CONCORD, N.C. — Matt Hagan raced to the first sub-four- second funny car run in NHRA history during Friday night qualifying at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.
Hagan joined Larry Dixon (top fuel), Jason Line (pro stock) and Eddie Krawiec (pro stock motorcycle) as provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 17th of 22 events in the NHRA Full Throttle drag racing series.
Hagan made NHRA history when he powered his Dodge Charger to a 3.995-second run at 316.23 mph.
“To be a part of history and be the first person in the three-second range, that’s something that they can never take away from you,” Hagan said. “I just can’t say enough about Tommy DeLago (crew chief). What a mad scientist that guy is to put a race car like that underneath me.”
Childress denies giving order
JOLIET, Ill. — Richard Childress denied that his team ordered Paul Menard to cause an intentional caution at Richmond, but NASCAR said officials are investigating anyway.
Menard spun with 16 laps remaining and Jeff Gordon leading last Saturday night’s race. The drivers pitted under caution, RCR driver Kevin Harvick was first off pit road, and he held off Gordon to win his fourth race of the season.
Gordon has called the timing of the caution “a little fishy.” Childress said it’s much ado about nothing.
“There were no team orders despite all the speculation in the media,” he said.
Trucks Series.
Austin Dillon took the lead during the final round of pit stops and held off Harvick for his second win this season.
