This wasn’t zMax Dragway at Charlotte, N.C.

Mother Nature, more specifically rain, changed the venue for the Carolina Nationals to the Texas Motorplex Saturday.

This wasn’t zMax Dragway at Charlotte, N.C.

Mother Nature, more specifically rain, changed the venue for the Carolina Nationals to the Texas Motorplex Saturday.

It made for a hectic schedule – but Matt Hagan, the 2011 NHRA nitro Funny Car world champ, wasn’t complaining Saturday afternoon.

Hagan defeated his rival 16-time world champion John Force in the finals.

Hagan clocked a 4.212-second time and was handed the win when Force had a redlight start.

“It was hot,” said Hagan, the driver of the Rocky Boots Don Schumacher Dodge. “(Saturday night) we are going to be partying with pedialyte. It has been one of those deals where we had so much going on. My guys busted their butts (Saturday). I’m so proud of them. They are just a great group.”

This was Hagan’s 12th career victory and he now has three wins at Charlotte – 2011, 2013 and 2014.

“I wouldn’t trade Dickie Venables for any crew chief out here,” Hagan said. “The guy is smart and methodical. This is our second year together and we still have a lot of growing to do. Dickie has a game plan and we don’t want to go out there and press. We want to get that data and go down the track so we have something to work off. That’s what we did and Dickie was able to just put a car that was phenomenal under me (Saturday). It went down the track every lap and that was huge.”

It didn’t take Hagan long to realize he beat the legendary Force.

“I think as soon as it took off,” Hagan said. “He was so early. I don’t even know if I ran it all the way because I didn’t want to do something stupid on the other end. I was either dead late or he was really early and I feel pretty confident about my lights out there and I didn’t think I was dead late. I just thought he was pretty early. John is a great racer and I’m glad we have a little rivalry. We need that out here in this sport, it can’t be all kissy, kissy all the time. He’s the man to beat and he's proven it all year long.”

Hagan defeated Tony Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson, Robert Hight and Force for the win.

“The Countdown gives us another shot to come back out here and really take this thing over,” Hagan said. “I don’t know what (Sunday) brings all I know I’m happy with the outcome (Saturday) and we still have to get focused for (Sunday). Everything changes for (Sunday). This sport is so humbling it is crazy.”

Hagan qualified No. 6 for the Texas FallNationals and will meet Bob Tasca III in Sunday's first round.

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