With a couple of weeks between NHRA’s Texas FallNationals and next weekend’s Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals, the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series landscape is taking time to change. Over the past week we’ve seen Mike Green leave SCAG Racing to go to Elite Motorsport’s new team, leaving 2011 championship Funny Car crew chief Tommy DeLago in charge of Justin Ashley’s entry. Ashley, of course, currently holds second place in the standings with this upcoming event that begins on Halloween and the season-closer two weekends later on the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
Whle Ashley’s team was reconnecting following Green’s departure and DeLago’s ascension, other changes were being made. Today, Thursday, October 23 we learned that Jason McCulloch, the second generation crew chief who had been working with Ron Douglas at Josh Hart Racing, has received his boss’ okay to go to Ashley’s team as co-crew chief with DeLago. McCulloch’s departure is immediate and he’s joining the championship contenders as they attempt to halt Doug Kalitta’s opportunity to secure a second Top Fuel title in the space of two seasons.
Ashley has worked hard to get to this point, and having Tommy DeLago and Jason McCulloch working together to help him attain a first Top Fuel championship certainly makes sense. “This is a great move for Jason, who I have the utmost respect for,” Josh Hart said. “Jason is a major talent, and this is a great opportunity for him to win another championship with Justin Ashley and the SCAG Top Fuel team.” As is typical with Hart, “I have been working on a variety of fronts to make sure all my people are taken care of, with all the changes that have happened with my operation,” Hart said.
The change is a definite value-adder for Ashley and his SCAG Racing team. “He brings another valuable layer of knowledge, expertise and championship winning experience to our program,” Ashley reminded. “We are grateful to Josh for his blessing and look forward to watching Tommy and Jason work closely together.” With McCulloch’s departure, that leaves Ron Douglas as sole crew chief for these remaining two races before Hart becomes part of the John Force Racing Top Fuel squad.
McCulloch joined Hart’s team at the start of this season to give Douglas, a team part-owner, a second set of ears and eyes. He’s been part of race- and championship-winning drag racing teams throughout his career, working alongside such stellar crew chiefs as Alan Johnson and powerhouse teams like John Force Racing, Kalitta Motorsports and Capco Racing. McCulloch has also been crew chief for several independent teams during his NHRA tenure.
“Jason was a positive addition” to Josh Hart Racing, Hart said. This move has my full blessing and I want to see Jason get another championship. He is one of the brightest guys out here and I appreciate everything he has done for our team this season.”
There’s news on the Pro Mod front as well, as NHRA has taken the opportunity to increase that category’s number of race meetings to 11 from the customary 10 events. For NHRA’s 75th anniversary 2026 season, the Pro Mod class will include a stop at Summit Motorsports Park for the 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, and will see this event kick off the class’ “Road to the Championship” playoffs. After six regular-season races, the five-race playoffs kick off at Summit Motorsports Park the final weekend of June (June 25-28) next year.
The Ohio track is a favorite for competitors and fans, so marking the start of Pro Mod playoffs at this facility is a natural. Summit Motorsports Park has long been a regular and traditional stop for Pro Mod racing and making this visit the start of the class’ playoffs chase is a natural. “Our fans are more than excited to have Pro Mod back in Norwalk (Ohio) for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals,” said Bill Bader Jr., track owner. “Our NHRA National event is a premier stop on the tour and our fans deserve to see all the star of the NHRA galaxy. I’m pretty excited, too!” he remarked.
Next week’s race on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the close of the current 2025 Pro Mod campaign. It promises to be an epic contest in this class, with Billy Banaka attempting to secure his first Pro Mod world championship; he is chased by Michael Stavrinos and Derek Menholt, who are 11 and 18 points in arrears, respectively; J.R. Geray is 24 points back in fourth place.
|
Leave a Reply