HULL STAYS BUSY OUTSIDE OF CAR AT MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY

By: Jim Dunn Racing

READING, PA (September 14, 2025) — Fan favorite driver, Buddy Hull, the nitro Funny Car driver for Jim Dunn Racing, had another busy weekend at the racetrack despite not being the person in the seat at the 40^th NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway. Hull is still recovering from the left-hand injury he picked up in Sonoma, and in the meantime, Alex Laughlin is filling in for him. While Hull’s hand may be injured, his dazzling personality is still fully intact. He entertained fans over the weekend during visits to the Nitro Club in Maple Grove Tower, did a stint in the PA booth with Jason Galvin and Courtney Enders and he filmed episodes of his hit show, Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull.
 
“Obviously my favorite place to be at the racetrack is inside the Jim Dunn Racing Blaze Exhaust Probes Funny Car,” said Hull. “But I am having to exercise an extreme amount of patience as my hand slowly but surely recovers. You don’t realize how much goes on in that part of your body until you hurt it, and it doesn’t bounce back right away. My grip strength and the feeling in my thumb still has a way to go before I can safely manhandle a Funny Car. But the support of the fans and the NHRA community finding ways to keep me still heavily involved, is what’s giving me a positive outlook on the situation.”

On Friday morning, Hull filmed two more episodes for season two of his show Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull at local restaurant Doc & Bubba’s. The show debuted last year and won a Gold People’s Telly Award. The first episode of season two aired this past Wednesday, and was a special episode where Hull was in the guest seat, as executive producer Elon Werner interviewed him. Episode two featuring Joe Morrison will air this coming Wednesday, September 17, on the NHRA FAST Channel at 8 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. PT.
 
“It was obvious to me from the jump when I joined the Funny Car class last year that our sport is busting at the seams with interesting personalities,” said Hull. “We typically never have more than a couple minutes to talk whether it be a top end interview or giving a quote for a story. A show where we give drivers a full half hour to an hour, just to chat about how cool it is to drive a Funny Car seemed necessary. And the fans have proven that we were right, they love it.”
 
During qualifying, Hull spent time with fans in the Nitro Club located on the first floor of Maple Grove Raceway Tower. He signed autographs, took selfies and answered questions. Later, he joined Jason Galvin and Courtney Enders in the PA booth, giving additional insights on what it is like piloting both a Funny Car and Top Fuel dragster.
 
“I enjoy the one-on-one fan interaction that the Nitro Club allows,” said Hull. “It’s intimate and makes the experience memorable for fans. And anytime I can spend with Jason and Courtney is time well spent. They’re fantastic at what they do, and it’s fun to offer some extra commentary from a driver’s perspective.”
 
While Hull was out of the driver’s seat, Alex Laughlin was earning points for Hull in the Blaze Funny Car. Laughlin was in the 16-car field up until the final round of qualifying, when he was bumped to the No. 17 position by Dave Richards. His best run was during Q4, a solid 4.099 second, 314.24 mph pass.
 
Hull and Jim Dunn Racing will keep fans updated as they evaluate his medical status going into the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals on September 19-21 at zMax Dragway. For tickets or more information on the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals visit nhra.com.