Story By: ELON WERNER / JIM DUNN RACING – LONG BEACH, CA – For the first time in his professional career Buddy Hull will be participating in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. As a first year Funny Car driver for legendary team Jim Dunn Racing, Hull does not take this opportunity lightly. The team has participated in every NHRA national event and last weekend raced to the quarterfinals at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals.
“This team has come a long way in 2024 and last weekend at the U.S. Nationals I think we had a breakthrough,” said Hull, who raced part-time in Top Fuel for the previous three seasons. “Jim and Jon Dunn have been working on our tune-up and a lot changed this season. I am a big guy, and I am learning so those things take time, but we are heading into the Countdown with some momentum and great positive energy.
Jim Dunn Racing and Buddy Hull will start the six-race playoff from the No. 12 spot driving the Lescure Funny Car. With the resetting of the Mission Foods point standings Hull is only 145 points out of first place. The team will continue to focus on quality runs in qualifying and then making the most of their race day opportunities.
“Over the last four races of the regular season we learned a ton about our race car and working with Buddy,” said Jon Dunn, co-crew chief for Jim Dunn Racing. “My dad and I have looked at everything on the car and made some big changes to move us in the right direction. I am more excited about getting into this six-race playoffs this year than ever before. Buddy has been improving all season behind the wheel and no one will out work our team.”
Heading into the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals the Lescure Funny Car, which will feature Sunshine Energy Drinks on the rear wing, will be looking to close the gap on the teams in front of them. The first rounds of qualifying will get underway Friday, September 13, from Maple Grove Raceway.