Matt Hagan won the Route 66 NHRA Nationals
JOLIET, Ill. (AP) Matt Hagan won the Route 66 NHRA Nationals on Sunday to end an 11-event victory drought, beating Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. in the Funny Car final.
Hagan, the 2011 Funny Car season champion, had a pass of 4.098 seconds at 310.48 mph in his Dodge Charger for his 11th career victory and first since the since the season-ending race in Pomona last year.
''We've been working at it this year,'' said Hagan, a three-time winner in Joliet. ''It's been a very humbling year for us. Last year we came out and won five races and you kind of think you are going to set the world on fire the following year.''
Antron Brown won in Top Fuel, Vincent Nobile topped the Pro Stock field, and Hector Arana Jr. won in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Brown raced to his fourth victory of the season, beating Brittany Force with a 3.814 at 317.34. He has four wins at Route 66 Raceway, two in Top Fuel and two in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Nobile drove his Chevy Camaro to a 6.655 at 208.01 to edge KB Racing teammate Jason Line. Arana beat father and teammate Hector Arana with a 6.925 at 193.93 on a Buell.