Joe C. Maynard, with a background in military aviation and local dirt track racing, is set to debut in NHRA’s Top Alcohol Dragster category at the Division 2 event at Gainesville Raceway. Maynard, driving the JCM Racing/Leatherwood Distillery A/Fuel Dragster, aims to compete for a Wally trophy in his rookie season.

Maynard, a former Chief Warrant Officer Four in the U.S. Army, brings extensive experience in handling high-pressure situations from his 20-year military career. His transition to drag racing follows successful stints in local dirt track competitions and training at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, where he earned his Top Alcohol Dragster license.

“Making my NHRA debut is something I’ve been thinking about for a while,” said Maynard, who will drive the JCM Racing/Leatherwood Distillery A/Fuel Dragster throughout his 2024 rookie campaign. “I’ve always loved racing and fast cars, and being out at the track these past few years has really got the competitive juices flowing.”

The 2024 season marks Maynard’s full-time commitment to NHRA competition, with plans to participate in divisional and national events, positioning himself for a shot at the championship. The JCM Racing/Leatherwood Distillery A/Fuel Dragster, under the operation of Samsel Racing, offers Maynard a platform to showcase his skills on the national stage.

“I can’t wait to get out there and compete,” Maynard added. “To be able to run a full season and have the opportunity to compete for a championship in my first year is unbelievable. Since I retired from the military, I haven’t been able to really compete, and this is a different type of competition. That being said, I’m not naïve to think that I don’t need as much seat time as possible at this point. I am a true rookie in every sense when it comes to driving an A/Fuel car, but I do believe that having spent so many years operating in some of the most extreme, tense situations has trained me to keep a cool head and remain calm under pressure, which I feel will translate to driving.”

While overseeing JCM Racing’s driver development program, Maynard has diligently prepared for his drag racing debut, focusing on reaction times and visualization techniques. Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Maynard remains cautious, prioritizing safety and relying on the support of seasoned drivers for guidance.

“I’ve been practicing my reaction times and doing a lot of visualization techniques, such as my staging procedures,” said Maynard, whose son, Shelby Maynard, recently made his NHRA debut aboard a Jr. Roadster. “I’m ready to get strapped in, but I’m also very aware of being careful not to allow ego to get the best of me. If I’m ever at a point where I’m in the car and I feel like I’m in over my head or don’t know where I am on the racetrack, I’ll do the smart thing and lift off the throttle. Thankfully, I’m surrounded by great drivers that I can lean on for guidance. I’m very much looking forward to next weekend; it can’t come soon enough.”