Driving the Shelor.com Dodge Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing, Hagan has dealt with many challenges in his rookie year, including an illness he's been trying to shake off before he competes here this weekend at the penultimate event of the 2009 season.

The 26-year-old Angus Cattle farmer from Virginia is out of the Countdown to 1 playoffs and is in 12th place, but his runner-up finish here earlier this year has boosted his and the team's confidence. He and the shelor.com team believe they have the performance and wherewithal to earn themselves a win.

"This is Vegas," said Hagan. "We did well here before, so I know (crew chief) Tommy (DeLago) can go back to his notes and put another good race car under me this weekend. I feel that with the success we had here at the beginning of the year, we should be able to roll into town and hit the ground running.

"I'm really looking forward to racing here, and at the finale in Pomona (Calif.) in two weeks. We need to get qualified well and make some laps. I think that our season has been kind of hit or miss. We've either been on or we've been off, so I really want to get back into the race car and hope that we're on for this weekend.

"I've been enjoying a break (two weekends off following four back-to-back events), even though the farm still needs my attention every day. I've needed the rest because I've been sick. But, I'm feeling a lot better now and I'm ready to get back to racing at The Strip."

MATT HAGAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 12 in 2009 Funny Car point standings, as a Rookie-of-the-Year frontrunner
* Has 13 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: 4.051 seconds (Richmond 2009)
* Fastest speed to 1000 feet so far: 309.49 mph (Richmond 2009)
* Manages family 500-acre Angus Cattle farm in Virginia

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 30 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 31 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Nov. 1 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 31, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 11:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Nov 1, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day, at 2:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Nov. 1, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

Courtesy of Judy Stropus