Matt Hagan to Compete at MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals
Points leader Matt Hagan aims for a fifth world title at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway event starting October 30, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Motorsports
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Matt Hagan enters the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals leading the Funny Car standings as the 75th NHRA season reaches its penultimate race. The event serves as the fifth of six playoff races in the Countdown to the Championship.
Why it matters
Hagan enters this critical stage of the playoffs with significant momentum, holding a commanding lead as he pursues a fifth career world championship title. His performance in Las Vegas will directly impact the final standings heading into the season finale.
Matt Hagan holds a 98-point lead over Jordan Vandergriff and 119 points over J.R. Todd entering the 19th race of the 20-race season. He has secured four wins and seven final-round appearances while piloting his 12,000-horsepower Dodge/SRT Hellcat Funny Car.
The players
Matt Hagan
Matt Hagan is a veteran driver in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series currently seeking his fifth world championship title.
Jordan Vandergriff
Jordan Vandergriff is a professional NHRA driver currently tracking in second place behind Matt Hagan in the Funny Car points standings.
J.R. Todd
J.R. Todd is a former champion and competitor in the Funny Car class currently challenging for the top spot in the season standings.
Shawn Langdon
Shawn Langdon is a standout driver who currently leads the Top Fuel points standings by 139 points.
Dallas Glenn
Dallas Glenn is a top-tier competitor in the Pro Stock class who currently holds a lead in the category standings.
The details
Hagan has demonstrated immense consistency by reaching three final rounds in four playoff races, maintaining his position despite having only two first-round losses this season. The competition at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the 19th of 20 events scheduled for the 75th NHRA anniversary season.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: Two rounds of NHRA qualifying.
October 31, 2026: Final two rounds of NHRA qualifying.
November 1, 2026: Final eliminations and FS1 broadcast.
Season Trajectory
This event is a decisive fixture in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series as the field narrows for the final championship push. With only two races left, the performance here will likely solidify or derail the title aspirations for frontrunners like Hagan.
Hagan enters the weekend with a 98-point cushion over Jordan Vandergriff, meaning he can significantly tighten his grip on the championship with a deep run in the bracket. Fans should monitor qualifying rounds on October 30 and 31 to track momentum before the final eliminations on November 1.
The takeaway
Drag racing championships often come down to late-season consistency rather than just individual race wins. Keeping pace with the points lead requires drivers to minimize early-round exits while maximizing performance during the final two playoff events.
What happens next
The 2026 NHRA season will conclude with its 20th and final race following the completion of the Las Vegas event.
Further reading
For more on the current race standings and championship implications, visit the Motorsports section.
More information
For more details on the event, visit the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals ticket portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Speedway Media.
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