New Year, New beginning for Matt Hagan

To say the NHRA silly season has been one of the craziest on record would be an understatement. With various teams switching drivers and looking for new sponsors , it has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. One driver particularly excited about the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello season to come is 2011 Funny Car Champion Matt Hagan. With a new sponsor in Rocky Footwear coming on board, I talked to him about the new sponsor, and how important the fans are to the sport of drag racing and how his family Christmas was during this off season in a telephone interview from his home in Virginia.

"Christmas was awesome, being able to spend time with the family. It was pleasant to be able to sit back, take a deep breath, take it all in and enjoy the blessings with the kids, your family and your wife. It's hard to imagine it getting any better than that." The humble FC Champ told me "The moments that you remember as a child waking up on Christmas morning seeing what Santa left under the tree. Those are moments that you appreciate as you grow older. It's so much fun getting the family together and enjoying these moments"

What does the new sponsor in Rocky Footwear mean to both you and DSR:

"Rocky Footwear is a great brand and are easy to stand behind. They are a company that I have worn since I was 9 years old" Hagan Stated, "I started hunting and doing things outdoors at an early age, and the company is something that I've used and has been a part of my life" Matt Added "It is amazing for it to come full circle, to have Rocky Footwear as a sponsor, and to drive fuel funny car for them. All the people at Rocky footwear that we have met with have been phenomenal, and I am really excited for the opportunity to drive for them. We at DSR will do whatever we can for them to have an even bigger presence within the NHRA to give them a greater return on their investment"

Talk about how important are the fans to you, to the sport of Drag Racing, along with bringing in sponsors:

"Without the fans there is no Drag Racing, and they are incredibly important.  That is why sponsors like Rocky Footwear become involved in the sport of NHRA Drag racing to acknowledge the fans,  their support of the products, the drivers, and the teams.  That is something that corporate America sees. That is a big sell for us to push sponsors to come to the NHRA, and get started in the sport" Matt then added "Our fan base is huge, and without that support there is no drag racing"

What are the things that make the NHRA experience so rewarding to both fans and drivers:

"The fans frequently see that they get a good bang for their buck, and able to bring children to the events for free (11 and under). Plus, to have such accessibility to the drivers, crews, and crew chiefs, and to be that close to 8,000 to 10,000 HP; there is no better bang for your buck out there I think.  You can explain to someone until your blue in the face the feeling that you get when Funny Cars or Top Fuelers go by the grandstands, feeling the ground shake, and until they get out there and experience it for themselves, there is no way to describe it"

How hard was it to deal with going winless after winning the title in 2011:

"Drag racing is a very humbling sport and I have been ready for 2013 right after Pomona. You can't point fingers at why we didn't win races or why we didn't do that. We win as a team; we lose as a team.  You take a deep breath, let it out, and let the previous season go. It drives me to keep working hard and digging deep."

Was it fun seeing your teammates battle for the FC title, and also talk about your close friendship with Ron:

"Its fun but simultaneously it's tough. You're happy for one driver and so it makes it tough to support two teams. It comes down to whomever has the best car, and which team can make the best decision. It is the same as in any other sport.  I was really pulling for Ron who welcomed me into DSR with open arms. He really went out of his way to welcome me into the team, treating me as if I were part of his family.  Ron has been extremely lucky to be involved with the sport as long as he has, having lots of great memories, and lots of great race wins. But, either way it turned out there is nothing that either one (Ron or Jack) can hang their heads about if it turned out one way or the other."

Talk about how relaxing it is to go home to your farm and learn the business side of that:

"For me getting back to work on the farm is fun. Running a business, being able to turn a profit, and its difficult being away for so long. Eventually I want to learn my father's business but you just never know what life will bring from one moment to the next. I would love to be the next John Force and stay out here drag racing forever. But with sponsorship and the way things are currently you need something to fall back on. Between the farming, the land we acquire, and the cattle we are farming, I am trying to learn as much of the business side of farming as well"

Six Rapid Fire Questions With Matt Hagan:

Favorite Racetrack? Charlotte

Favorite Food? Steak

Favorite Movie? A Christmas Vacation

Favorite Classic Car? Chevy Nova

Favorite piece of farm equipment?  John Deere o6170r Tractor

If you could take your family anywhere in the world, where would you go?

"If I could take them anywhere in the world I would like to take them to Australia.  They also have drag racing down there and it would be fun to see another side of the world.  We have friends of ours who have moved to Australia recently"