When one only has $300 to start a business with their wife and succeeds against the odds - nothing can overwhelm them, not even the best of the best in the Top Fuel division competing for the largest winner’s purse in the history of drag racing’s quickest and fastest eliminator.

“I know what real pressure is,” Hart added.

And coming from a driver who won in his Top Fuel debut back in 2021 [Gainesville, Fla.] and, earlier this year, won in his first-ever special race-within-a-race at the Pep Boys Allstar Callout event during the NHRA Gatornationals.

Racing is essential for Hart. Winning is important for the successful businessman from Ocala, Fla. He would love nothing more than to be the winner of the $250,000 winner’s purse for the SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park coming up in February.

“You have to really focus on what is important and deal with a lot of outside noise and I have been very fortunate to have worked my way up, and now I can live my dream of racing and working with cars on and off the track,” Hart said. “It really comes down to surrounding yourself with the right people.”

This critical business trait is something Hart has managed to do on and off the track.

Hart’s tuner and shot-caller is crew chief Ron Douglas, who has had a successful career as a Funny Car and Top Fuel crew chief. Their relationship has matured since day one and is one of mutual respect and quiet confidence.

“Ron and I had a deal that we made the first season we worked together,” said Hart. “We don’t get to yell at each other, regardless of how things shake out. He knows when he makes a mistake, and I know when I make a mistake. We really pride ourselves on self-reflection. So basically, the answer to that question is our relationship is awesome. It’s still kind of in its infancy, but I’ve seen him in the dumps. I’ve seen him at highlights. He’s seen me in the dumps, and he’s seen me in highlights.”

Most of those highlights, Hart smiles have come in his home state and in Gainesville, Fla. Last year was the first time he’d competed in the Pep Boys Allstar Callout race and took home the $80,000 top prize.

“We have had some really big wins in Florida at first-time races for our R+L Carriers team,” said Hart, who also has two NHRA national event Top Fuel wins to his credit. “Last year was our biggest win getting that Pep Boys Allstar Callout $80,000, and I want to get my hands on that $250,000 check at the PRO race. We have a really strong team and our program was coming around at the end of the season last year, so we’ll be ready.”

Hart would be lying if he said he wasn’t anxious to get the Bradenton event underway.

“I think events like this are what drag racing needs,” said Hart. “You see other motorsports racing for big money every weekend, and this is our chance to put some big money on the line and see who can get the win lights when the pressure is on. All the big names in Top Fuel will be there racing for one of eight spots, and I want to be sure we put this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster in one of those spots.”

“I think the biggest thing fans will come away from when they get a ticket to the PRO Superstar Shootout is the fan access and the overall experience. Everyone involved has made a commitment to make this event great for the fans.”