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2012 SESSION

12105437D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 445
Offered February 24, 2012
Commending Matt Hagan.
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Patron-- Rush
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WHEREAS, Matt Hagan of Christiansburg in Montgomery County captured the 2011 National Hot Rod Association Full Throttle Funny Car World Championship for Don Schumacher Racing in just his third full season of competition; and

WHEREAS, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), founded by Wally Parks in 1951, is the largest promoter of professional drag racing in the world, providing drag racing opportunities for hot rod enthusiasts of all levels at 140 member tracks across North America; and

WHEREAS, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series is a 22-event tour at 19 cities across the United States with several marquee competition categories, including Funny Car Racing, with world champions crowned in the NHRA championship playoffs, the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship; and

WHEREAS, Matt Hagan began his racing career as a teenager and quickly moved into circle-track stock cars before starting in bracket racing, earning 2006 Rookie of the Year honors in the NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge; and

WHEREAS, in 2008 Matt Hagan switched to a nitro Funny Car sponsored by his family’s business, Shelor Motor Mile, and placed third in International Hot Rod Association competition points and participated in four NHRA events, qualifying at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis; and

WHEREAS, Matt Hagan’s rookie success captured the attention of Don Schumacher, who offered him a position on his team in a DSR DieHard Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, resulting in two number-one qualifiers and 11th place in the Funny Car World Championship in 2009; and

WHEREAS, in 2010 Matt Hagan proved himself to be a fierce competitor, finishing the season as runner-up in the Funny Car World Championship after setting the top speed record and twice setting the elapsed-time record; and

WHEREAS, Matt Hagan returned in 2011 determined to take home the championship, holding the number-one qualifier position several times, earning wins at Charlotte and Pomona, and setting a national elapsed time record at 3.995 seconds; and

WHEREAS, Matt Hagan’s spectacular success was the result of a tremendous team effort; he now looks forward to next year’s competition while returning to his family in Christiansburg and responsibilities as manager of his family’s Angus cattle farm; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Matt Hagan for winning the 2011 National Hot Rod Association Full Throttle Funny Car World Championship for Don Schumacher Racing; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Matt Hagan as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for his outstanding achievement and best wishes in his future endeavors.