Every pass down the dragstrip matters when you’re building an independent nitro program. For Dylan Winefsky and the Nitro Moose Funny Car team, each qualifying run, each round of data, and every opportunity to race against NHRA’s elite is another step toward becoming a consistent contender on the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series tour.
That journey continues this weekend at the 38th annual DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals, where Winefsky and his family-owned team will make their third NHRA national event appearance of the 2026 season. After qualifying for both the NHRA Arizona Nationals and the historic Winternationals, the El Mirage, Arizona, driver is focused on extending that streak while continuing to build confidence behind the wheel of his 12,000-horsepower Funny Car.
“We did our home race, the Arizona Nationals, and then the Winternationals in Pomona, California, back-to-back, and that was a new experience for our team,” said Winefsky. “We qualified for both of those races, so we want to keep that streak alive in Sonoma. For our team, getting to make qualifying runs and race day runs that’s what it is all about. I get more comfortable in the Funny Car every run, and we get more data for [crew chief] Johnny [West].”
The early-season results have provided valuable experience. Winefsky qualified No. 14 in Phoenix before facing four-time NHRA Funny Car winner Chad Green in the opening round. One week later at Pomona, he qualified 15th and squared off against three-time Funny Car world champion Ron Capps. While both cars lost traction during the run, Capps advanced, but the experience reinforced Winefsky’s belief that his team is moving in the right direction.
Rather than being intimidated by racing some of the biggest names in Funny Car, Winefsky sees every matchup as another opportunity to improve.
“Everyone out here is the best, and getting to line up against them on race day is a great experience,” said Winefsky. “I know we are getting closer to our first round win with every pass. It would be great to go rounds in Sonoma and see what this Nitro Moose Funny Car can do. Johnny West has really been working on our tune-up, and I know the conditions will be great at Sonoma Raceway.”
Sonoma Raceway has long been known as one of the fastest facilities on the NHRA schedule. Nestled in California’s wine country, the track routinely produces some of the quickest elapsed times and highest speeds of the season, especially during Friday night’s cooler qualifying session.
Last season, Brittany Force set the pace with a blistering 343.16-mph Top Fuel run that included nearly 305 mph at the eighth-mile. In Funny Car, Austin Prock blasted to more than 340 mph during eliminations, recording the second-fastest speed in class history.
Those kinds of numbers have Winefsky excited about what his own team might accomplish.
“You see those speeds, and it gets you pumped up,” said Winefsky. “I know we won’t be running 340 mph, but I feel like we could definitely set some career-best numbers. Every run, we just try to race smart and move our program forward. I want to be out here full-time eventually, and you have to race within your means.”
Building an independent NHRA Funny Car operation requires more than horsepower. It also takes loyal partners willing to support the program as it grows. Throughout the season, the Nitro Moose team has relied on Robert’s Car Care, Stith Printing, and Bob Jackson Auto Body. For Sonoma, Sterling Homes for Sonoma joins the effort as a featured sponsor on the Funny Car.
Winefsky also understands the importance of connecting with fans and giving his partners exposure away from the racetrack. On Friday, he’ll participate in the NHRA Kids-Only Autograph Session under the main grandstands before joining fellow drivers for the ticketed Launch Pad fan event ahead of the evening qualifying session.
“We are always looking to promote our sponsors throughout the weekend,” said Winefsky. “I love doing the autograph sessions, and we have done the NHRA stage several times. I want to be able to talk with fans about how I got into racing and why they should support our sponsors.”
While a first-round victory remains one of the team’s biggest goals, the broader mission is clear. Every qualifying position earned, every competitive run, and every piece of data collected helps strengthen a family-owned operation determined to establish itself among NHRA’s toughest Funny Car competitors.
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