Spy Shot: Is This Weld Racing’s New Beadlock Nitro Wheel?

Is Weld Racing, one of the most recognized wheel makers in the drag racing industry, on the verge of rolling (no pun intended) a brand new beadlock nitro wheel to market?

This photo was taken at the recent Dollar General NHRA Summernationals in Topeka, Kan. and shows a new prototype Weld Racing nitro wheel — complete with the trademark “Weld Racing USA” and “Forged” machining in the slick black anodized finish — on the NTB / Service Central Dodge Funny Car of Johnny Gray. Not only is the shell a different design from the current Weld Racing Magnum Drag Race wheel, but some obvious differences can be seen in the beadlock area.

This is the first we’ve seen this new wheel in the wild and the photographer who snapped the photo reported that a set was also spotted in the John Force Racing compound over the course of the weekend in Topeka, as well.

With the Weld Racing headquarters located in Kansas City, just a little more than an hours drive from Heartland Park Topeka, perhaps our friends over at Weld were doing a little not-so-secret track testing of their new prototype right in their own backyard. We’re sworn to secrecy on this one, but you’ll be hearing a lot more on this story in the future.