Johnny Gray in his Mopar-powered Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) advanced to the final-round of the 27th Annual NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa., near Reading on Monday, Oct. 3, after eliminations were postponed on Sunday, Oct. 2 by rain following the first two rounds.
Gray, the No. 1 qualifier, dispatched Leah Pruett in the first round, before defeating Mike Neff in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Gray matched up with No. 12 qualifier Bob Tasca III. Gray used a run of 4.022-seconds at 310.55 mph to move into the final-round, where he fell to Robert Hight.
Matt Hagan in his Mopar-powered (DSR) Funny Car reached the quarterfinals at Reading, which helped him move into the top spot in the standings with three races remaining in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Hagan began the weekend as the No. 3 qualifier, downing Blake Alexander in the first round, before falling to Robert Hight in the quarters. Teammates Jack Beckman and Ron Capps both exited in the first round.
"We’ve made up a lot of points since the Countdown began," said Hagan. "But there’s still a lot of racing left and we have to continue to go rounds. I’m the best example of how quickly things can change (going from sixth to second after winning the opening Countdown race in Charlotte)."
Next up for the Mopar-powered NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series competitors is the 27th Annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. near Phoenix, Oct. 14–Oct. 16. For more information on the NHRA, visit NHRA.com.
Gray, the No. 1 qualifier, dispatched Leah Pruett in the first round, before defeating Mike Neff in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Gray matched up with No. 12 qualifier Bob Tasca III. Gray used a run of 4.022-seconds at 310.55 mph to move into the final-round, where he fell to Robert Hight.
Matt Hagan in his Mopar-powered (DSR) Funny Car reached the quarterfinals at Reading, which helped him move into the top spot in the standings with three races remaining in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Hagan began the weekend as the No. 3 qualifier, downing Blake Alexander in the first round, before falling to Robert Hight in the quarters. Teammates Jack Beckman and Ron Capps both exited in the first round.
"We’ve made up a lot of points since the Countdown began," said Hagan. "But there’s still a lot of racing left and we have to continue to go rounds. I’m the best example of how quickly things can change (going from sixth to second after winning the opening Countdown race in Charlotte)."
Next up for the Mopar-powered NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series competitors is the 27th Annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. near Phoenix, Oct. 14–Oct. 16. For more information on the NHRA, visit NHRA.com.
