CONCORD, N.C. – Two-time Funny Car season champion Matt Hagan broke both ends of the zMAX Dragway track record to take the qualifying lead Friday in a rain-shortened session at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
Hagan powered his Dodge Charger to a 3.941-second run at 323.50 mph. He held off 16-time Funny Car champion John Force for the top spot. Force was second with a 3.946 at 323.50 in a Chevrolet Camaro.
"We needed that for our team, for (crew chief) Dickie Venables, for everybody that's been digging deep, working hard, trying to figure this stuff out," Hagan said. "That was one good run. We're happy for this Mopar to run that well right off the trailer."
The teams were only able to get in one of the two scheduled sessions before persistent rain showers moved in late in the afternoon.
Steve Torrence led in Top Fuel, Greg Anderson in Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle in the unique event that features racing in a four-lane configuration.
Torrence, the winner of the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, ran a 3.736 at 326.48 in his family-owned dragster. Anderson, who lives in nearby Mooresville, had a 6.577 at 209.65 in a Camaro, and Krawiec finished in 6.818 at 192.85 on a Harley-Davidson.
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