Freightliner Trucks, a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, has been a DSR associate sponsor for five years and DSR has used Freightliner tractors since 2004. The team currently counts eight Freightliner tractors among its fleet.

"Freightliner Trucks is excited to team up with Don Schumacher Racing to sponsor Matt Hagan in Englishtown," said Melissa Clausen, Director Product Marketing, Freightliner Trucks. "The once-in-a-lifetime experience DSR provides our dealers and customers is something they will remember for years to come. We are truly privileged to be a part of the team."

Said team owner Don Schumacher: "We welcome Freightliner Trucks on board in such a visible capacity after five years as an associate sponsor and supplying us with outstanding equipment. Featuring Freightliner on the Funny Car Matt Hagan drives in Englishtown is our way of showing our appreciation to them for being such a solid and longtime supporter of our teams."

Old Bridge Township Raceway in Englishtown, N.J., is not a new venue for the NHRA Rookie-of the-Year contender. He competed there in last year's national event and also in the Pro Mod class. It's also relatively close to his home in Christiansburg, Va.

"I am thrilled to be representing Freightliner Trucks at Englishtown," said Hagan, who is also supported by Shelor.com. "The new design is very dramatic and I hope I can put the car into the winner's circle there.

"My family likes to come to Englishtown. So, I expect I'll have some family there because they have always enjoyed the races at Old Bridge.

"It's a good, fast track," he added. "We're just going to go in there and attack it with all the resources we have at DSR to finally win our first race this season. Tommy DeLago (crew chief) knows how to put a good car under me, and I expect no less from him and the rest of the Freightliner/Shelor.com crew this weekend."

Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America, the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty vehicles in North America and a leading manufacturer of medium-duty vehicles. Daimler Trucks North America designs, builds and markets a wide range of Class 3-8 vehicles including long-haul highway tractors, heavy-duty construction and vocational trucks, mid-range trucks for distribution and service, school and transit buses, fire and emergency service apparatus and chassis for step vans, school and shuttle buses and motor homes.

MATT HAGAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 7 in 2009 Funny Car point standings, as a Rookie-of-the-Year frontrunner
* Has four first-round, four quarterfinal, one semifinal and one runner-up finish so far in 2009
* Is 71 points short of fifth place in standings
* Entered NHRA Funny Car class four times in 2008, qualifying once at the U.S. Nationals
* 2006 NHRA AMS Pro Mod Challenge Rookie of the Year
* First season with Don Schumacher Racing
* Won class-best three Funny Car events in 2008 IHRA series, ending season third in point standings
* Born Nov. 11, 1982 in Salem, Va., lives in Christiansburg, Va.
* Married to Rachel; one son, Colby (10/27/06), daughter on the way
* Quickest elapsed time to 1000 feet so far: 4.098 seconds (Phoenix 2009)
* Fastest speed to 1000 feet so far: 306.12 mph (Atlanta 2009)
* Manages family 500-acre Angus Cattle farm in Virginia

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, June 12 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 3 and 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, June 13 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at noon and 3 p.m.
SUNDAY, June 14 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, June 13, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET).
Saturday, June 13, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 11:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, June 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at noon (ET).
Sunday, June 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of coverage starting at 10 p.m. (ET).

Courtesy of Judy Stropus