(Image/NHRA)
Matt Hagan remains on a tear as one of NHRA’s hottest drivers, as he won his second straight event of the season at the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, NH.
Steve Torrence in Top Fuel, and Chris McGaha in Pro Stock were also winners in their respective categories at the 13th of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Hagan powered to the winner’s circle with a run of 4.156 seconds at 292.01 miles per hour in his Dodge Charger R/T to take down Tim Wilkerson’s 4.181 at 287.35 in Ford Shelby Mustang. Hagan secured his third win in 2018 and has now earned victories at New England Dragway in back-to-back years.
“We’ve got a good racecar, we were the #1 qualifier, and this car just continues to go down the track,” Hagan said. “This car is responding well to what Dickie Venables is asking it to do, and that makes my confidence continue to grow.”
Hagan took down Terry Haddock, and teammates Tommy Johnson Jr. and Ron Capps on his way to victory.
Wilkerson qualified ninth and defeated J.R. Todd, Jack Beckman, and Shawn Langdon as he reached his first final round of the season.
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Torrence Wins Top Fuel
Torrence notched his fifth victory of the year by beating Antron Brown in the final round with a 3.909 at 320.74 in his dragster to Brown’s 3.948 at 315.12. Torrence notched his first career win in Epping as he continues to build on his points lead in the Top Fuel class.
“This was a rough weekend but my team did an excellent job of adjusting to the track prep and the conditions out here,” Torrence said. “Our team is more well-rounded than it has ever been, and that gives me confidence every time I get in this car.”
Torrence entered the day qualified third as he defeated Dan Mercier, Shawn Reed, and Tony Schumacher en route to victory.
Brown qualified 12th on the weekend and bested Clay Millican, defending world champion Brittany Force, and top-qualifier Leah Pritchett as he reached his first final round of 2018.
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McGaha Wins Pro Stock
McGaha took home the win in the Pro Stock class with a 6.570 at 211.10 in his Chevrolet Camaro in the final round to take down Erica Enders who red-lit. McGaha secured his second win of the season and first since Phoenix as he becomes the fourth driver in the class to record multiple victories in 2018.
“We knew we needed to be aggressive in the final round against Erica [Enders], and we were lucky enough to end up winning that one,” McGaha said. “It’s been a very competitive year in this class so we are happy with any wins we can get.”
McGaha qualified ninth and beat Jeg Coughlin Jr., #1 qualifier Greg Anderson, and Kenny Delco on his path to victory.
Enders qualified second on the weekend and defeated Alan Prusiensky, Matt Hartford, and Vincent Nobile as she took over the category points lead with her fifth runner-up finish of the season.
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The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, CO, July 20-22.
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NHRA Pro Stock Point Standings
1. Erica Enders 936 2. Greg Anderson 920 3. Tanner Gray 917 4. Vincent Nobile 893 5. Drew Skillman 808
NHRA Funny Car Point Standings
1. Courtney Force 1,069 2. Matt Hagan 914 3. Jack Beckman 847 4. Ron Capps 834 5. Robert Hight 829
NHRA Top Fuel Point Standings
1. Steve Torrence 1,086 2. Tony Schumacher 896 3. Clay Millican 881 4. Leah Prichett 820 5. Doug Kalitta 801
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Point Standings
1. Andrew Hines 454 2. Eddie Krawiec 401 3. LE Tonglet 367 4. Scotty Pollacheck 332 5. Hector Arana Jr. 317
Drag Race Central and NHRA contributed to this report.
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