MADISON, Ill. (AP) Matt Hagan broke the Funny Car speed mark Saturday, reaching 330.470 mph Saturday in qualifying for the Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.
Hagan's time of 3.883 seconds was the second-quickest in NHRA history. The three-team season champion raced to his fourth No. 1 qualifying position of the season in his Dodge Charger R/T.
''It took a lot of courage for Dickie (Venables, crew chief) to make big, drastic changes to this car since the Western Swing,'' Hagan said. ''It's cool to see the changes that he made work and give everybody confidence.''
Steve Torrence took the No. 1 spot in Top Fuel, Greg Anderson led Pro Stock qualifying, and Jerry Savoie topped the Pro Stock Motorcycle field in the second of six events in the Countdown to the Championship.
Torrence ran a 3.718 at 328.22 to break both track records. Anderson had a 6.492 at 213.27 in a Chevy Camaro, and Savoie had a 6.832 at 196.50 on Friday on a Suzuki.
