Buddy Hull Building For The Future, Launching New Funny Car Team In 2026

Buddy Hull will return to the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series in 2026 as both team owner and driver, launching a reformed Hull Racing Funny Car operation following his departure from Jim Dunn Racing. The Dallas-based business owner, who spent the past two seasons piloting Dunn’s storied machine, confirmed he has acquired the full assets needed to field an independent program and will debut the car at the season-opening Gatornationals, March 6-8, at Gainesville Raceway.

“I want to thank Jim Dunn Racing for the opportunity to race a nitro Funny Car full-time,” Hull said, noting the progress he made while recording multiple quarterfinal finishes. “After the experiences of the past two seasons the time was right for me to take ownership of my career and brand. I have a lot of business opportunities on and off the track and this was the perfect time to take the next step in my Funny Car career.”

Hull competed in 33 races driving for Jim Dunn, notching a 4-25 round record and finishing as high as 13th in the points standing in 2024. He missed the season’s final eight races after sustaining a hand injury in an explosion and subsequent impact at Sonoma in July; he failed to qualify in his return at Las Vegas.

Hull’s 2026 effort will be anchored by crew chiefs Mike Guger and Johnny West. Two complete Funny Cars are already housed at his Dallas-area shop, and the team intends to begin testing ahead of the season with the expectation of running consistently in the mid-3.90s — a threshold necessary to contend in what is projected to be one of the most competitive Funny Car fields in years.

“I have worked with Mike for a number of years and adding the expertise of Johnny West to my team will give us a great 1-2 punch,” Hull says. “We will be ready to go every qualifying session and every elimination round. I am excited for the future, and we have some great marketing partners that will be along for the ride.”

Away from the racetrack, Hull will continue expanding his personal brand through his award-winning television series Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull and additional marketing initiatives. Sponsorship announcements are expected during this week’s PRI Show in Indianapolis.