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New car, new launch point welcome Josh Hart into second Top Fuel season

Josh Hart launched his rookie Top Fuel season last year with a victory at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in his Florida backyard, but with the 2022 schedule kicking off at its traditional stop in Pomona, Calif., new and exciting challenges await.
16 Feb 2022
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Feature
Josh Hart

Josh Hart launched his sensational rookie Top Fuel season last year with a victory in his class debut at the season-kickoff Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in his Florida backyard, but with the 2022 schedule launching at its traditional stop in Pomona, new and exciting challenges await the talented wheelman as he embarks upon his first full season.

“When we ended the season in Pomona last year, it was sublime because it is so sentimental to everyone and there is so much history there," said Hart. “I am excited to race my first full season, and I think starting in California at the Winternationals will be awesome.”

Hart ran a limited schedule in 2021 but picked up two wins and four semifinal finishes in his Ron Douglas-tuned R+L Carriers entry, and after a successful weekend of testing at the PRO Nitro Spring Training at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park shaking down a brand-new Top Fuel dragster, Hart is excited to get started.

“The new car is like a Cadillac,” he said. “The team has everything smoothed out for me. There are still a few little adjustments to make for the driver, in particular. We will get those ironed out, and we will be ready to rock. 

“Last year was awesome, and we learned a lot. I learned a lot, and we made some mistakes as a team, which is part of the process. This year, we are hoping to minimize those mistakes. Going into a full season for the first time, it will mean a lot more seat time, and I think that is going to turn on more win lights.”
 
“It’s nice to open the cabinets and see a lot of new parts. We are getting a good handle on inventory, whereas last year we were just learning the basics. I think we have a great team, and all the same people stayed on board with us, and that gives me a lot of confidence. Last season, Ron Douglas and I became business partners in addition to his crew chief duties, so I get a good feeling from his confidence level when it comes to the performance of the race car. From the driver’s perspective, that is priceless.”