Story By: ELON WERNER / JIM DUNN RACING – LONG BEACH, CA – The Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals is known for creating legends. And rookie Funny Car driver Buddy Hull is hoping to become one of the legendary few to pick up his first win at the historic 70th annual U.S. Nationals this weekend, August 30-September 2, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
“This weekend we’ll be competing for points and a half, which means it’s the best opportunity we have to make up some ground in points before the start of the Countdown,” said Hull. “It’s not going to be easy, but I know our Jim Dunn Racing team is capable of it. We’ll be competing against 18 of the other fastest Funny Cars in the world, on drag racing’s biggest stage. That’s the kind of challenge that thrills me.”
Blaze Exhaust Probes, one of Jim Dunn’s season-long sponsors, will be the main body sponsor at the Big Go, for the sixth race this season. In addition to Blaze, Hull will be repping other season-long sponsors Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Solid Start/True Brand Products, Lescure Mechanical Services, Crow Safety, KGC Construction, Koppl Pipeline Services, Mooneyes, Good Vibrations Motorsports, Powerbuilt Tools and Wiley X.
“The U.S. Nationals is where dreams are made,” said Hull. “This year has already been the best year of my life, by becoming a Funny Car driver for Big Jim, starting a family, expanding my business and more. A few new personal bests at the U.S. Nationals and a win to cap it off would just be the cherry on top. I’m ready to get there and get started.”
As part of the 70th anniversary Toyota U.S. Nationals several NHRA legends will be participating in a variety of fan events. Hall of Fame team owner and Funny Car icon Jim Dunn will be participating in two separate events signing a special U.S. Nationals specific hero card. On Friday Dunn along with legends Don Prudhomme, Billy Meyer and more drivers will be signing autographs at 4 p.m. and on Sunday Dunn will be signing autographs at the Mission Foods display at 9:30 a.m.
The Dallas-based driver made his first U.S. Nationals appearance in 2021, when he was pulling double duty as a rookie Top Fuel driver and owner. He qualified in the No. 13 spot before being bested by Josh Hart, who went on to compete in the semi-finals.
“Driving my Top Fuel dragster here in Indy in 2021 feels like a lifetime ago,” said Hull. “So much has changed, but one thing that’s stayed the same is my competitive nature and drive to win. This is my first time competing at this race as a Funny Car driver, and ultimately that’s how I want to be remembered.”
Recently Hull has cemented his legacy even further as a personality within the Funny Car class with the debut of his new show on the NHRA FAST Channel, “Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull,” produced by Werner G+E, LLC. In the first two episodes he’s had wide-ranging conversations with drivers Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon. The next episode features Daniel Wilkerson and will air after the U.S. Nationals on Wednesday, September 4 at 8 p.m. EST. Fans can watch on one of 13 24/7 digital channels like The Roku Channel, Tubi and Samsung TV Plus by searching the NHRA and selecting the LIVE option.
“As a businessman I’m always looking at different avenues to get involved in things that I am passionate about,” said Hull. “Yes, I am a Funny Car driver. But I will always also be a Funny Car fan. To be able to bring fellow fans an up-close look into the personalities in this class is such a blast. And through these conversations with other drivers, I’m learning more as a driver myself.”
In between the Brainerd Nationals and Indy, Hull and his wife Madi welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Maverick. Having a son only motivates Hull even more to create a racing legacy for his family.
“Becoming a dad is the biggest blessing I have ever experienced,” said Hull. “I may be biased, but he’s already the coolest little dude I know. He’s growing so fast and taking in the world. He has no concept yet of what drag racing is, but I still want to make him proud. I’m not going to force him into racing, but if he shows any interest, I will support him 100%, and I want the Hull family legacy to be ready for him. To have the potential for us to be a multi-generational drag racing family makes me so excited.”
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will make one qualifying run on Friday night, August 30, two qualifying runs on Saturday, August 31, and two more qualifying runs on Sunday, September 1 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The top 16 quickest Funny Cars in the field will then compete on Labor Day, Monday September 2 for a historic Wally. The first round of eliminations will begin on Monday at 10 a.m. EST. Fans can watch the finals on FOX.