NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

It’s already been a standout rookie season for Top Fuel newcomer Josh Hart, who won his debut race and has since advanced to another final round in four appearances.

But Hart continues to be hard at work off the track, trying to secure more funding to add to his 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule.

That early success led to buymetalbuildingsdirect.com increasing its partnership with Hart’s Fearless Racing operation, allowing Hart and his team, led by standout crew chief Ron Douglas, to add several dates to their 2021 schedule.

Currently eighth in points despite not racing at two events, Hart is understandably excited about the developments.

“We’re very pleased, and it’s been really good for us,” Hart said. “I was a businessman well before I drove a car, and my goal is to keep bringing new blood into the NHRA. I’m trying to be as well-rounded as possible because it takes a lot to make one of these [dragsters] go down a dragstrip.”

The new funding will allow Hart to add races in Topeka, Bristol, and St. Louis to his schedule, with the potential to add Brainerd, Las Vegas, and the NHRA World Finals in Pomona as well.

But that’s not all for Hart as he works on more opportunities to run a full season.

He’ll be in Norwalk with a new partner, and if that goes well, Hart could also make appearances in Denver and Pomona next month.

“We have a lot of moving pieces right now, so we’ll see how it goes,” Hart said. “Everyone is gelling together really nice right now, and we’re just trying to keep up with the big boys.”

It’s all part of a business mindset Hart and his wife have developed, and that blueprint has carried over perfectly to their Top Fuel operation.

Hart wasn’t content with just making his debut — he wanted to have an impact. That was felt immediately with the victory in Gainesville, and even if Hart wasn’t expecting that kind of incredible debut, operating a first-class team was always the goal.

It meant bringing in a guy like Douglas, having enough sponsorship and partnerships to acquire good parts to run at a high level, and not being satisfied with just showing up for the weekend.

So far, all the boxes have been checked, and things only seem to be getting better for Hart.

“We didn’t plan to show up just to qualify,” Hart said. “We’re in it for the long haul. Ron and I realized we have the same demeanor, and this team, they don’t want to just fly in, waste the weekend, and make a couple of laps. It takes a lot of work and talented people, but I’ve got all the confidence in the world in this team. The goal is to create a family environment on this team.”

The hope is the Top Fuel team will match the family atmosphere Hart has built at his business Burnyzz Speed Shop, which is set to move into its massive new location next month.
Hart worked with buymetalbuildingsdirect.com on that project, and he noted the company has been impressed with the exposure — and ROI — they’ve received from being on Hart’s dragster.

It’s been a win-win for all parties, leaving Hart even more excited for the rest of the season, starting next weekend in Norwalk. 

“I feel like we’re in a great spot. We’ve put a lot into our program, and we want to keep everyone together for the long haul,” Hart said. “I think it’s going to be amazing once we’re able to unleash a full season. We’ve got seven brand new engines and lots of new parts. We keep trying to revamp the program and get it up to the standards of the Capco team [of Steve and Billy Torrence]. That’s the goal.”