Everyone Likes To Pick On a Rookie; Hagan Picks Back …

Matt Hagan is quickly learning that being a rookie on the NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car tour can sometimes be hell. The first year driver of the Shelor.com Dodge Charger for Don Schumacher Racing has taken a few lumps along the way, but as of late, the Christianburg, Va.native has given back a few jabs in return.

Clearly the 27-year old cattle farmer knows that’s the only way he’ll survive in what has become the most competitive nitro division on the tour.

Everyone Likes To Pick On a Rookie; Hagan Picks Back …

Matt Hagan is quickly learning that being a rookie on the NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car tour can sometimes be hell. The first year driver of the Shelor.com Dodge Charger for Don Schumacher Racing has taken a few lumps along the way, but as of late, the Christianburg, Va.native has given back a few jabs in return.

Clearly the 27-year old cattle farmer knows that’s the only way he’ll survive in what has become the most competitive nitro division on the tour.

Getting tested early comes with the territory. Hagan smiles when recollecting a few drivers who have already tested his mettle in the first five events.

“I think they test you to see what works and what doesn’t – to rattle you,” Hagan admitted. “It’s one of those things where you can turn the tables and learn a bit about them too. You learn how some people are going to act towards you and you try to counteract that. Sometimes you learn who the drivers are that you are going to have to wait on and the ones you will need to start your burnout earlier for. You learn the drivers as you go along but there’s no doubt some games get played. You just can’t let that get to you.”

Just recently Hagan earned one of his battle stripes when crossing paths with a well-experienced driver who engaged in a staging battle of sorts with him. Come hell or high water, Hagan was not going to stage first. The veteran finally conceded and staged first.

“You have to go in there with a game plan and just stick to it,” Hagan explained. “You can’t let them push you around out there and it can be easy to get intimidated. You make your mind up and stick to your game plan. Don’t budge from it because it’s easy to get shook up on the starting line. You can get out of your routine and before you know it, you’re doing something you shouldn't be.
Hagan exited his car at the finish line expecting words to be exchanged. Those words never came. He was surprised because he expected a tense situation for sticking to his guns.

“You always are,” Hagan admitted. “It’s easy to get upset and hot-headed in these cars. You’re always ready for someone to get out and say something. You have to deal with tempers amongst the stress of racing. Hopefully it never escalates into a violent situation.”

In the unlikely case that Hagan were suckered into fisticuffs, he can likely hold his own considering his stature is that of a middle linebacker, a position he played about a decade ago in high school football.

A hulking figure doesn’t always suit a nitro driver.

“Right now that doesn’t work in my favor,” Hagan admitted. “Don Schumacher already wants me to lose thirty pounds and about the only way I could do that is to cut a leg off or something. I stopped wearing medium and large t-shirts a long time ago.”

Hagan drove his way to a runner-up finish at the last stop on the tour in Las Vegas, losing in the finals to teammate Ron Capps at the SummitRacing.com Nationals.

He’s earned the respect of his crew, however, he’s quickly learning that respect doesn’t make one exempt from ragging on the rookie.

“They’re non-stop and a lot of the guys on this team are pretty good practical jokesters,” Hagan admitted. “I’m okay with that because it is part of the initiation process. I’ve seen people getting hazed in fraternities and they let me off easy. Some of the stuff is pretty good and it keeps me laughing. I just try to roll with the punches.”

The best practical joke to this point has been the fake high-five and someone snapped a picture of it.

“They made this poster shot of me reaching up to give a high five and while they’re high fiving one another at the bowling alley, I’m left out in the cold with my hand in the air,” Hagan said, breaking into a laugh. “They left the picture up there for all to see. They’re all good guys. They just like giving me a hard time. That’s what they do to rookies I guess.”

 

Advertisement