SRI Performance and Daido Metal will sponsor Paul Lee Racing’s McLeod Racing Nitro Funny Car at the NHRA Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals. This partnership comes as the team leads the points heading into the event at ZMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.
SRI Performance has become the exclusive distributor for Daido Metal Nitro Bearings, with Lee’s team serving as their official Nitro Funny Car team. The car will also showcase products from Spa Technique and Riken Rings, with SPA providing fire suppression systems and Riken offering high-performance rings.
Greg Fornelli, owner and president of SRI Performance, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “After the big win at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, there’s a ton of momentum heading into Charlotte,” he said.
Chad Elliott, SRI’s director of technical sales, praised Riken’s new ring packages for the NHRA Nitro division. “They continue to improve the product and have new designs to test later this season,” he noted.
Daido Metal is new to NHRA drag racing but has made strides with its performance bearings, with support from Lee’s crew chief Jonnie Lindberg and consultant John Medlen. “Together, we’re enhancing our products and elevating the sport,” said Dustin Kull, race account manager at Daido Metal USA.
Paul Lee Racing has enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 NHRA season, recording Lee’s first-ever Nitro Funny Car win in Phoenix and a runner-up finish in Las Vegas. With this performance, Lee reclaimed the lead in the NHRA Nitro Funny Car championship standings.
“Our race team has been performing at the highest level and a big part of our success are partners like SRI and Daido Metal,” said team owner and driver Paul Lee. “We already have a win this year and lead the points heading into Charlotte.”
In addition, Lee has qualified for the Mission 2Fast2Tasty Challenge scheduled for Saturday during afternoon Nitro Funny Car qualifying. The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series will take place in Charlotte from April 25-27, 2025.
