Hagan Makes Triumphant Victory at NHRA Texas Fall Nationals Marking 52nd Career Win

NHRA Funny Car World Champion Matt Hagan claimed victory at the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals with a final-round win over Ron Capps

Matt Hagan, the current NHRA Funny Car World Champion, navigated a challenging competition on Sunday to secure his 52nd career victory in the NHRA, driving his Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Johnson Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT Hellcat at the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals. Meanwhile, his TSR teammate Tony Stewart faced an early exit, losing in the first round of the Top Fuel division.

Hagan, a 41-year-old racer hailing from Christiansburg, Virginia, had an outstanding weekend at the Texas Motorplex, clinching his second straight victory at the Texas Fall Nationals and his fifth overall at the drag strip located just south of the Dallas Metroplex. Moreover, the four-time NHRA World Champion achieved his fastest elapsed time of the year, clocking in at 3.823 during qualifying, securing the No. 2 spot in the 16-car lineup.

Clenching the Texas Fall Nationals title was his third NHRA national event victory of the 2024 season, adding to his earlier wins in Charlotte and Joliet. This event also marked Hagan's impressive 98th final round appearance, all while competing in Dodge//SRT racecars.

In the final showdown on Sunday, Hagan went head-to-head with former World Champion Ron Capps amid grueling conditions, where the temperature peaked at 95 degrees and the track surface approached a blistering 130 degrees. The Dickie Venables-led TSR team tackled the heat challenges head-on. Hagan, celebrated for his quick reaction times in the Funny Car realm, demonstrated his prowess yet again, securing a “holeshot” win over Capps with a 0.064 light against Capps' 0.084.

Crossing the finish line, Hagan clocked in at 3.943, surpassing Capps’ 3.934 to secure his fifth Texas NHRA “Wally” trophy, having previously won in 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2023-2024. Earlier in the competition, Hagan triumphed over Bobby Bode, Cruz Pedregon, and Daniel Wilkerson to reach the final showdown.

“This win was really special,” said Hagan. “We’re always building great relationships with our partners, and we have really great partners with Dodge//SRT in our Hellcat Funny Car. I’ve been with them almost 15 years and won four championships with them. We had JHG on the car and had Andy Ross from American Rebel at the race."

“I love (Ron) Capps, but I was ready to take him out before the final. I’m just like ‘Let’s Go.’ You feel like you’re going in like a gladiator. This is kind of like rodeo stuff. You get in this crazy machine, and you never know what it’s going to do. We have a great crew, and they did a super job this weekend to get this win. Life is about people and those relationships are what really matter.”

With his recent win, Hagan has climbed back to third in the NHRA Mission Funny Car points standings. There are only two races left in the 20-event NHRA Mission national series, set to unfold in Las Vegas from November 1-3 and in Pomona, California, from November 14-17.

Mark your calendars for a thrilling weekend at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nitro action begins with qualifying rounds on Friday, November 1, at 1 p.m. PDT and 3:30 p.m. PDT. The excitement carries over to Saturday, November 2, with additional qualifying sessions. The grand finale, featuring final eliminations, takes place on Sunday, November 3, at 11 a.m. PST.