HYDE AND HEAD RECOGNIZED AS HOMETOWN HEROES IN NORWALK
By: Head Racing
NORWALK, OHIO (June 28, 2026) — Nitro Funny Car driver Spencer Hyde was a hometown hero this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Both Hyde and his legendary crew chief and team owner, Jim Head, were kept busy on and off the track. Even though they made a fierce race day attempt, the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car had an early exit after the first round.
“If we had made the pass we executed during the first round of eliminations during qualifying, today could have ended very differently,” said Hyde. “But that’s drag racing for you. We had the fifth quickest pass of the first round, and it just wasn’t enough against our competition. Hopefully things will swing in our favor next race.”
Hyde entered race day on Sunday in the No. 13 qualifying position, based on the final pass he made during qualifying, a 3.965 second, 322.19 mph run. He was up against No. 4 qualifier Jack Beckman, who he had a 2-1 record against going into this matchup. Even though Hyde made a stout 3.936 second, 327.19 mph pass, it was not enough against the 2012 Funny Car world champion. Beckman went on to make it to the finals.
photo credit Innovation Creative Experts
“I have a lot of respect for Jack Beckman, both as a driver and as a mentor to so many of the Funny Car guys out here,” said Hyde. “Today was his 60th birthday, so the only positive way I am looking at this first round loss is knowing I at least didn’t send a guy packing on a milestone birthday.”
Outside of his on-track performance, Hyde participated in an autograph session on Saturday at the Right2Breathe display with Joe Morrison, reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Richard Gadson and Top Alcohol Dragster standout Melanie Johnson. On Friday, Jim Head joined the announcers in the booth as he was recognized at this race’s legend during the 75th anniversary of the NHRA. Leading into the quarterfinals, Hyde stepped into the booth for the Next Round with Joe Castello. And all weekend, both Hyde and Head hosted friends and family in their pits, for their hometown race. Head is from Ohio, while Hyde, a Canadian, considers the Norwalk track his ‘American home track.’
“It was so great to have my friends and family here to support me this weekend,” said Hyde. “I grew up racing with my family, so having them with me on this journey now in Funny Car means a lot.”
The Norwalk race officially marks the halfway point of the season. There’s now just four races left before the Countdown to the Championship. Coming out of this weekend, Hyde and the team have two weekends in a row off before heading to Sonoma.
“We’re all going to get some much needed rest before buckling down and trying to get as many points as possible before the Countdown starts,” said Hyde. “We have to keep making Hyde Construction, OUTLAW Light Beer and the Caine Group proud as we get into the thick of the rest of this season.”
Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car will be back in competition in three weeks at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge on July 17-19 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, July 17 and two qualifying sessions on Saturday, July 18. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Sonoma Nationals visit nhra.com.
Qualifying Results – Funny Car
Q1: 10.137 sec, 73.11 mph; Qual. 15
Q2: 3.996 sec, 322.96 mph; Qual. 14
Q3: 4.797 sec, 165.19 mph; Qual. 15
Q4: 3.965 sec, 322.19 mph; Qual. 13
Bonus Points: 0
Race Results
Jack Beckman, Corona, Calif., PEAK Chevrolet SS, (.073), 3.917 sec, 330.23 mph def. Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Contractors & Engineers Funny Car, (.085), 3.936 sec, 327.19 mph
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Point Standings – Funny Car
- Ron Capps, 812
- Jack Beckman, 684
- Matt Hagan, 701
- J.R. Todd, 689
- Jordan Vandergriff, 651
- Chad Green, 633
- Alexis DeJoria, 608
- Austin Prock, 526
- Spencer Hyde, 490
- Daniel Wilkerson, 443
