NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Spencer Hyde has taken the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series by storm during his rookie season. The Stratford, Ont., resident has proven himself to be a standout first-year driver, piloting the Head Inc. Funny Car owned and tuned by Hall of Famer Jim Head.

Hyde won the Las Vegas NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, raced to a fistful of semifinals and two final rounds, qualified for the 2025 Countdown to the Championship in the Top 10, and secured the No. 1 qualifier at the NHRA Reading Nationals, the first Countdown playoff race.

“I feel like I have proven myself race after race driving this Funny Car, which arguably is the toughest race car to drive,” said Hyde, an accomplished multiclass driver. “I have won a lot of races leading up to my jump to Funny Car, but this was a whole new animal. Thanks to Jim and the team for giving me a good car, I think I proved myself in one of the toughest classes in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.”

Hyde’s self-evaluation is echoed by the opinions of some of his toughest competitors. Throughout the season, Hyde has held his own against numerous Funny Car world champions, including Jack Beckman (1-1), Ron Capps (2-2), and Austin Prock (1-1). The rookie has a winning record in his lone meetings with world champions Matt Hagan (1-0) and Cruz Pedregon (1-0).

“Spencer came from the Pro Mod side of things much like myself, so I have a little bit of love there for him because I ran a Pro Mod for six years before stepping up in the Funny Car,” said Matt Hagan, four-time Funny Car world champion. “He's showing that he can handle the race car. He keeps it in his lane, cuts good lights, and he's a great competitor, so I’m always looking forward to racing that guy, and he's good for the sport. We need new young guys out here who are eager and hungry. He's doing a great job behind the wheel, so I think he's a great candidate for rookie of the year. I've been out here 20 years, and I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. Spencer is one that seems like he is a real natural fit in the car and is doing a good job.”

Hyde has also impressed two-time Funny Car world champion and noted instructor at the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School Jack Beckman. The veteran driver has taught for more than two decades and has raced against almost every Funny Car world champion since 1985.

“I think there's only one viable candidate. I said it on stage during driver intros at St. Louis when Spencer and I were introduced together,” said Beckman. “I said, ‘I don't gamble, but if I had to bet money, I'm standing next to the rookie of the year this year.’ That's how good Spencer has been. He has run the full season and is in contention for the championship. He gets better every single race and drives one of the best cars out there. I just think that's the perfect storm, and he represents himself and the sport very well.”

Hyde will be looking to close out his rookie season with a victory at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the site of his Mission #2Fast#Tasty victory earlier this season.