By: Jim Dunn Racing
LAS VEGAS (November 3, 2024) — The Funny Car class has never been more competitive, and the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals made that very clear this weekend with a crowded 21-car field. But what has made Jim Dunn Racing an iconic team for so long is how they never back down from a fight. That includes their driver, rookie Funny Car driver Buddy Hull.
“Vegas has proven to be a tough track for us this year, but it’s nothing we can’t handle and learn from,” said Hull. “We made four runs this weekend that gave us a lot of data that we can use going into the World Finals in Pomona. We have two weeks to go to work and continue to get better before one of the biggest events of the year.”
Out of two runs on Friday and two more runs on Saturday, Hull’s best pass of the weekend came during the fourth and final round of qualifying, with a 4.090 second, 311.27 mph run, handedly outrunning fellow competitor Jeff Diehl in the other lane. Unfortunately, this run was not enough to get the Jim Dunn Racing nitro Funny Car in the show, but the team is still optimistic about what they can take away from this weekend.
“It’s really satisfying when your best run is the last one, because it shows that you’re picking up on what you learned in the first couple of passes,” said Hull. “What this year has taught me is that every run down the racetrack matters, because nothing beats repetition and time in the car, when it comes to improving by leaps and bounds.”
This weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Hull highlighted sponsors Kindness General Contractors, LLC, and Crow Safety Gear, a local company owned by Jon Dunn.
“When we have 20 dates on a schedule, it’s easy for race weekends to feel like they will blend together,” said Hull. “What helps make every race unique is the sponsors we represent, particularly when they are in the area. When they can attend and see their marketing dollars put in action at such an exciting event, that really puts it into focus for them why they continue to support the sport of drag racing and Jim Dunn Racing.”
After this weekend’s performance, Hull is already looking forward to the World Finals in Pomona, California to finish out the season on a high note. It will be his first time competing at this event since his Top Fuel debut in 2021.
“We are going to put this race behind us and get excited for the finals,” said Hull. “It’s going to be a reflective weekend for me, as I wrap up my first Funny Car season, and my first time competing in the Countdown. Even with the ups and downs, this will be a year I will never forget.”
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will be back in competition for the last race in the Countdown at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals on November 14-17 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, November 15 and two qualifying sessions on Saturday, November 16. For tickets or more information on the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals visit nhra.com.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 4.207 sec, 275.34 mph; Qual. 13
Q2: 13.082 sec; 67.99 mph; Qual. 16
Q3: 4.316 sec; 267.37 mph; Qual. 18
Q4: 4.090 sec; 311.27 mph; Qual. 18
Bonus Points: 0
Points
Following a lengthy oil down at the conclusion of the Top Fuel semifinals in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series the NHRA announced they would be finishing the event tomorrow with eliminations resuming at 11 a.m. PT. Updated points will be available on www.nhra.com at the conclusion of the event.
