Hagan wins his second straight Gatornationals; defeats Todd

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Tony Stewart Racing Dodge SRT and Direct Connection-sponsored Funny Car Matt Hagan has won the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals for the second straight season. He defeated DHL Toyota Supra Funny Car driver J.R. Todd in the final round.

Hagan went 3.926 at 329.34 mph to get the win. Todd went 4.141 at 239.95 mph in the losing effort.

“For this team, we were just running strong, and to come out and win the first race of the season, it’s just amazing,” Hagan, who is fourth all-time in Funny Car wins, said. “I’m just in awe of our team right now. I knew it was going to be a good race and honestly J.R. poked out there in front of me, and then something happened over there to him and we drove around him and turn on the win light.

“This car is just running strong. It’s just it’s an honor to just even be in that caliber of drivers is incredible. it’s a huge honor for me to be able to be fourth all the time.”

Before this final round, according to dragracecentral.com, Hagan had a 12-4 advantage against Todd in previous rounds. However, Todd held a 2-1 advantage in final rounds.

Hagan is now 44-36 in final rounds. Todd dropped to 19-23 in his final rounds.

Both drivers left the starting line at the same time with a 0.54 reaction time. Shortly thereafter, Todd took the early lead.

Todd got out to lead then at approximately the 500-foot mark, he began to experience problems with his Kalitta Racing ride. His engine exploded around the 600-foot mark.

When Todd experienced his problems, Hagan sailed past him for the win.

The Virginia native won by 0.2155 seconds. Or he won by approximately 76 feet.