NHRA rookie Hagan snags No. 8 in Phoenix qualifying

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
Round 2 of 24
NHRA Arizona Nationals
Firebird International Raceway
Chandler, Ariz.
Feb. 20-22, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net

NHRA ROOKIE CONTENDER HAGAN SNAGS NO. 8 IN PHOENIX QUALIFYING

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 21, 2009) - NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year contender Matt
Hagan enjoyed four full qualifying sessions, dry weather and good track
conditions to qualify the BrakeSafe Rear-End Collision Avoidance System
Dodge Funny Car in the No. 8 spot for the NHRA Arizona Nationals.

In only his second national event driving for Don Schumacher Racing, Hagan
posted his quickest pass in his first attempt on Friday, a 4.106-second lap
at 298.93 mph, which was followed by a 5.156/143.69, a 7.332/93.21 and
another strong 4.131/300.20 in the final session.

"I think we have a good handle on the BrakeSafe Rear-End Collision Avoidance
System car right now," said Hagan, who faces Pomona runner-up Jim Head in
the opening round of eliminations. "We have lane choice, so I feel confident
that we'll pick the better lane out there. It's going to be a good race
tomorrow. Jim Head is right there in No. 9 so I think it's going to be a
tight race.

"I think we've got the advantage right now because we're going down the race
track and we're doing well.

"Tommy (crew chief DeLago) has a good handle on the car and I feel good
about that left lane, and I think we'll be just fine. We'll just wake up
tomorrow and see how it goes."

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