HART LEAVES NEW ENGLAND FOCUSED ON BREAKOUT IN BRISTOL
Josh Hart and the TechNet Top Fuel dragster made early exit in Epping but will turn focus to Bristol,
photo credit Krista Zivcic Photography
By: Josh Hart Racing
EPPING, NH (June 1, 2025) — For the first time in five races Josh Hart and the TechNet Top Fuel dragster team did not advance out of the first round of NHRA competition. Through two days of qualifying at the 12th NHRA New England Nationals, Hart and his TechNet Top Fuel team made four passes culminating in a solid 3.753 second pass at 329.18 mph last night in the final session to move into race day as the No. 10 qualifier. At the end of the day the team found an issue with their fuel system forcing them to stay late and replace the complete system on their 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster. With a new fuel system, the team was confident heading into the first round match-up against No. 7 qualifier Justin Ashley.
“My guys put the time in last night replacing the fuel system,” said Hart. “We thought there was something going on but it took a few rounds to get to the bottom of it. After that last run we saw it was a problem with the fuel and we had to replace the entire fuel system. I can’t thank this team enough for how hard they work every race. There is no quit in this TechNet R+L Carriers pit.”
Hart and Ashley were the final pair of Top Fuel dragsters to run in the first session that was littered with track elapsed time and speed records in the races leading up to their race. Hart who gave up lane choice to the higher seeded Ashley was relegated to the left lane that prior to his run only saw one win light flash on when Dan Mercier upset Shawn Langdon in the second pair. Unfortunately for Hart and the TechNet team his Top Fuel dragster overpowered the track and Ashley cruised to the first round win in the right lane.
“I don’t think the lane really had anything to do with that loss,” said Hart. “We were behind the eight ball in qualifying and you see it with every team out here. We made a good run on Friday in the second round but we were still a little behind everyone after the first session. We didn’t have lane choice and that just means you’re in the bottom half of the field. We are putting in the time to get better.”
With back-to-back races on the schedule for Hart the multi-time Top Fuel national event winner will head to Bristol, Tennessee for the Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals looking to hold onto his top ten points position next weekend. The team will evaluate the performance numbers from this weekend and the new fuel system, the team will be ready to continue to build positive momentum.
“Getting back-to-back races will help this TechNet and R+L Carriers Top Fuel team,” said Hart. “We need to get back on the track and keep getting better. Ron and Jason will figure it out. Everyone on this team is working to get into the winner’s circle. I can’t wait to get to Bristol. It is an amazing facility. The fans this weekend in Epping have been great.”
All the NHRA teams will be back on track at historic Bristol Dragway starting on Friday, June 6 for two qualifying sessions with two more on tap for Saturday. There will be a massive driver autograph session at the end of the day on Saturday before the quickest 16 Top Fuel dragster head into eliminations on Sunday, June 8.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 7.502 sec, 98.41 mph; Qual. 10
Q2: 3.793 sec, 315.86 mph; Qual. 11
Q3: 6.763 sec, 93.01 mph; Qual. 11
Q4: 3.753 sec, 329.18 mph; Qual. 10
Bonus points:
Race Results
First Round
Justin Ashley, Plainview, NY, SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel dragster, (.042). 3.723 sec, 338.34 mph def. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., TechNet Top Fuel dragster, (.077), 7.158 sec, 97.47 mph
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Point Standings – Top Fuel
1. Tony Stewart 616
2. Shawn Langdon 545
3. Antron Brown 527
4. Doug Kalitta 501
5. Brittany Force 452
6. Justin Ashley 438
7. Steve Torrence 335
8. Clay Millican 328
9. Josh Hart 311
10. Shawn Reed 298
