NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The 2026 NHRA Winternationals delivered a milestone moment for one of drag racing’s most iconic categories, as the sport celebrated its 1,000th Funny Car winner—an honor ultimately claimed by Matt Hagan. 

But the celebration extended far beyond the racetrack, as the NHRA community gathered Saturday evening for a special “Night of Champions” at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Held approximately 45 minutes after the final qualifying session, the event brought together legends, champions, and fans inside the Museum’s Hall of Champions. 

After the second qualifying session, Jack Beckman took the stage and masterfully emceed the evening, setting the tone for a heartfelt and historically rich program. The night unfolded as a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of Funny Car—tracing its roots from the early, unpredictable days of altered wheelbase machines to the highly refined 330-mph machines of today. 

Beckman led conversations that highlighted not only the technological leaps but also the personalities who defined the class. Among those in attendance were key figures representing different eras of the sport, including Bruce Larson and Tim Wilkerson, as well as Tavis Shumake, who was present in honor of his father, Tripp Shumake. 

Their stories added depth and authenticity to an evening centered on legacy, perseverance, and innovation. A focal point of the evening was the recognition of milestone winners—the drivers who etched their names into history by capturing landmark victories in Funny Car competition. 

Those honorees included: 

• First Funny Car winner: Ed Schartman 

• 100th winner: Tripp Shumake 

• 200th winner: Bruce Larson 

• 300th winner: John Force 

• 400th winner: Tim Wilkerson 

• 500th winner: Tim Wilkerson 

• 600th winner: Jack Beckman 

• 700th winner: Johnny Gray 

• 800th winner: John Force 

• 900th winner: Cruz Pedregon 

Each name represented a chapter in the Funny Car story—a timeline of innovation, rivalries, and unforgettable moments on NHRA’s biggest stages. 

The “Night of Champions” was more than a celebration; it was a reminder of NHRA’s foundation and future. Inside the very institution that preserves the sport’s history, the gathering reinforced the connection between past and present, honoring the drivers who built Funny Car into one of motorsports’ most electrifying categories. 

As Hagan secured the 1,000th win on Sunday, the significance of the weekend came into full focus. It was not just about a single victory, but about the thousands of runs, countless competitors, and generations of fans who have fueled the legacy of Funny Car racing for more than half a century.

Donations to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum support its mission to preserve, exhibit, and celebrate motorsports history and American culture. As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the museum relies on donations for operating funds. Contributions, which are tax-deductible, fund exhibitions and help maintain a collection of dragsters, hot rods, and land speed vehicles