New drivers, new positions, awards and a new ride for Spencer Hyde.
There was plenty of news coming out of this past week’s Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in frigid Indianapolis. While the weather was exceptionally cold, the news inside Indy’s convention center was exceptionally hot. Especially at the large and well-attended NHRA booth. It wasn’t really a booth, per se, but an extended area where fans and participants in the sport of drag racing could arrive, learn and enjoy learning the news that was imparted over three days of this important show.
Among the news were the second annual NHRA All-Star team revelations, as voted by NHRA National Dragster readers. There were many important names in this grouping, with the historic In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip being named track of the year, Precision Built Race Cars (PBRC) named racecar builder of the year for being the go-to constructor for many nitro teams, champion Aaron Stanfield earning Factory X driver of the year, 2023 European Top Fuel champ Ida Zetterstrom named best new pro talent, Cody Lane as sportsman driver of the year and alcohol driver of the year Sean Bellemeur.
The work of Allison McCormick, who does public relations for many teams in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, was recognized as social media account of the year for her AB Motorsports activities, while the team of Jimmy Prock, Thomas Prock and Nate Hildahl earned pro tuners of the year. Austin Prock, earning his first Funny Car champion was the hands-down pro driver of the year, while John Force earned by person of the year and, of course, fan favorite.
There was plenty more news, including the announcement by Jim Head Racing that its available seat in the team’s Ford Mustang will go to Pro Mod racer Spencer Hyde from Ontario province in Canada. The 33-year-old will need to make his requisite cross-over passes to convert his Top Fuel license to Funny Car during this off-season. Last year this team earned a single victory at Brainerd International Raceway with Blake Alexander at the controls; Jim Head tuned the Mustang to seven added semifinal results and seven top-four qualifying spots.
Hyde was over the moon to receive the call-up from Jim Head: When I got the call from Jim Head, honestly, it was humbling to even be considered for this opportunity. I spent some time with Jim recently,” he revealed, “and we have had some great conversations. I am looking forward to this challenge. Driving a Pro Mod car is a handful because they are so unpredictable, and getting to make nearly 20 passes in Paton’s Top Fuel dragster has given me the acceleration experience. I know Funny Cars are a whole different deal,” Hyde said, “but I can’t wait to give it my best!”
Like so many in the sport, Spencer Hyde started racing in the Junior Dragster ranks in 2006. He went on to race Top Dragster, Top Sportsman, Outlaw 10.5 and a variety of sportsman and bracket classes, on both regional and national levels. In 2021, he was recognized by Drag Illustrated as a member of the magazine’s 30 Under 30 class. Most recently, Hyde raced Pro Modified with PDRA in the Pro Boost class, winning the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod in March of 2023.
Hyde earned his Top Fuel license in February of 2023 and competed in that class at two NHRA National events: the 2023 In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals and this past season at the 2024 NHRA Texas FallNationals. It was Jim Head’s son, Chad Head, the manager at Kalitta Motorsports, who recommended Hyde to his father for the open seat. Head inquired about Hyde’s interest as well as the possible opportunity to race a full NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, while still being involved in his family’s construction business, Hyde Construction.
It was important to balance Hyde’s extensive involvement in the day-to-day rapidly expanding and well-respected family business together with his racing aspirations. Since Head is also an expert in the construction and engineering world, the duo talked about these issues as the relationship for 2025 was finalized. Hyde examined his previous Pro Mod schedule and figured the transition to a complete, 20-race Funny Car schedule wasn’t out of reach. The conversations with Jim Head accelerated about as quickly as a Flopper after that realization.
“Chad was a big supporter for Spencer,” Jim Head said, “and he made a good case for him. Head, the Hall of Fame driver, tuner and team owner liked what he saw. “He has come up through the racing ranks and I like that he is a levelheaded guy who has a passion for drag racing. The fact that he has made passes in a Top Fuel dragster and had success in Pro Mod was a plus. We have had a lot of success the past two seasons with Blake [Alexander] driving for us and I don’t see any reasons we can’t keep turning on win lights with Spencer,” Head concluded.
While completion of Hyde’s cross-over licensing and possible testing plans are coming together, both Hyde and Head expect to be on-site and competing during the season-opening 55th annual NHRA Gatornationals, March 6-9 at historic Gainesville Raceway.
NHRA also announced the continuation of Lucas Oil as sponsor at Indianapolis Raceway Park during the PRI show. This is a long-term extension of the pact between Lucas Oil and NHRA for the track that is undergoing massive updates. Lucas Oil IRP is the site of NHRA’s prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, the final event in NHRA’s “regular” season before the start of its Countdown to the Championship six-race playoffs. Part of the agreement includes prominent track signage for Lucas Oil at both the dragstrip and paved oval track, where NASCAR holds its annual CRAFTSMAN Truck Series contest when that tour is in the Indianapolis area.
Among the renovations the facility is currently undergoing is new Wally Parks Tower, renovated suites, a new entrance for fans and moving the professional pits to the west side of the facility. The tower is expected to be completed in time for the Labor Day U.S. Nationals in September of 2025, becoming an impressive three-story facility housing race control, media center, television broadcasting capabilities and three suites on the third floor.
“We’re thrilled to have Lucas Oil continue as the title sponsor of Indianapolis Raceway Park and continue this incredible partnership,” noted NHRA vice president of track management and operations, Kasey Coler. “They’ve been a terrific sponsor for so many years and have always shown a strong commitment to the facility.” Brandon Bernstein, director of partnership marketing for Lucas Oil agreed: “It has been a huge thrill for Lucas Oil to be the title sponsor of an iconic track like Indianapolis Raceway Park for so many years, and we’re proud to announce this new, long-term extension. This has been a tremendous relationship and it means a great deal for Lucas Oil to be associated with the track and all of the amazing events that take place there.”
By Anne Proffit
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