Funny Car driver Buddy Hull will debut a new car and Blaze Exhaust Probes livery at the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals on June 21-22. Hull, in his second season with Jim Dunn Racing, enters the Virginia Motorsports Park event after two consecutive quarterfinal finishes.
The Richmond race will mark the first appearance of the Blaze-branded paint scheme on Hull’s Funny Car. Blaze Exhaust Probes, a longtime partner of the team, manufactures high-performance temperature sensors.
“I’m proud to debut this Blaze Exhaust Probes livery,” said Hull. “They stand for precision and performance, and that’s the mindset I bring to every pass.”
The win at Bristol provided a combination of the highest high and the lowest low.
For the second time in as many races, Hull took out defending NHRA series champion Austin Prock in the first round. After the first round win in Bristol, the parachute on the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car failed to deploy, sending Hull into the sandtrap at the top of Bristol Dragway’s storied dragstrip.
“Funny Cars are extreme machines, but I’m learning every run,” Hull said.
Hull will be driving a new car in Virginia following the Bristol incident. He brought the car to a safe stop and credits the team’s quick turnaround with keeping them on track.
“We’ve been in Indy all week preparing the new car,” said crew chief Jon Dunn. “Big Jim’s been managing from the phone and we worked through Father’s Day. Thanks to Antron Brown Motorsports and Murf McKinney Corporation for their help.”
Hull praised the team’s preparation and is eager to compete with the new car. He said the condensed two-day event format suits his style and demands full focus from the start.
“There’s no easing into it here,” Hull said. “From the first burnout, we’re locked in. This team is ready.”
The Virginia Nationals feature three qualifying rounds on Saturday. The 16 fastest Funny Cars will advance to eliminations on Sunday, which begin at 12 p.m. ET and air on FOX.
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