Veteran Top Alcohol Dragster competitor and one-time Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Mick Steele is returning to his roots in 2023, transitioning his entire program over to the NHRA’s newly adopted nitro-burning A/Fuel Funny Car package for Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competition.

“I’ve always been a Funny Car guy,” Steele said. “I wanted to run nitro so we went to the A/Fuel [dragster] class but as soon as [NHRA] announced this injected nitro Funny Car deal, I went back. I sold all of my dragster stuff so there’s no going back now,” Steele told NHRA.com.

Steele purchased a complete nitro chassis and Ford Mustang body from John Force Racing. As is well known, nitro engines perform optimally with a load (ie. aerodynamic load) placed upon them after the clutch locks up, and the Mustang body reportedly produces more downforce than the late-model Camaro body that is practically standard fare in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class these days.

Steele, who last drove a Funny Car in 1999, finished 6th last season in the North Central Region Top Alcohol Dragster standings. He and crew chief Rick Hickman hope to debut the car at the upcoming Baby Gators Lucas Oil Series event at Gainesville Raceway, March 1-5.