SONOMA, Calif. – Matt Hagan topped Funny Car qualifying Saturday in the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
No one bettered Hagan's track-record run of 3.986 seconds at 320.51 mph in his Dodge Charger from Friday, giving the Virginia driver his third No. 1 of the year and 13th overall. The 2011 series champion has three event victories this season.
"Dickie (Venables, crew chief) and the Magneti Marelli/Rocky Boots guys put a great horse underneath me that I had the opportunity to ride without messing it up," Hagan said. "This team has a lot of confidence after starting the year being thrown together at the last minute. I knew Dickie was good, but I had no idea that he was this good."
David Grubnic led the Top Fuel field, Mike Edwards was the fastest in Pro Stock, and Matt Smith topped the Pro Stock Motorcycle division.
Grubnic raced to his first No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 10th of his career with a pass of 3.765 at 324.28. Edwards earned his 11th No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 52nd overall with a 6.526 at 212.56. Smith powered his Buell to a 6.838 at 195.73.