GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Josh Hart enjoyed a perfect start to his career at Gainesville Raceway in 2021, and the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Top Fuel rising star is now after another magical weekend at his home track during the upcoming Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals this weekend.
Hart made his Top Fuel debut at the track last year, becoming just the eighth driver in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series history to win their professional debut and the first in 20 years. Hart added another NHRA victory last year in his 11,000-horsepower R&L Carriers dragster, but the Gatornationals victory stands as a definitive highlight in his young career. A second straight victory at one of the biggest races on the NHRA circuit would be just as meaningful and Hart is just as focused as he was a year ago.
“My focus for the Gatornationals is the same as always,” Hart said. “We go up to the line to win and nothing is going to change for us. We don’t take days off. We will get everything done and reload the trailers. This will be a big race for us, and we definitely want to get another win here.”
In addition to regular Gatornationals competition, The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout will take place on Saturday, and be televised live on FOX.
The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout features a star-studded lineup, including four-time defending world champ Steve Torrence, former world champ Brittany Force, Phoenix winner Mike Salinas, Pomona winner and 2020 Rookie of the Year Justin Ashley, three-time champ Antron Brown, nine-time race winner Leah Pruett, 49-time event winner Doug Kalitta and former world champ Shawn Langdon.
Hart won’t be racing in the Callout, but he does have a chance for a second straight Gatornationals victory. He’s opened the year in solid fashion, advancing to the semifinals in Phoenix and currently sitting fifth in points. Hart has proven to be comfortable on the big stage in Gainesville as well, where he’ll again have the support of NHRA legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, who has been an instrumental part of Hart’s career.
“Big Daddy is always floating around and being supportive,” Hart said. “He was with me when I got my (Top Alcohol Dragster) license. Gainesville was no different, there were just a lot more people watching. That was a great win, but we used that to continue to build our program. We made some good runs in Phoenix, and we are moving in the right direction.”
J.R. Todd is also after back-to-back wins at the Gatornationals, something that has only been accomplished in Funny Car by a handful of class legends. Todd has a chance to join that illustrious group, while also picking up his first victory in his new 11,000-horsepower DHL Toyota GR Supra. The car has shown potential but taking the next step in Gainesville would be meaningful for the former world champ.
Nothing comes easy in Funny Car, as Todd will have to deal with the likes of points leader Robert Hight, who has won the first two races of the season and has four career victories in Gainesville. Others to watch include reigning world champ Ron Capps, John Force, who has won eight times in Gainesville, Cruz Pedregon, Phoenix runner-up Matt Hagan, Tim Wilkerson, Bob Tasca III and Alexis DeJoria.
“You look at the drivers that have gone back-to-back at the Gatornationals and it is a list of legends and Hall of Famers,” Todd said. “We have the new Supra Funny Car now so it would be cool for its first win on the NHRA tour to be the Gatornationals. This new Toyota GR Supra Funny Car is awesome and only getting better. It is cool to see the strides we have made over the off-season and where we are going. I think we will see more success this weekend at the Gatornationals.”
Greg Anderson won in Gainesville to open 2021 in Pro Stock, but it’s been a different story to open 2022 as Elite Motorsports has controlled the first two races. Erica Enders won in Pomona and Aaron Stanfield won in Phoenix while other top drivers include Troy Coughlin Jr., 2021 NHRA Rookie of the Year Dallas Glenn and Kyle Koretsky.
Pro Stock Motorcycle will open its campaign in Gainesville, as reigning world champ and event winner Matt Smith will look to get a jump on trying to win his sixth world championship. He’ll be challenged by six-time race winner Eddie Krawiec, Angelle Sampey, who has three Gainesville wins and Steve Johnson.