Top Fuel championship contender Clay Millican will be back in the Great Clips / Parts Plus / Strutmasters.com Dragster in 2019. But the Stringer Performance entry will have a new organization in place behind the scenes.

In a prepared statement issued Friday, Stringer Performance owner Doug Stringer announced he’ll team with Scott Gardner and Jonathan "J.J." Koehler in forming a new company at the conclusion of the 2018 NHRA Mello-Yello Drag Racing season.

In the interim, Gardner and Koehler will observe current operations and begin immediate groundwork for 2019, according to company spokeswoman Stacey Murdock.

Gardner is past president of the International Hot Rod Association and a former track owner-operator. He’ll continue working as a consultant to the racing industry with his company, Gardner Race Track Consultants.

Koehler, an electronic security expert, owns FSS Electronics and its subsidiary company, Timing & Audio of Illinois City, Ill. He will bring 24 years of motorsports operations management and technical support experience to the new alliance.

Gardner will serve as the Chief Marketing Officer with emphasis on marketing and sponsorship. Koehler will serve as Chief Financial Officer. Stringer will continue direct involvement in daily operations as Chief Operating Officer. All three partners said they plan to take an aggressive approach with efforts to maximize marketing, promotion, and on-track performance.

"This is an incredible opportunity to join a professional NHRA race team in pursuit of a Top Fuel championship,” Koehler said. “We are committed to the long-term growth and success of the entire operation."

“Doug, Clay, David, and the entire team are tremendous people,” Gardner said, “and together we will have an incredible future.”

McLeansboro, Ill.-headquartered Stringer Performance launched in 2015, and it’s in its fourth year of competition in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. David Grubnic will remain crew chief, and the organization will continue to work with current marketing partners Parts Plus, Great Clips, and Strutmasters.com.

Stringer has more than 30 years of experience in the motorsports industry. He beagn in drag racing but became more involved in team ownership in NASCAR’s Busch Series (now the Xfinity Series). There he won multiple races with NASCAR star Kasey Kahne. In 2015, he returned to his drag racing roots, starting Stringer Performance.

“Strength comes from numbers and talent,” he said, “and these gentlemen bring skill sets to our organization that will significantly enhance our program with fresh ideas and new opportunities.”

A 2019 team initiative, the announcement said, “will include a philanthropic movement of practicing corporate social responsibility for its actions and through its activities will positively affect society, consumers, employees, and other stakeholders. More information will be forthcoming concerning this endeavor.”

Millican said, “I am excited for this addition to our team. Scott and J.J. will do nothing but make this a stronger team. I have known Scott and J.J. for over 20 years. They are good people and friends. They will bring a wealth of knowledge to our team.”