After a solid 6th-place finish in the 2024 NHRA Pro Stock World Championship, Matt Hartford, CEO of Total Seal Piston Rings, isn’t resting on his laurels.

He and his team are gearing up for a full-throttle assault on the 2025 title, and they’re confident they have what it takes to reach that “elusive #1.”

Hartford, driving the Total Seal Pro Stock Camaro, is no stranger to the pressures of top-level drag racing. Now entering his 8th full-time season in the fiercely competitive Pro Stock category, Hartford has already racked up eight career wins. But the championship has remained just out of reach.

“Not satisfied with the 6th place result we had in 2024, we made several changes over the off season to be prepared for the 2025 title run,” Hartford stated.

While the specifics of those changes remain under wraps, the team has conducted “limited, but productive testing” prior to the start of the season.

“We are confident the KB Titan Racing engines will bring great power to the start of the season, and we feel we are ready,” he added, expressing his optimism. The connection between Hartford’s racing career and his company, Total Seal, is more than just sponsorship.

Total Seal, founded over 50 years ago, is a major player in the piston ring market, supplying rings for everything from race cars to heavy-duty diesel engines and even aircraft.

Total Seal is also known for their innovative Gapless piston ring design. Their gas-ported rings are one of their key technologies for maximizing engine efficiency, particularly in boosted applications.

It’s this understanding of engine performance, gained from both manufacturing and racing, that gives Hartford and his team a unique edge.

They’re not just bolting on parts; they’re applying decades of piston ring expertise to extract every last bit of power and reliability from their Pro Stock engine.

With a revamped car, a determined team, and the backing of a company built on performance, Matt Hartford is clearly a contender to watch in the 2025 NHRA Pro Stock season.

Will this be the year he finally claims that championship title? The competition will be fierce, but the Total Seal team is ready to give it everything they’ve got. The drag strip is the ultimate proving ground, and this team is ready for the fight.