Former Funny Car champion turned drag racing school instructor could test in Phoenix …

All it took was a hint from team owner Mike Ashley in an interview to start the fires of speculation to burning.

“It's most likely going to be Frank Hawley driving for now,” Ashley said. “Won't that be exciting to see Frank Hawley racing John Force again?”

Hawley, a two-time NHRA Funny Car champion under the tuning of Austin Coil, could possibly assume the driving chores for a second Funny Car team under the Gotham City Racing umbrella of Ashley and Roger Burgess.

Hawley says such a proposition would be exciting, although it’s not an official deal.

Former Funny Car champion turned drag racing school instructor could test in Phoenix …

All it took was a hint from team owner Mike Ashley in an interview to start the fires of speculation to burning.

“It's most likely going to be Frank Hawley driving for now,” Ashley said. “Won't that be exciting to see Frank Hawley racing John Force again?”

Hawley, a two-time NHRA Funny Car champion under the tuning of Austin Coil, could possibly assume the driving chores for a second Funny Car team under the Gotham City Racing umbrella of Ashley and Roger Burgess.

Hawley says such a proposition would be exciting, although it’s not an official deal.

“We’ve been talking about it,” Hawley said. “Whether I drive or not will be determined by Mike and Roger Burgess, they are the team owners. This will also be contingent on the additional sponsorship to run the second Funny Car. Mike and Roger will ultimately decide who will be in the car.”

Just the idea of returning to active competition for the first time since he drove for Darrell Gwynn following his accident in 1990.

“I think it will be a great opportunity to do some driving again,” said Hawley. “It’s been a while since I’ve driven but I haven’t been away from the sport. It will give me a chance to work with the caliber of people that Mike and Roger have assembled. That would be absolutely wonderful and they are two exceptionally bright people. They very confident in their jobs and very dedicated to a fast and safe racing program. What a neat opportunity should everything work out like that?”

Hawley will have to redo his licensing procedures and confirmed that could begin as early as next weekend in Phoenix, Arizona. This will mark the first time he’s driven a nitro Funny Car since his days behind the wheel of the Chi-Town Hustler.

“I’d have to go back and make runs and get up to speed like a rookie driver,” Hawley said. “It’s been a while but I’ve been able to make some runs in the school’s car from time to time.

“The Funny Cars have changed quite a bit since I drove the Chi-Town Hustler.”