Nick Cavanaugh @Car_Sick_Nick
- Apr 29

Hagan Secures 50th NHRA career victory at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte

Hagan makes drag racing history by clinching his 50th NHRA career triumph at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway

NHRA World Funny Car Champion Matt Hagan secured his 50th career victory at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, clinching the win with a "holeshot" in the final. Behind the wheel of the 11,000-horsepower Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car, Hagan surpassed the legendary Don "The Snake" Prudhomme in career wins.

“This is a massive achievement to win 50 NHRA national events,” said Hagan. “It’s great to have Dodge with us in the winner’s circle for so many years. It’s so special to be around a great group of guys at Tony Stewart Racing. We have had the same crew for three straight years. Great people make the difference between winning and losing and this team is so strong and consistent. Dickie (Venables, crew chief), Mike Knudson, Alex Conaway and the whole team work so hard to give me a great racecar. It’s always fun to put this Dodge//SRT Hellcat in the winner’s circle."

Hagan continued “This 50th win just passed a legend in Don “The Snake” Prudhomme in career wins and to have four NHRA Funny Car championships with the likes of John Force, ‘Snake’ and Kenny Bernstein. I’m so honored to be with that group. This track is just two hours from my home in Virginia, so this is a home track for me. Winning four NHRA races at the zMAX Dragway in my career is special too. I have so many fans here. I actually think I outsold Tony (Stewart) in T-shirts this weekend. So, right now, we might not be the fastest car, but the crew can really race on Sundays and showed it again today. I never dreamed I would race a Funny Car, let alone win 50 races at the NHRA national level. So, it’s amazing.”

In an impressive display of skill, the four-time NHRA Mission World Funny Car Champion outpaced Daniel Wilkerson, J.R. Todd, and John Force, ultimately claiming his fourth Charlotte title with a remarkable 0.029-second reaction time. Hagan's victory solidifies his status as a dominant force in NHRA racing, further cementing his place in the sport's history.

Hagan's partner, the legendary Tony Stewart of NASCAR Hall of Fame, made it to the semifinals on Sunday with his TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel at Charlotte. This marked Stewart's fifth NHRA Top Fuel national event, where he achieved his fastest qualifying time at 3.713 and advanced to the semifinals with a time of 3.762.

“I love the Four-Wide events,” said Stewart. “Obviously, you want to make the final round and contend for a win. But we had our best qualifying run of the season (3.713). Then, in the semifinals, you have to race three of the toughest drivers in the business, and I left on all three of them. To leave on an honest light and have a great light, I’m very proud of that in my rookie year in Top Fuel. Overall, my lights were better than at Las Vegas, and I feel I’m learning with each race. And our team is gaining momentum with this Top Fuel car. I’m happy and proud of the progress of this team overall. I was extremely excited about having Matt in the final round and then win the race. It’s his 50th career NHRA Funny Car win. I’m so proud of Dickie (Venables, crew chief) and all of the Funny Car team as well. The competition in NHRA is tough and winning here in Charlotte with friends and family is special.”

During the semifinals, Stewart displayed the quickest reaction time among experienced racers Justin Ashley, Antron Brown, and Brittany Force. However, despite his impressive performance, his dragster lost traction and was unable to progress to the final round.

The upcoming NHRA event in Joliet, Illinois, is set to be an action-packed weekend of drag racing. The Nitro qualifying rounds are scheduled for Friday, May 17, at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. CDT, followed by Saturday’s sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. CDT. The Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals eliminations will take place on Sunday, May 19, at 11 a.m. CDT, with the final eliminations being televised at 4 p.m. EDT and 10 p.m. EDT on Fox Sports 1.