Matt Hagan Wins Big in Dodge//SRT at NHRA Midwest Nationals

Over this past weekend, Dodge//SRT racers Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett made a big splash at the NHRA Midwest Nationals, earning an event win and a runner-up finish respectively. After some near misses at the events in Reading and Charlotte the past two weeks, Hagan and Pruett took a more intense approach that ended up paying off in Brownsburg.

Hagan, supported by his crew led by Dickie Venables, has been racing in the TSR American Rebel Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car. The NHRA Midwest Nationals were a crucial event for him. Hagan’s victory here has put him back in the running for a fourth NHRA World title.

“We wanted to be aggressive going into these last four events,” said Hagan. “Dickie and I had a long talk about our plans to run for the championship and he said, ‘I need you to be great on the starting line,’ and I said to him, ‘I need you to be more aggressive with the race car.’ We are working hand and hand, and it worked well today. I wanted Leah to get a win today too, for a TSR double.

“Man, we are back in this thing for the championship, just 13 points back with third races to go. I know we are capable as a team to win another title. Beating Ron Capps in the final was big for us. I have a lot of respect for Ron, Guido (Dean Antonelli, crew chief) and that team. And beating them is a big win for us.”

“We knew coming here that we needed a win,” said DIckie Venables. “It was a very tricky track here this weekend and we did a great job managing it. Hagan did a super job all weekend driving, and I can’t say enough about the guys who work on this car. They work their hearts out and give us a flawless setup every round. We are excited with this win.”

Leah Pruett, driving the TSR Code 3 Associates Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster, also impressed at this event.

“What an incredible and solid weekend for our team, not only making points progress overall, but we’ve had the most reactive car to our tune-up changes we’ve had all season,” said Pruett. “I’m extremely proud of this team. The crew’s work ethic has been maintained throughout this whole season and that shows the attention to detail of the car.”

Only time will tell how the rest of the season will shake out. If you’re interested in staying up to date on all of the latest Dodge and Ram news, including racing updates like this, make sure you continue to read our blog here at Keller Brothers Dodge Ram!