If you are going to go, then go all in. At least, that’s how Jacob McNeal sees it. 

McNeal, who most recently drove a Top Fuel dragster for Scott Palmer, recently acquired the Top Fuel operation of Buddy Hull. 

McNeal is set to embark on his NHRA Rookie of the Year campaign in the Poseidon Oilfield Services Top Fuel dragster with Mike Guger serving as crew chief. The journey commences at the NHRA Gatornationals, scheduled for March 8 to 10, 2024, at Gainesville Raceway.

McNeal will compete at various events throughout the year, including the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals, the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals, the Gerber Collison & Glass Rt 66 Nationals in Chicago, the newly announced Virginia Nationals, the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals in Dallas, and the Nevada Nationals in October. Additionally, McNeal plans to participate in the NHRA national event in July, yet to be announced, as well as the US Nationals.

“This is a huge step for me, and I could not be more excited. I have to thank Scott Palmer and Buddy Hull for all their encouragement and support,” said McNeal. “This has been a dream since I started racing Junior Dragsters and bracket cars. I have always owned my race cars and when the opportunity came to buy Buddy’s race car, I jumped on it, and to also be able to work with Mike Guger is awesome. I have been lucky to have great mentors and supporters going back to Fred Spell Jr. when I was just getting started.”

McNeal’s racing career began in the Junior Dragster ranks before progressing to bracket cars. In 2012, he achieved his first significant victory, winning the Race of Champions (Division 4 ET Finals). Following this success, McNeal concentrated on honing his skills behind the wheel of a bracket dragster. To fund his racing aspirations, he worked in the oilfields, steadily saving money to invest in his racing career. Eventually, he transitioned to A/Fuel dragster racing under Randy Meyer. In 2022, McNeal obtained his license in Del Worsham’s dragster and later teamed up with Scott Palmer for four national events in 2023. Notably, he achieved a quarterfinal finish at Chicago, where he qualified 13th and bested Justin Ashley in the first round, ultimately losing to runner-up Josh Hart in the second round.

Throughout his journey, McNeal has relied on the guidance and expertise of Palmer and Hull as he pursued his ambition of a full-time Top Fuel career. The opportunity to fulfill this dream emerged when Hull transitioned to Funny Car racing under NHRA legend Jim Dunn.

Aside from his involvement with Poseidon Oilfield Services, McNeal also owns Poseidon Trucking based in East Texas. He looks forward to securing additional sponsorships for his new team and competing for the NHRA Rookie of the Year title in 2024.

“I want to chase that rookie of the year award and I think racing almost half the season we can have a good shot,” said McNeal. “I am talking with a lot of people and companies at PRI and in the off-season about coming on board with our program. I want to build a professional team that even though we might not be at every race when we show up, we are ready to win, and we look and act like we belong. These next few months will be busy, but I can’t wait to get to the Gatornationals.”