Matt Hagan to Lead Funny Car Field at NHRA Nationals
The race hits Las Vegas Motor Speedway on November 1 with championship stakes on the line.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Motorsports
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Local racing fans can see Matt Hagan compete for his fifth world championship title as the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals arrive at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event, taking place November 1, 2026, serves as the 19th race of the 20-race NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
Why it matters
The race is a pivotal moment in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, marking the fifth of six critical rounds. The outcome at The Strip will determine how much of a lead title contenders carry into the season finale.
Matt Hagan leads the Funny Car standings with 4 wins and 7 final-round appearances across 18 completed races. He currently holds a 98-point advantage over the second-place driver.
The players
Matt Hagan
Professional NHRA driver currently leading the Funny Car points standings.
Shawn Langdon
Professional drag racer leading the Top Fuel points standings by 139 points.
Dallas Glenn
Professional driver leading the Pro Stock points standings.
Jordan Vandergriff
NHRA driver currently sitting 98 points behind the lead in Funny Car.
J.R. Todd
NHRA driver currently sitting 119 points behind the lead in Funny Car.
The details
Hagan pilots a 12,000-horsepower Dodge/SRT Hellcat Funny Car and has reached three final rounds in the last four playoff races. Qualifying sessions occur October 30 and October 31 before the final eliminations on November 1. Shawn Langdon and Dallas Glenn also enter the weekend holding their respective category leads.
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.
Beyond the Strip
This race represents the fifth of six playoff rounds in the historic 75th NHRA anniversary season. It follows a decade of increasingly condensed playoff formats that have focused championship battles into the final weeks of the schedule.
Traffic around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will increase during the three days of racing events. Fans planning to attend can watch the final eliminations live on FS1 on November 1.
The takeaway
The race serves as a defining moment for the Funny Car championship title chase. Follow the results closely as drivers compete for crucial points with only one race left in the 2026 season.
Further reading
For more updates on local racing, visit Motorsports.
More information
For event schedules or to purchase passes, visit the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals ticket portal.
Live Poll
Do you plan to attend a professional drag racing event in your area this year?
