NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year contender Matt Hagan will be sporting a new look headed into Gainesville. Gone is the Brakesafe livery and replaced with his family's Shelor.com colors.

Hagan confirmed the change in sponsors but declined to provide any details.

"In these tough economic times, I think it's a good thing to support our family business," he added.

Shelor.com is a 24/7 web site, representing eight new-car franchises and a used-car super store in Southwest Virginia. As one of the largest automotive groups in the nation, it provides a huge selection with big-volume discounts.

The switching of sponsorships is expected to make barely a ripple in the waters for the up-and-coming rookie driver.

Hagan's rookie season is already off to a good start with the Virginia native has qualifying for each of the first two races and winning his first round of pro Funny Car competition at the last event in Phoenix. Standing No. 10 in the rankings, he's aiming to win even more rounds this weekend, driving the Shelor.com Dodge Funny Car.

NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year contender Matt Hagan will be sporting a new look headed into Gainesville. Gone is the Brakesafe livery and replaced with his family's Shelor.com colors.

Hagan confirmed the change in sponsors but declined to provide any details.

"In these tough economic times, I think it's a good thing to support our family business," he added.

Shelor.com is a 24/7 web site, representing eight new-car franchises and a used-car super store in Southwest Virginia. As one of the largest automotive groups in the nation, it provides a huge selection with big-volume discounts.

The switching of sponsorships is expected to make barely a ripple in the waters for the up-and-coming rookie driver.

Hagan's rookie season is already off to a good start with the Virginia native has qualifying for each of the first two races and winning his first round of pro Funny Car competition at the last event in Phoenix. Standing No. 10 in the rankings, he's aiming to win even more rounds this weekend, driving the Shelor.com Dodge Funny Car.

"It feels great," he said of his strong season start. "I think we have a great race car underneath us. And we were right there in the middle of the pack in qualifying in Phoenix (No. 8 qualifier). It shows that we can run with everybody out there. So, I'm excited to get to Gainesville. I've always had a lot of success there in the Pro Mod class. I like the track.. It has plenty of shut-down area, it's a historic race and there are always a lot of fans there, so it's pretty cool. And, I actually got my Alcohol Funny Car license from Frank Hawley there in 2004."

Hagan's confidence level has risen but he'll quickly testify that he's a long way from being a "seasoned veteran."

"I don't think I'll ever feel like I'm a seasoned veteran," he said with a laugh, "even years from now. You're always learning in these cars. Every lap is different and you just take it, run with it and learn from it. I definitely feel more comfortable in the car but I certainly don't feel like a seasoned veteran."

But he does get support from a true seasoned veteran, his teammate Ron Capps, winner of the first two Funny Car events of the season in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge. "Ron's been spectacular as far as coming over and giving me a few pointers here and there," said Hagan. "He's really gone out of his way to be nice and to offer some opinions. That goes a long way in my book."