Matt Hagan prepares for Texas Raceway

The Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T driven by Matt Hagan will make its first of five appearances this weekend at Royal Purple Raceway near Houston.

Matt is hopeful the matte red and black 10,000-horsepower Funny Car will bring a renewed energy to the team that has suffered three first-round losses in the first five NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series events this season.

"It's the first race with Rocky Boots on the car this season and we really want to put a win on the board for them," Matt said. "We have five races with them this year and we're back to our old combination clutch-wise and our old race car, so I'm hoping now we can really start to fine tune the car and get more consistent and turn on some win lights.

"We started the season out so high with that runner-up in Pomona and we have really struggled since then. The boys back at the shop have been working hard and they are all itching to go rounds like I am."

Royal Purple Raceway was the site of Matt's first career NHRA Funny Car victory in 2010.

"I got my first Funny Car win there a few years back and maybe that's where we'll get our first one for Rocky. I'm just looking forward to it, seeing all of the Rocky folks at the racetrack again. Hopefully we can grow that program with them and get a win for them."

"The car is awesome," he said. "It looks mean, looks fast. Dickie (Venables) will put a mean and fast tune-up in it and we'll get after it in Texas this weekend."

Don Schumacher Racing