Taking full advantage of the mine shaft air and hard biting track at zMax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, Matt Hagan and his team became the first to break into the three-second zone on a 1,000ft NHRA Nitro Funny Car pass. While the performance is certainly noteworthy is it one of those moments that will be sealed in the historical annals of drag racing and remembered over time or will it be a bit of a shoulder shrug moment in the historical record of the sport.
Busting through second increments is normally a big deal at the drags. We all know who was driving the first six-second door slammer, or who went into the four second time slot with a Top Fuel dragster first. Hell, those like us that are total drag dorks can usually give you a date and place where this stuff happened. Will that happen with this moment?
Here’s the question of the day – Was Matt Hagan’s 3-second lap a truly historical moment or just another day at the drags? Do you care about it?
It was going to happen. And, to answer your question; No.
What really should be looked at here is that Dan Olson and the rev limiter are no doing anything to slow down either TF or FC.
Time for another $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ test.
AS Big said on Windtunnel side by side 420 at 275 in 1/4 mile is what we need.
everyone keeps $$$ down fans see side by side racing.
Being the first to break into 3 seconds is an important milestone. Congratulations to Matt.
I guess I’ll always be a 1320′ fan. NHRA can talk all they want about records, it ain’t quarter mile racing folks, it’s something like IHRA, that also ain’t real racing in the drag racing world, that’s just booked in shows with fake champions. When was the last time you saw full stands. Just look at Z-Max this past weekend, lots of fans stayed away. And don’t blame the weather.
DGAF about NHRA any more
I watch the results on NHRA.com. I stop paying attention after the Illinois low buck nitro times are eliminated or don’t qualify.
With all the money Schumacher spends they should be running in the 2s. So no, I don’t care.
If you want to see some racing, catch some drag radial cars or Pro Mods. TF, TFFC, and Pro Stock are boring- who cares about 1000 foot racing? If you want to slow the cars down, do it, but don’t shorten the track….
Not even the slightest bit of interest in 1,000 foot racing, or modern NHRA racing. NHRA sucks, the administartors are not worthy of working under the guise of NHRA. Drag Racing is two cars, and 1/4 mile. Period.
Garlets has it right.
Slow the cars to 300mph,go back to 1/4 mile.
Using the parts they have now,can last with 8000hp,they will last longer at 6000hp.
Then once a year run a race with one lane,no side by side,and let it all hang out! 350mph will come.But no fans at the finish line.
Take away fuel and tire for side by side,I think the old man has got it right,too bad nobody will listen….
No I don’t care,it aint 1/4 mile,it aint a “record”.
Now that they are going faster and quicker what was the point of 1000′? Been going to Bowling Green since 1000′ started and will not go back to NHRA. Don’t do 1/8 events either. Too old to change now.
Are we going to look at 0-60 ft. times next as records?
If it aint 1320 feet its not real drag racing. PERIOD!
I have not really cared about “professional” drag racing since it became sanitized and corporatized in the late 70’s early 80’s era. The edgy and the outlaws were killed off in the name of clean family fun and maximum $$$$
Whatever the track length is does not really matter.
I think its cool, but go back to 1320 ft and build the tracks with longer shutdowns and look for new technology on keeping the cars safe. Slowing down the cars and 1000 ft is boring. I would rather watch Pro Mod or some of the awesome street car racing now.
even though the short 1000′ foot distance places an asterisk next to it.
And that record-setter is one of the ugliest drag cars I’ve ever seen.
BTW, I’ve been down on “unlimited” NHRA racing ever since they said no modern production technologies, such as turbos, four-valve heads, EFI and cammers in the pro classes. (Ohio George Montgomery and Buddy Ingersoll got hosed by Wally’s gang)
Drag racing would be better if it went back to a cheaper, more production-based, grassroots formula (no carbon fiber unless mass production OEM, no jacketless or wide-bore aftermarket blocks, floppers and pro stocks based on factory stock templates, single ignitions and single fuel pumps on fuelers, No 18-wheeler haulers or super teams, any factory-installed parts or technologies are legal . . . .)
never been to a single NHRA nationals event or divisionals event…no plans to ever attend one until the 1320ft rule is brought back to all classes.
I guess i would be one of the modern day edgy outlaws, bring back 1320ft, leave the technology,improve the safety as much as possible, otherwise, leave it alone, if I die at 330+mph so be it, at least I would die a happy man
The Wally trophy should be put to rest along with all the 1/4 mile gladiators that earned it.
The new trophy should have Tom Compton just standing there holding a suit case full of money.
He and Graham Light have killed the sport.
1000 foot drag racing sucks!!!!!!!!!!!
Ugly cars abd the 1000 ft races are the reason for the booming nostalgia dragsters.
Still don’t see the point of 1000 ft vs. the old 1320……..oh yeah! it’s 320 feet longer. I guess he would have not cracked the 3’s had it been a true 1/4 mile!! just sayin’
zzzzzz. damn, did someone nudge me? 1000 feet? My driveway is longer than that……