRA AMS Pro Mod Challenge Rookie of the Year
* First season with Don Schumacher Racing
* Won class-best three Funny Car events in 2008 IHRA series, ending season third in point standings
* Born Nov. 11, 1982 in Salem, Va., lives in Christiansburg, Va.
* Married to Rachel; one son, Colby (10/27/06)
* Manages family 500-acre Angus Cattle farm in Virginia
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, March 13 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, March 14 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, March 15 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of
qualifying highlights at 2 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will re-air 90 minutes of
qualifying highlights at 10 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a
30-minute news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET)
Sunday, March 15, ESPN and ESPN HD will televise three hours of coverage
starting at 3 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Analog feed):
Friday, March 13, 9 - 9:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 15 / Transponder 8K (11860
MHz, horizontal)
Saturday, March 14, 7:30 - 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 15 / Transponder 7K (11840
MHz, vertical)
Sunday, March 15, 6:30 - 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 15 / Transponder 7K (11840
MHz, vertical)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners'
interviews on Sunday.
His rookie season is off to a good start. The Virginia native has qualified for each of the first two races and won his first round of pro Funny Car competition at the last event in Phoenix. Standing No. 10 in the rankings, he's aiming to win even more rounds this weekend, driving the Shelor.com Dodge Funny Car.
"It feels great," he said of his strong season start. "I think we have a great race car underneath us. And we were right there in the middle of the pack in qualifying in Phoenix (No. 8 qualifier). It shows that we can run with everybody out there. So, I'm excited to get to Gainesville. I've always had a lot of success there in the Pro Mod class. I like the track. It has plenty of shut-down area, it's a historic race and there are always a lot of fans there, so it's pretty cool. And, I actually got my Alcohol Funny Car license from Frank Hawley there in 2004."
Now that the 26-year-old Angus Cattle farmer has won his first pro Funny Car round, his confidence level has risen, but he admits he's a long way from being a "seasoned veteran."
"I don't think I'll ever feel like I'm a seasoned veteran," he said with a laugh, "even years from now. You're always learning in these cars. Every lap is different and you just take it, run with it and learn from it. I definitely feel more comfortable in the car but I certainly don't feel like a seasoned veteran."
But he does get support from a true seasoned veteran, his teammate Ron Capps, winner of the first two Funny Car events of the season in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge. "Ron's been spectacular as far as coming over and giving me a few pointers here and there," said Hagan. "He's really gone out of his way to be nice and to offer some opinions. That goes a long way in my book."
Shelor.com comes on board this weekend as primary sponsor of the Dodge Funny Car tuned by Tommy DeLago. Shelor.com is a 24/7 web site, representing eight new-car franchises and a used-car super store in Southwest Virginia. As one of the largest automotive groups in the nation, it provides a huge selection with big-volume discounts.
MATT HAGAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 10 in 2009 Funny Car point standings, as Rookie-of-the-Year contender * Has one first-round and one quarterfinal finish so far in 2009
* Entered NHRA Funny Car class four times in 2008, qualifying once at the U.S. Nationals
* 2006 NHRA AMS Pro Mod Challenge Rookie of the Year
* First season with Don Schumacher Racing
* Won class-best three Funny Car events in 2008 IHRA series, ending season third in point standings
* Born Nov. 11, 1982 in Salem, Va., lives in Christiansburg, Va.
* Married to Rachel; one son, Colby (10/27/06)
* Manages family 500-acre Angus Cattle farm in Virginia
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, March 13 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, March 14 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, March 15 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of
qualifying highlights at 2 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will re-air 90 minutes of
qualifying highlights at 10 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a
30-minute news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET)
Sunday, March 15, ESPN and ESPN HD will televise three hours of coverage
starting at 3 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Analog feed):
Friday, March 13, 9 - 9:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 15 / Transponder 8K (11860
MHz, horizontal)
Saturday, March 14, 7:30 - 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 15 / Transponder 7K (11840
MHz, vertical)
Sunday, March 15, 6:30 - 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 15 / Transponder 7K (11840
MHz, vertical)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners'
interviews on Sunday.
