MESA, Ariz. — The NHRA offseason has produced about as many information objects because the common season often does. A few of it facilities on the merry-go-round of workforce additions and subtractions, and a few of it raises extra questions.
One of many newest personnel strikes is Humorous Automotive racer Alexis DeJoria becoming a member of Joe Maynard’s JCM workforce as a teammate to eight-time High Gasoline champion Tony Schumacher – and presumably 2023 FIA European High Gasoline champion Ida Zetterström, at any time when the favored Swede finds sufficient funding to return to the dragstrip.
The change, which few noticed coming, ends DeJoria’s four-year stint with workforce proprietor Del Worsham.
However she mentioned, “I wish to share my appreciation for Del Worsham and all he has achieved for me and my profession. He has been with me since day one. I licensed in his Humorous Automotive approach again in 2011. He was my first crew chief at Kalitta Motorsports. Del and I’ve actually been within the trenches as teammates. He’s my mentor, my closest confidante, and actually, my brother. We had a number of candid conversations over these previous couple of months about the way forward for the workforce. He expressed desirous to take a while to reevaluate the course of his profession, and I wholeheartedly assist that.”
She mentioned, “It’s been a few years since I used to be a part of a multi-car operation, and I’m excited for that chance. From my very first dialog with Joe about us doubtlessly teaming up, I knew this was going to be a very good match. His enthusiasm for the game is unbelievable, and the influence he has made on this business in just some years’ time is plain. I’ve unfinished enterprise on the monitor, and I’ve little doubt our Bandero workforce will likely be dialed in and able to carry out once we get to Gainesville for the Gatornationals season opener in two months.”
“It’s clear to me that Alexis is a racer via and thru,” Maynard mentioned of the six-time Humorous Automotive winner. “We’re each right here for the love of the game, and that’s vital to me. She’s hungry for race wins and a championship, and we’d love nothing greater than to present her the instruments and assist to go on the market and change into NHRA’s first feminine Humorous Automotive world champion.”
Additionally within the Humorous Automotive class, Blake Alexander has left Jim Head Racing to workforce with Chad Inexperienced, and Jack Beckman is again within the PEAK Chavy Camaro he drove to a second-place end within the standings as an alternative to the injured John Pressure – incomes factors for himself this time.
Meaning, in fact, that Pressure won’t be again within the seat in 2025. And Austin Prock’s multiyear take care of Cornwell Instruments alerts that Robert Hight, the three-time champion who took “medical go away” final 12 months, won’t return to John Pressure Racing on the monitor, both.
However don’t be stunned if Hight is barely extra seen in 2025 as he resumes his place as president of the group.
Multiclass winner Greg Stanfield will be part of son Aaron Stanfield at Elite Motorsports, returning to the Professional Inventory class, as the corporate expands even additional.
In High Gasoline, Josh Hart has added seasoned crew chief Jason McCulloch to his workforce. That signifies one thing is shifting within the Torrence/Capco Racing camp. McCulloch was Billy Torrence’s tuner. And rumors abound that Billy Torrence and/or his four-time champion son Steve Torrence received’t be again this season. No official phrase has come from the Kilgore, Texas, workforce but.
Mike Salinas says he’s prepared to return again to the High Gasoline class following coronary heart bypass surgical procedure. However he has so many ambitions, so what is going to he strive? He has talked about racing within the Professional Inventory Motorbike class and driving a Professional Modified. The NHRA doesn’t allow a racer to compete in two professional lessons on the identical occasion, so Salinas must jettison one thing. Keep tuned.
And what is going to occur with Tony Stewart and spouse Leah Pruett after this coming High Gasoline season? With new child son Dominic James arriving on the ultimate day of the 2024 season, Pruett has mentioned she’s sitting out the 2025 marketing campaign.
And Stewart mentioned he’s simply filling in till Pruett comes again to the cockpit. He additionally mentioned he has no pre-determined plan for the course of his profession, so who is aware of how the spirit will transfer him?
One other query that involves thoughts is How a lot cash did playing on NHRA drag races fetch in 2024? Nobody appears to have any greenback figures on the deal with. Shouldn’t that be clear?
And to the NHRA’s credit score, it has tried to inject some pleasure into its schedule – however are its new initiatives the sort of gimmicks the game wants? In what seems to be a keeping-up-with-the-Penskes-and-NASCAR transfer, following The Conflict in inventory automobiles and The Thermal within the IndyCar Sequence, the premier drag-racing sanctioning physique has give you the Peach State Showdown of Pace and a four-wide race at Charlotte through the Countdown.
Neither appears to be timed proper. The Peach State exhibition, at Valdosta, Ga., will come towards the top of the Countdown, which is senseless and makes for some curious logistics (bringing motion east when the collection is heading west to wrap up its championship chase). Drivers, for probably the most half, dislike four-wide racing.
They publicly say they admire and respect the Bruton Smith household’s ardour for the game, however they’re glad to be again in custom two-wide format afterward. They have already got two four-wide occasions early within the season (at Las Vegas and on the first of two visits to Charlotte). The NHRA already has the gimmick of factors and a half payout at Indianapolis simply earlier than the Countdown begins and once more on the finale at Pomona, Calif., why throw one other monkey wrench within the works? Followers have overwhelmingly expressed displeasure with the thought. The NHRA must hearken to them.
And at last, Toyota is giving drag racing another 12 months, so what OEM will step as much as fill that void beginning in 2026?
The season will open with questions, and the solutions ought to begin coming by the schedule-opening Gatornationals in March at Gainesville, Fla.
