Everything looked so promising for Matt Hagan when the season began.

A win and a number one qualifier to open the year in Pomona had Hagan and team in good spirits as they began the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello campaign in the best possible position - on top.

Since then, however, it has been a different story.

In the seven races since Pomona, Hagan has qualified inside the top five only once and has recorded a ho-hum 9-7 round win-loss record. But Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane Funny Car are hoping to turn that narrative around beginning this weekend.

Hagan hit the reset button on his season and returned to what he and crew chief Dickie Venables do best, climbing to the top of the charts with the provisional top spot Friday at the 21st JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

“There has been a lot of stuff we have had to change the last three or four races to get to where we are at right now. It is always difficult with a Funny Car no matter what you do. You can have perfect conditions, have a great run and even then you are relying on the parts and pieces to be there,” Hagan said. “When it comes together, that is what makes it really nice. That was just a good, solid run to work off of for this whole weekend. I am really proud of my guys.”

Hagan ran a 3.917-second pass at 326.79 mph to earn the provisional pole position, just edging teammate Ron Capps, who had a 3.921 at 325.92 mph one pass earlier. Jack Beckman qualified third with a 3.944 at 322.81 mph, giving Don Schumacher Racing a clean sweep of the top three spots.

“Honestly, it was a great run and something we can build off of,” said Hagan, who would earn his 32nd career number one qualifier if his time holds on Saturday. “Coming out of Topeka, I feel like we closed the gap on Courtney (Force) and some of the cars that were running strong. And I know, for Dickie Venables, with enough runs, he starts to get everything dialed in.

“I am very, very confident in the moves that we have been making and the direction we are heading. The car is handling really well and the setup is there.

“And this is just a great track. I’ve had a lot of history here. I’ve won some races, I’ve had some world records and the fans are always great here. I am just glad to be back at (Route) 66 and having some fun laying down a good number.”

If Hagan’s time holds, it will snap a string of three-consecutive number one qualifiers for points leader Force, who has qualified either first or second at seven-straight events. Currently, Force sits fourth on the charts.

“We set the car up to run an 88 which we thought it could definitely hold,” Hagan said. “Then seeing Capps run a 92 right in front of us, I could see Dickie in there doing his thing and I could see the wheels turning and I knew if we could get past the tree we were going to make a good run.”

Hagan’s strong Friday run also gives his team the opportunity to throw caution to the wind on Saturday, trying to better their time from day one and hold on to the top spot.

“It really gives us the confidence to roll into these night sessions Saturday,” Hagan said. “It loosens up that ability to throw down knowing that we don’t have anything to lose and we can see what this thing can do.”