September 15, 2014

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) kicked off the “Countdown to the Championship” six-race playoff series on Friday with qualifying at the seventh annual Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Raceway near Charlotte, North Carolina, with three Pro Stock and three Funny Car Mopar drivers battling the field in their respective classes for the coveted crown. Matt Hagan got things rolling for Mopar in qualifying at the first of four national events in as many weeks by driving his Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to the provisional No.1 qualifier position, while defending Pro Stock title winner at the Carolina Nationals, Jeg Coughlin Jr. was the top Dodge Dart by earning the No.2 spot.

Last year’s NHRA Pro Stock Champion Coughlin Jr., along with his Mopar teammate 2012 Champion and 2013 runner-up Allen Johnson, as well as veteran racer V. Gaines will fight to earn the brand’s third consecutive factory hot rod NHRA crown and are looking to start things off with a title win this weekend. In the Funny Car competition, DSR’s Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson Jr., and 2011 Champ Hagan will work to drive their Mopars back to championship form after Jack Beckman’s NHRA win in 2012. Beckman will look to play spoiler in the playoffs while chasing his first national title of the season after missing the Countdown by just 10 points.

Source
Chrysler Media Group