Spencer Hyde didn’t just roll into Charlotte with a Funny Car this week. He showed up with a new sponsor and the kind of momentum that usually gets people paying attention.
Hyde will carry The Caine Group as primary sponsor at this weekend’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, the only four-wide race on the 2026 schedule and one of the few events where things can go right or wrong in a hurry.
The connection started here last year.
Hyde met company representatives during the 2025 Charlotte event, stayed in contact and kept the conversation moving. A year later, their name is on the car.
The Caine Group is owned by Jim and Janet Russell, who named the company after their late son, Caine, a drag racing fan. That makes this one mean a little more than a standard sponsor release.
“We met with the folks from The Caine Group during the race and after the race we came back to North Carolina and spent some time getting to know them,” Hyde said. “They have a lot going on in North Carolina and they wanted to support our Funny Car team, so we worked out a deal for them to be the primary sponsor for this weekend’s 4-Wide Nationals.”
Hyde also isn’t the same driver who first came here last season. He has more laps under him, more confidence around him and a runner-up finish from Arizona in the recent past.
That tends to change conversations.
Companies would rather join a team climbing than one explaining. Hyde has given people something better to talk about than potential.
“They have been fans of the NHRA for a while and recognize what a family friendly sport this is, so it was a great fit,” Hyde said.
The Caine Group joins Outlaw Light Beer among newer partners on Hyde’s Head Contractors and Engineers-backed operation. Hyde also remains the only full-time Canadian driver in Funny Car.
Charlotte can expose people fast. Four lanes, split-second decisions and no time to recover will do that.
Hyde believes his team is ready for it. If they are, the new sponsor picked a good weekend to jump in.
“We are constantly talking with people and companies about the benefits of the NHRA. We both run family-owned businesses, and this was a win-win for both groups,” Hyde said.
The wrap gets attention early. Going rounds is what keeps attention later.
“This season is off to a good start on the track, and we are looking forward to more exciting announcements off the track,” Hyde said. “Jim is a great team owner and crew chief, so this Funny Car is going to go rounds and we want to make sure we are giving our marketing partners both old and new the best bang for their buck.”
