Newly licensed Fuel Funny Car driver Jonnie Lindberg will drive Jim Head's Funny Car during the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Lindberg, who earned his license under the tutelage of Tim Wilkerson, is expected to compete in 16 - 18 races this season, starting with the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Lindberg told NHRA.com. “About a week ago, I got a text from Dave Leahy of Electromotion who also works with the Head team, and he said, ‘Call me, we need a driver.’ I called right away and told them I’m up for it. Who would turn down a chance to drive a nitro Funny Car?

“I talked to Jim [Head, team owner and crew chief] for more than an hour today and I think he and I are on the same page,” Lindberg said. “He started out as a driver, owner and tuner and that’s pretty much what I’ve done the last two seasons. I told him that I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I want to learn as much as I can about running a nitro car.”

Lindberg made his first runs in a fuel Funny Car on the Monday after the Fall NHRA Las Vegas event, running as quick as 3.91 seconds at 321 miles per hour.

“I’ve always wanted to drive a fuel Funny Car,” Lindberg said. “Last year, my goal was to win a second [Top Alcohol Funny Car] championship and then get my fuel license. When I got the opportunity to drive Tim’s car, I thought it was a good idea to have the license just in case someone was looking for a driver. I didn’t expect that anything would happen this quickly, but I’m happy that it did.”

Lindberg brings a winning record in the Lucas Oil Sportsman ranks, having won six national event titles in the last two championship seasons.

Team owner Jim Head said he was looking forward to working with Lindberg.

“Jonnie and I have a lot in common,” Head said. “We both race for the same reason. He’s a one-man band; someone who drives his own truck and puts his own awning up. That’s how I started, and even though I’m a long way from that now, I did it for a lot of years. I can relate to someone who has gone through all that. I think it will be a good combination.”

Lindberg replaces Chad Head, who is stepping away from drag racing to devote more time to the family business.