The contender for the 2009 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award as an NHRA rookie-of-the-year frontrunner is not in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, but wants to take home a "Wally" (winner's trophy named after NHRA founder Wally Parks) before the season is over.

"I'm really looking forward to this weekend," said Hagan, a two-time runner-up this year who manages his family's 500-acre Angus Cattle farm in Christiansburg during the week. "It's one of my hometown races, and I'm sure there will be a lot of my friends there who grew up around drag racing with me. I'll be excited to see them.

"I know the track. I've tested there with my car last year, and ran several Pro Mod races there. It's a good track, and if we get a good car underneath us I think we'll have a good weekend."

"Tommy (DeLago, crew chief) is working hard to do that," added Hagan, who will drive the red shelor.com Funny Car this weekend. "These Funny Cars have so many variables, that it's hit or miss sometimes. Hopefully we can figure it all out and get a Wally before the year is up.

"I was gong to race in the NHRA event at VMP last year," said Hagan, who entered four NHRA events in 2008 with his own team, "but that was the one race I had to sit out of so I could still be eligible for rookie status this year.

"I think the track will definitely be tight there. When we come off the asphalt you'll probably see a little tire spin on the top end, but I think these crew chiefs are going to run as hard as they can run down low and try to make up as much ET (elapsed time) as possible and let it carry through out the back door.

"We should see great conditions out there and hopefully no rain. I think it's going to be a fast race. All the fans are going to be in for a great show."

MATT HAGAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 12 in 2009 Funny Car point standings, as a Rookie-of-the-Year frontrunner
* Has 12 first-round, six quarterfinal, one semifinal and two runner-up finishes so far in 2009
* Qualified on his first pole in Sonoma, Calif., this year
* 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), one daughter Penny Louise (9/28/09)
* Quickest elapsed time to 1000 feet so far: 4.068 seconds (Sonoma 2009)
* Fastest speed to 1000 feet so far: 307.51 mph (Sonoma 2009)
* Manages family 500-acre Angus Cattle farm in Virginia

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 9 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at 1:30 and 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 10 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at noon and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 11 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 10, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 11, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 11, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7p.m. (ET).

Courtesy of Judy Stropus