Story By: ELON WERNER / JIM DUNN RACING – LONG BEACH, CA – Momentum. That’s the word that’s on Funny Car driver Buddy Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team’s minds going into the NHRA Northwest Nationals this weekend, June 19-21, at Pacific Raceways, located just outside of Seattle. Since turning a corner at the Thunder Valley Nationals in early June, the team has been building a momentum of consistency and performance that is sure to lead to success during the first race of a shortened Western Swing.
“I’ve been telling the team all week that there’s something in the air going into this race,” said Hull. “I have this gut feeling that this weekend will be our weekend. We’ve been consistently running well ever since Bristol, and with a couple weeks off everyone is feeling good. We’re rested up after a busy first half of the season, and we’re ready to turn on some win lights in Seattle.”
This will be Hull’s first time competing at Pacific Raceways, as he continues with his rookie Funny Car season after his transition from a part-time Top Fuel driver to a full-time Funny Car driver. The move has been a challenge and offered Hull the chance to get to know new competitors. Throughout the process Hull has leaned on Hall of Fame team owner Jim Dunn as well as his fellow Funny Car drivers.
“Jim has been an amazing mentor and talking with guys like Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon has been eye opening as I get comfortable racing Funny Cars,” said Hull, who had experience behind the motor of Fuel Altereds earlier in his career. “Every driver has been great and I love being in this class. I really feel like I am a Funny Car guy.”
One thing that Hull is already well known for within the Funny Car class is his willingness to partake in fun off-track contests that benefit charity. During the Northwest Nationals, Hull will be participating in the dunk contest aiding Drag Racing Association of Women (DRAW). DRAW is a non-profit organization that provides financial and emotional support to qualified individuals involved in drag racing accidents at a track.
“DRAW is a fantastic organization that I am proud to support,” said Hull. “Non-profit work has always held a special place in my heart, and with the recent John Force crash bringing even more attention to just how dangerous our sport can be, I’m happy to help raise money so they can keep working with racing families affected by accidents.”
Seattle is the first of two races where Hull will be sporting a Lescure Mechanical Services Funny Car body, repping one of Jim Dunn’s many season-long sponsors. Lescure Mechanical Services is Northern California’s premier mechanical contractor and is a family-based company.
“Lescure has been a longtime supporter of Jim Dunn Racing,” said Hull. “We were pumped to have them on as a full-time partner this year, and now we’re really going to be able to put the spotlight on them for these next couple of races on the west coast. Their company shares a lot of the same strong values as our team, and we’re going to try and win some rounds for them this weekend.”
In addition to Lescure Mechanical Services, Hull will be representing other season-long sponsors Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Solid Start/True Brand Products, Blaze Exhaust Probes, Crow Safety, KGC Construction, Koppl Pipeline Services, Mooneyes, Good Vibrations Motorsports, Powerbuilt Tools and Wiley X.
“We have so much going for us as a team heading into Seattle,” said Hull. “The car is moving in the right direction. We’re working better together as a team and the parts are agreeing with each other on the car. This sport has rewarded me with so many amazing relationships and cool opportunities. I want to return the favor with a few round wins.”
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will make two qualifying runs on Friday, July 19 and two qualifying runs on Saturday, July 20 at Pacific Raceways. The top 16 quickest Funny Cars in the field will then advance to race day on Sunday, July 21. The first round of eliminations will begin on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. PST. Fans can watch the finals on FOX.