HYDE MAKES NOISE BY ADVANCING TO QUARTERFINALS OF THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
By: Head Racing
BRISTOL, TENN. (June 14, 2026) — Sophomore Funny Car driver Spencer Hyde, the Canadian pilot of the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals this weekend at Bristol Dragway. Hyde qualified in the top quarter of the field at the No. 4 spot, and was one of the most consistent cars on the property over the course of the weekend.
“I feel a lot better coming into this weekend than I felt the last two weekends, just right from the start of qualifying through race day,” said Hyde, who was the 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year. “The car went down five out of six runs we made, and the one that it didn’t go down, it was really close to making it. It feels like we have our race car back, and I think we’re in a good spot going into the next race.”
All the teams came into Thunder Valley blind, with no data for the new track surface. The first round of qualifying was not particularly good for anyone, but after that Hyde made one steady pass after the other. Hyde qualified in the No. 4 position based off his Q2 pass, a 4.030 second, 319.07 mph run.
In the first round, Hyde was up against 2-time Funny Car World Champion Cruz Pedregon. The run ended up being a single for Hyde, when Pedregon’s car malfunctioned and his team had to back it up from the starting line. Hyde then went on to make a 4.001 second, 316.52 mph pass, securing the round one win.
“I hate for the fans that it couldn’t have been a more competitive race in the first round, but a round win is a round win,” said Hyde. “The data we got for that run was great, and it allowed us to feel pretty good going into the quarterfinals.”
While the first round may not have been competitive, the quarterfinals most certainly was. Hyde was able to duplicate his first round elapsed time with a 4.001 second pass, and increased his speed to 323.50 mph. Unfortunately, it was not enough against reigning Funny Car World Champion Austin Prock, who made a 3.986 second, 323.50 mph run.
“We lost a tough one there to Austin, but I’d rather lose a good drag race like that then smoke the tires,” said Hyde. “I was a little tardy on the light, but they made a good run. Jim was going to try and go a 3.97 or 3.98, but he backed it down at the last minute, put the same tune up in as E1, it went right down the racetrack, but it just wasn’t enough.”
Now that Hyde and the Jim Head-tuned Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car have nailed consistency, they are turning their sights ahead to the Norwalk race in two weeks. This is one of the most important races on the schedule for both Hyde and Head for a variety of reasons.
“Norwalk is always a tricky racetrack, just because it’s going to be hot, and that track gets tricky when it’s hot out,” said Hyde. “But I am happy with where we are heading into that. And then it’s also both Jim and I’s home race, so it’s a big one for us. Lots of lots of local fans for both Jim and myself coming up to that one. I’m really looking forward to that.”
The Head Racing team will be busy on and off the track, hosting their loved ones and being recognized during the 75th anniversary of the NHRA.
“I’ve got a bunch of people coming down, a bunch of my old crew guys from the Pro Mod days, and they’re all bringing their motor homes and trailers and coming to hang out, so we’ll have a hospitality setup in Norwalk,” said Hyde. “Jim’s also the local legend for that race for the NHRA’s 75th anniversary. They’re also using me as a Hometown Homie, since it’s the closest we get to my hometown in Canada. It will be the perfect race to represent Hyde Construction, OUTLAW Light Beer and the Caine Group.”
Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car will be back in competition in two weeks at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 25-28 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, June 26 and two qualifying sessions on Saturday, June 27. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Nationals visit nhra.com.
Qualifying Results – Funny Car
Q1: 5.596 sec, 124.01 mph; Qual. 10
Q2: 4.030 sec, 319.07 mph; Qual. 3
Q3: 4.184 sec, 299.60 mph; Qual. 4
Q4: 4.104 sec, 310.20 mph; Qual. 4
Bonus Points: +3 (third quickest in Q2, second quickest in Q4)
Race Results
First Round
Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Contractors & Engineers Funny Car, (.077), 4.001 sec, 316.52 mph def. Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind., Snap-on Tools Dodge SRT Hellcat, No Time
Second Round
Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Ford Mustang Dark Horse, (.066), 3.986 sec, 323.50 mph def. Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Contractors & Engineers Funny Car, (.097), 4.001 sec, 321.96 mph
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Point Standings – Funny Car
- Ron Capps, 691
- Matt Hagan, 667
- J.R. Todd, 634
- Jordan Vandergriff, 619
- Jack Beckman, 589
- Chad Green, 572
- Alexis DeJoria, 527
- Spencer Hyde, 459
- Austin Prock, 437
- Daniel Wilkerson, 393
