Matt Hagan’s vision for driving a Funny
Car went beyond what his mind could imagine. In a month, the former Pro
Modified driver will realize his dream when he fires his Torco-sponsored Funny
Car during the IHRA Texas Nationals in San Antonio, Texas.
Some of the grandest plans have humble
beginnings and for Hagan, a simple trip to watch the local racing at Elk Creek
Dragway located in the small town of Elk Creek, Virginia ignited his interest
in piloting a race car. Eight years old at the time, the visit had such a
profound affect on the youngster, Hagan was racing four-wheelers five years
later on Friday nights.
Once Matt was old enough to get a driver's
license, his father, David, invested in a drag car for his aspiring son.
“When I was 16 I got my first Chevy Nova,”
Hagan recalled. “I really didn’t know anything about race cars. The car was all
cleaned up and you could tell the guy who was selling it took good care of it.
He was telling me all about the car in terms that were Greek to me. I was in
way over my head. He could have sold me the biggest piece of junk in the world
and I would have been happy with it. Fortunately, it turned out to be a pretty
good car.
“We ran that car for about a year, then
decided to do some local Quick 8 races,” he said, continuing with his story.
“We bought another car, an old Trans Am with a 632 nitrous motor and two stages
of spray. We ran with a bunch of local guys and won a couple of races.