Photo: KZ Photography

The NAPA Midwest NHRA Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway mark a critical point in the Countdown to the Championship, and Josh Hart knows it’s time to turn on some win lights. Sitting 10th in Top Fuel points, the Ocala, Florida driver and team owner is looking to replicate the kind of performance that carried him to a runner-up finish at this event in 2022.

“We have had some success in St. Louis, but we need to get back on track this Countdown,” Hart said. “The first two Countdown races haven’t gone our way. We’ve seen other teams make big jumps in points with race wins, and we want to take advantage of that opportunity this weekend.”

Hart has remained one of the sharpest leavers in Top Fuel, routinely posting some of the category’s best reaction times. At the Carolina Nationals, he left first against Doug Kalitta and Antron Brown with a blistering .038 light, the second-quickest of the opening session.

“I am working to give this team every advantage on race day, and the best thing I can do is get off the starting line first,” said Hart. “We have an amazing group of crew guys working on this R+L Carriers dragster. This is the end of a three-race, three-week stretch so we are all digging deep to give it our best.”

Last week in Charlotte, Hart ran the Brakes for Breasts livery, helping raise awareness for breast cancer research, a program he has supported for five consecutive seasons through TechNet Professional. Fans can still donate to the cause, but in St. Louis, he’ll return to the familiar green-and-yellow of R+L Carriers.

“I am very proud to be associated with TechNet and the Brakes for Breasts program,” said Hart. “This program does an amazing job of raising donations for breast cancer research and engaging the thousands of TechNet shops and their customers. I was thrilled to get this pink TechNet Brakes for Breasts Top Fuel dragster on the track last weekend.”

Hart has history at the Midwest Nationals, with a semifinal finish in his rookie season and a No. 2 qualifying spot in 2022. The past two seasons have ended in tight early-round losses, something he’s determined to change this year.

“We are working every race to build on consistency with the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team,” said Hart. “It is the playoffs, and everyone has raised their game. We have all the parts, pieces, and personnel to win races, we just need some things to fall our way on race day.”

In addition to Top Fuel, Hart will also wrap up his rookie campaign in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series this weekend. Driving the Burnyzz Speed Shop Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, Hart relishes the chance to show his Mopar roots in a class stacked with COPO Camaros and Cobra Jets.

“I have always been a huge fan of Mopar, and getting to race this Dodge Challenger Drag Pak has been a nice challenge this season,” said Hart. “When you are racing in two classes, all you are thinking about is racing, which I enjoy. It makes for a busy weekend, but it also gives all our hospitality guests two opportunities to root the team on.”

With four playoff races left, Hart and his R+L Carriers team know St. Louis could be the spark they need to launch a serious title run.