SCAG Racing has hired veteran tuner Aaron Brooks to serve as crew chief for the Bluebird Turf/Dave Richards Funny Car team as the organization prepares for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The move signals an effort to stabilize and strengthen a program that has shown potential but lacked consistency.
Brooks brings years of experience across both nitro categories after advancing through the sport from crew member to crew chief. His reputation for stretching resources and developing personnel has made him one of the paddock’s more trusted voices.
The team confirmed that no other structural changes will be made heading into 2026. That continuity, paired with Brooks’ arrival, is viewed internally as an important foundation for long-term progress.
Richards said Brooks’ presence offers both familiarity and a new level of direction. He noted that Brooks has already worked with crew members Jay Ryskey and Glen Huszar, easing the transition into the offseason.
“I am extremely excited to have Aaron join our team,” Richards said. “He brings a lot of veteran experience that’s going to elevate our team right away. It’s a great fit as he’s already worked with Jay Ryskey and Glen Huszar, and I know these guys are going to gel instantly. I’m going to work hard this off-season physically and mentally to bring my best to the driver’s seat, and I’m planning on a breakthrough year for this Bluebird Turf team. Can’t wait to get started testing for this year.”
For Brooks, the role marks both a return to familiar relationships and an opportunity to influence a developing operation. He said the Richards family’s commitment to drag racing played a major part in his decision.
“I’m excited to join the team,” Brooks said. “I’ve known the Richards Brothers for a while now, and I know they are diehard racers. I’m looking forward to the season working with them and the guys, and hopefully we can make big strides with the Bluebird car.”
The team plans to debut with Brooks at the helm during the NHRA Gatornationals in March 2026 at Gainesville Raceway. That event traditionally sets the tone for early-season performance trends, giving Brooks a clear benchmark to measure the team’s offseason progress.
A productive start would help validate a move that SCAG Racing views as central to both competitive gains and program stability. The team believes Brooks’ technical approach and management style can help Richards build consistency on race day.
The pairing also offers an opportunity for incremental growth rather than wholesale reinvention. By retaining the existing crew and adding a seasoned leader, the Bluebird Turf program is betting that deliberate development can generate meaningful improvement.
Richards and Brooks enter 2026 aligned on expectations and prepared to lean on existing chemistry within the group. Their first test sessions early in the year will reveal how quickly that cohesion translates into performance.
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