Speedmaster has elevated its involvement with John Force Racing, moving into a full primary sponsorship role on Josh Hart’s Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The expanded agreement marks a rapid evolution of a partnership that began earlier this season.
The company was initially introduced Jan. 28 as a co-primary sponsor alongside Burnyzz Speed Shop. Both brands will continue to maintain visibility across all four John Force Racing teams throughout the 2026 campaign.
The newly branded Speedmaster Top Fuel dragster is scheduled to debut at the NHRA Winternationals, April 10-12 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. The move places Speedmaster at the forefront of one of the sport’s most established organizations.
The partnership’s quick expansion reflects both business alignment and personal connection between Hart and Speedmaster leadership. It also provides additional stability as Hart builds momentum in his first season with John Force Racing.
“I’ve never had a sponsor contribute so much so fast,” said Hart. “The partnership is beyond just parts and sponsorship for the race car. We quickly became friends. We quickly understand each other’s businesses. Jason’s been great. The whole Speedmaster team has really been kind of rallying behind this. He mentioned to me that this is a lifelong dream of his to be a primary sponsor on a Top Fuel car with John Force Racing. The fact that we were able to collaborate and put it together as quickly as we did is absolutely epic. Speedmaster stepping into the primary spot alleviates some pressure on me, puts them in the spotlight, which is what they deserve and, hopefully, it’s a long-term partnership for years to come.”
Hart’s on-track performance has mirrored the upward trajectory of the partnership. He opened the 2026 season with a victory at the Gatornationals in his debut with John Force Racing.
A second-round finish at the Arizona Nationals kept the team near the top of the standings. Hart enters Pomona second in Top Fuel points with 174, just two behind leader Doug Kalitta.
The early-season results underscore the team’s ability to contend immediately in a competitive field. They also reinforce Hart’s transition into a championship-caliber operation.
John Force Racing’s history at Pomona adds another layer of expectation heading into the Winternationals. The organization has recorded 32 victories at the facility, including 17 at the Winternationals and 14 at the season-ending Finals.
Those numbers highlight the team’s consistency at one of the most significant venues on the NHRA schedule. They also set a benchmark for Hart as he prepares for his first Pomona appearance under the John Force Racing banner.
Hart believes the team’s early success is tied to both performance gains and improved communication. He points to a collaborative approach that balances risk and data-driven decisions.
“Even though we went out in the second round at Arizona, I think, as of right now, I may have already eclipsed all of my round wins from last year already this year. So, for me, this early season has been very positive. There’s a lot of momentum, a lot of excitement. The track was hot in Arizona so we can’t beat everybody up over that. And we know that the conditions in Pomona are always good. So, I’m very confident. I think we’ll be right there in the Top 5 as far as qualifying goes, which will change our stars on race day. And we’ll get this Speedmaster team right back in line.”
The team’s strategy reflects a measured approach to qualifying and race-day execution. It prioritizes adaptability while maintaining a focus on long-term performance gains.
“It’s a collaborative effort where we have to make a risk-versus-reward assessment before we make every run. So, in qualifying, if we’re happy with where we qualified, maybe we don’t push as hard. Maybe we try to get better data. If we’re not happy where we are in qualifying, we may push harder knowing that we potentially can smoke the tires, but we have a shot at improving our qualifying position. And those types of educated decisions amongst the Speedmaster team and myself is something that you can’t find everywhere. A lot of people do not operate that way so I’m very proud of the communication and definitely feeling a very good vibe between me and the team.”
The combination of sponsorship strength and on-track results positions Hart as an early-season contender. As the series moves to Pomona, the debut of the Speedmaster primary scheme signals both momentum and expectation.
