NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Funny Car rookie Buddy Hull will finish out his first season in the class behind the wheel of the iconic Mooneyes-branded Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals.

“One of my favorite memories as a kid was watching ‘Big Jim’ and Kenji Okazaki win the Big Bud Shootout with the Mooneyes Funny Car,” said Hull. “And now not just once, but now twice, I will be the driver piloting this car that’s literally a part of motorsports history. These are the kind of experiences that I’ve had this year that have given me chills.”

Moon Equipment Company is a California-based manufacturer of nostalgic hot rod products such as Moon tanks, discs, and valve covers. Jim Dunn Racing and Mooneyes have a relationship dating back more than 30 years, and the classic yellow Mooneyes car design is practically synonymous with the team.

“The Winternationals was the first time I raced the Mooneyes car, and in between now and then, I’ve gotten to represent some other incredible sponsors,” said Hull. “But there’s just something about returning to this body now at this race, that makes me really excited to show everyone how far I have come this year. Particularly when this race is also the Dunn family’s home track, and I’ll be forever grateful to them for this opportunity.”

With the way the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule shakes out, the second race of the year is contested in Pomona, as well as the last. This allows the drivers, teams, and fans to witness a full evolution of a season from beginning to end at the same track. For drivers like Buddy Hull, who are experiencing a rookie season in their class, this forces an extra level of reflection upon the year.

“I am one of the most blessed men in the world to be doing what I am doing, driving for an icon like Jim Dunn,” said Hull. “I’ve worked my hardest this year, trying to make them and our sponsors proud. I’ve hit career bests this season on every metric from speed, to elapsed time, to reaction time. And I know with the support of the team around me, I will continue to get even better – both at this final race of the year and looking ahead to 2025.”

In addition to Mooneyes, Hull will continue to represent his season-long sponsors, Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Lescure Mechanical Services, Solid Start/True Brand Products, Blaze Exhaust Probes, Kindness General Contractors, Crow Safety Gear, Koppl Pipeline Services, Good Vibrations Motorsports, Powerbuilt Tools, and Wiley X. 

“This is the final race of the year, and I’m ready to hit it hard,” said Hull. “We’re going to throw everything at the wall, so we can end this season on the highest note we possibly can. I’m ready to get to Pomona and show everyone what this Mooneyes car is made of, and to give Jim and the rest of the Dunn family the biggest thank-you.”