Defending Funny Car champion Matt Hagan wins season-opening NHRA Winternationals
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Defending Funny Car champion Matt Hagan opened the season with a victory Sunday in the NHRA Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
After overcoming a spectacular engine explosion during qualifying Friday, Hagan rallied to qualify 12th on Saturday and powered his Dodge Charger R/T to four round victories Sunday.
In the final, Hagan had a 4.011-second run at 320.89 mph to hold off his teammate Ron Capps. Capps' Charger finished in 4.078 at 314.90.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Shawn Langdon won in Top Fuel, and Jason Line topped the Pro Stock field.