HAGAN LOOKING FOR FIRST EVER VICTORY IN SONOMA
Sonoma, CA – The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is in the midst of its Western Swing. It kicked off last weekend with the Dodge 
Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado, and continues this weekend with DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway before culminating with the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals July 29-31 at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington.
Hagan enter Sonoma representing DieHard. For more than 50 years, DieHard has been one of the automotive industry’s most recognizable brands. As America’s most trusted auto battery, DieHard Batteries are renowned for reliability, durability and starting power in the most extreme weather climates. DieHard is sold at Advance and participating Carquest Auto Parts locations nationwide.
Hagan is seeking his first victory in the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals. He has advanced to the finals three times – 2012 (5.462 ET at 146.67 mph, lost to Johnny Gray: 4.142 ET at 305.15 mph), 2019 (4.030 ET at 316.60 mph, lost to Robert Hight: 3.973 ET at 325.45 mph) and 2021 (3.991 ET at 324.44 mph, lost to Hight: 3.871 ET at 322.50 mph). Hagan has two No. 1 qualifiers at the event, which came in 2009 (4.068 ET at 307.51 mph) and 2013 (3.986 ET at 320.51 mph).
Matt Hagan, Driver of the DieHard Batteries Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car talks about Denver.
What adjustments do you have to make as a driver and as a team racing at sea level this weekend at Sonoma compared to the 5,800 feet of elevation you experienced last weekend at Bandimere Speedway?
“We’ll take everything off the car from Bandimere and put it on the shelf for next year, since the conditions are so different from Sonoma and the other tracks we visit. We’ll be running different rods, rod links and pistons at Sonoma and Seattle. At sea level, everything is crisper and quicker and easier on parts. As a racer, we get back into the groove of what we do on a normal basis. The elevation was tough on us in Denver, so I’m ready to hit the reset button at Sonoma and make more runs.”
You’ve advanced to the finals three times at Sonoma but you’re still looking your first win at the track. What would it mean to bring home a Wally from wine country?
“You want to win at every racetrack. Sonoma is one of the tracks that’s eluded me. I feel confident with the changes we’re making following Denver. I know the changes we’re making will allow the car to go back down the racetrack at a high rate of speed. We all pay attention to the championship points hunt, so we want to put this DieHard Batteries Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car in the top spot and have that cushion at the reset of the Countdown. Every qualifying point, and points during the race, make a difference.”
