Story By: ELON WERNER / JIM DUNN RACING – LONG BEACH, CA – The past two races have seen Buddy Hull and the Lescure Funny Car make big strides of consistency and improvement as the NHRA Countdown to the Championship picks up speed.
At the Toyota U.S. Nationals the Jim Dunn Racing Funny car upset Bob Tasca III and raced to the quarterfinals and last week at Maple Grove Raceway a strong qualifying performance sent them into race day as the No. 12 qualifier, their best effort of the season. This weekend at zMax Dragway outside of Charlotte, Hull and the Lescure Funny Car with extra support from Sunshine Energy Drink will be looking to build on that positive momentum.
“This sport is tough but when you work at it you see the results,” said Hull. “This Jim Dunn Racing team has found its stride for the Countdown. We are looking forward to Charlotte and continuing in this direction for the rest of the season. We have a lot of goals this weekend and we are checking the boxes.”
Buddy Hull and the Lescure Funny Car are ready for the second race of the NHRA Countdown,
photo credit Krista Zivcic
Hull has experience at zMax Dragway racing Top Fuel and Funny Car in the spring four-wide national events. This will be his first traditional two wide experience in Charlotte at the premiere racing facility next to Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“I am looking forward to going head-to-head with the rest of these Funny Car drivers,” said Hull. “I have learned a lot from the legend Jim Dunn as well as the rest of the drivers in this class. I have five more Funny Car races in my rookie season, and I want to make the most of them. The biggest thing I have learned is you have to be ready for anything behind the wheel of these 11,000 monsters. They are a lot of fun, but they are a serious handful.”
Hull has made a positive impression on and off the track. For the second race in a row Sunshine Energy Drink will appear on the rear wing of Hull’s Lescure Funny Car. The business owner from Dallas knows how critical sponsorship and marketing relationships are to building a solid racing program.
Sunshine is a refreshing, hydrating and functional energy drink. With just 70mg of caffeine, it offers the perfect ‘pick-me-up’ for sustained mental clarity, allowing fans to power through tasks with ease. Hull is excited to work with a company like Sunshine Beverages because he understands the benefits.
“You have to be so mentally sharp behind the wheel of this 11,000 horsepower Funny Car,” said Hull. “Sunshine Beverages gives you that boost without the crash. They are working with Jim Dunn Racing because they know we can get them in front of thousands of people and help them expand their presence. My goal is to do my best behind the wheel and then spend some time with the fans talking about all our great partners.”
Hull has dreams of a Funny Car world championship, but he also has immediate visions of moving up into the Top Ten with a strong performance at the Carolina Nationals. The team is sitting in twelfth place, and they are only about two rounds out of the Top Ten. Every round is worth 20 points and in the tough Funny Car anyone can go out in the early rounds opening the door for a big jump by the Lescure Funny Car.
“We need to keep turning on win lights on Sunday,” said Hull. “You look at the ladders on Sunday and it really is anyone’s race. There have been upsets in every race this season and as the pressure ramps up for the Countdown anything can happen. I have an amazing team around me and I love what I am doing.”
The Lescure Funny Car will be on track for the first time in Charlotte on Friday with two qualifying runs and then they will return on Saturday with two more qualifying runs. They will be looking to grab one of the 16 quickest elapsed times so that can race on Sunday for the iconic Wally trophy.