Hagan defeats Todd in final round at 2019 Arizona Nationals

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher 

Sandvik Coromant sponsored Funny Car pilot Matt Hagan picked up his first win of the 2019 season. He defeated 2018 Funny Car champion J.R. Todd in the final round of the 35th annual Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals on Sunday in Chandler, Arizona. 

Hagan went 3.890 at 325.06 mph to get the win. Todd had trouble immediately at the hit and did not register a time. 

This is Hagan’s third career win at the track. He joins Ron Capps and Jack Beckman with three wins at the track, as living legend John Force is the all-time leader with eight wins. 

In addition, this is Hagan’s first win since the NHRA New England Nationals on July 8, 2018 at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire. He also won this race with the Sandvik Coromant sponsorship on the car. 

Prior to this final round, Hagan had a 3-2 advantage over Todd in prior events. This is the first-time Hagan has beaten Todd in the final-round, as he was previously 0-2. 

Hagan now has 29 career wins in 54 final rounds. The Christiansburg, Virginia native won immediately at the hit. 

Todd backfired when the race started and dumped out his chutes, ending the race for him. He stopped after coasting to 100 feet. 

Hagan had a clean run to the finish line.