John Force Racing and Speedmaster have finalized a multi-year partnership that places the high-performance automotive parts manufacturer as co-primary sponsor of Josh Hart’s Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Burnyzz Speed Shop will share co-primary placement on the entry as part of the agreement.
The partnership will debut during the NHRA’s 75th anniversary season opener, the AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA Gatornationals, scheduled for March 5–8 at Gainesville Raceway. The event marks Hart’s first start under the new sponsorship structure.
In addition to its Top Fuel presence, Speedmaster will serve as an associate sponsor on all three John Force Racing Funny Car teams. The Funny Car lineup includes Jack Beckman, Alexis DeJoria and Jordan Vandergriff, extending the brand’s visibility across multiple NHRA professional categories.
Speedmaster CEO Jason Kencevski said the agreement aligns the company with one of drag racing’s most established organizations. He framed the deal as a strategic investment rooted in shared values rather than short-term exposure.
“Speedmaster has always admired what John Force Racing represents, an unmatched legacy built on performance, resilience, and winning at the highest level,” Kencevski said. “Becoming part of that legacy through a multi-year partnership is a proud moment for us. Having Josh Hart behind the wheel representing Speedmaster and Burnyzz is incredibly exciting. Josh is a driven, successful CEO, and there’s a strong alignment between his mindset and our vision. This partnership brings together legacy and the next generation, and we believe it helps set a powerful example for young entrepreneurs and leaders across the automotive industry.
“We hope this partnership becomes a North Star for younger leaders in our industry who want to build something meaningful, competitive, and lasting. It reflects why Speedmaster is one of the only aftermarket manufacturers holding a primary sponsorship role in the NHRA Top Fuel ranks.”
Hart’s role in securing the partnership underscores a growing trend of driver-led sponsorship development within professional drag racing. The arrangement strengthens John Force Racing’s commercial base while expanding Speedmaster’s footprint in one of motorsports’ most visible categories.
Founded in 1979 as Pete’s Performance, Speedmaster began as a small garage-based operation building engines for local racers. The company has since grown into a global manufacturer employing more than 500 people across three continents and producing more than 25,000 performance parts.
John Force, the 16-time NHRA Funny Car world champion and team owner, credited Hart for driving the deal from inception to completion. Force said the agreement reflects a shift in how modern partnerships are formed within the sport.
“I’ve chased sponsors for decades, and had people chase sponsors for me almost as long, but this is the first time I’ve had a driver put a sponsorship program together,” Force said. “Josh had the relationship with Jason and Speedmaster and he made the deal so he deserves the credit. I’m just thrilled to be a part of it and have this partnership across all our race cars.”
