Josh Hart will make his final start as an independent Top Fuel team owner this weekend at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, closing the book on one chapter of his career before moving to John Force Racing in 2026. The Ocala, Florida, driver announced earlier this fall that Richard Freeman’s Elite Motorsports organization had purchased the assets of his Top Fuel operation, signaling a major shift in his career trajectory.
Hart, who will take over the seat vacated by two-time world champion Brittany Force, said he intends to finish strong despite the transitional atmosphere. “We aren’t in the championship conversation, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have an impact on who hoists the trophy,” Hart said. “In the past we have won some rounds and hurt some feelings. My mindset is I want to go into the off-season with some momentum, and getting a win in Pomona will do just that.”
For the latter part of 2025, Hart found himself straddling two worlds — honoring existing sponsor obligations while preparing for a future under one of drag racing’s most recognized banners. It’s a balancing act familiar to many racers whose programs shift midstream. The difference, Hart said, is maintaining pride in what his small independent team achieved against factory-backed giants.
He has always taken the long road. After debuting in Top Fuel in 2021, Hart built his program from scratch out of Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala. The early years included a pair of national-event wins and a steady presence in the top half of the field, accomplishments that earned him a reputation for punching above his budget.
Earlier this year, Pomona was the site of Hart’s quickest pass of the season — a 3.675-second, 330-mph blast during the Winternationals. He backed it up with a first-round win over Justin Ashley before bowing out in the quarterfinals. Now, as he prepares for his final race under the R+L Carriers banner, he hopes to duplicate that early-season form.
“We made some great runs in Pomona earlier this season and I think we can do that again,” Hart said. “I am appreciative of all my guys and I am working to make sure they all have a good situation when the season wraps up. I am a man of my word, and I said I would take care of my people, so that is what I plan to do.”
That mindset reflects how Hart has handled the business side of racing — quiet, deliberate, and loyal. He’s not the type to burn bridges on his way out of the pits. Even as he prepares to join John Force Racing, Hart continues to field calls, help mechanics find work, and ensure equipment transitions smoothly.
He said he’s determined to leave his independent operation with its dignity intact. “A lot of people talk about family in racing,” Hart said. “For me, that’s real. These guys helped me build this team from a bare shop floor. Making sure they’re all set before we roll into 2026 is what matters most.”
In recent weeks, Hart facilitated the move of crew chief Jason McCulloch to the championship-contending SCAG Top Fuel team. Crew member Dustin Ostaszewski has transitioned to running Victor Machine Works in Brownsburg, Indiana, while two others — David Gaterell and Alex Barrett — joined Burnyzz Speed Shop to help expand its national footprint.
“I am excited about my future racing in Top Fuel with John Force Racing and I am thrilled with the future opportunities for all my guys,” Hart said. “Over the past four years I have learned a lot and I am looking forward to just focusing on driving and winning. This weekend at Pomona I can already feel a huge weight off my shoulders, so I am totally focused on qualifying and winning rounds on Sunday.”
For Hart, this weekend’s run represents more than just a final race — it’s the end of a hard-fought experiment in independence. Few modern Top Fuel owners bankroll and operate their own programs. Fewer still walk away on their own terms. That, he says, is something he’ll always be proud of.
The season-ending Pomona race presents a unique test. A short field ensures every car will make Sunday’s eliminations, turning qualifying into a strategy battle where performance consistency could dictate ladder advantage. Hart hopes to capitalize on his reaction-time strength and finish his independent run on a high note.
“I have been focusing on my reaction times and this race there is no reason to leave anything on the table,” Hart said. “I have hopefully eight more passes down the track in 2025, and I want to make the most out of every one of them.”
If his final days as a team owner resemble a lame-duck stretch, Hart isn’t letting on. He talks more about closure than endings — about promises kept and the calm before a new storm. The next time he pulls into Pomona, it will be as a driver for John Force Racing, free of payrolls and parts lists, chasing wins instead of invoices.
🔥 48-HOUR SALE! 🔥 Odd-lots, short-lots, closeouts & display shirts — all priced to move! 🏁 Get authentic https://t.co/jcAfIG1TiW gear for as low as $10 👕💥
— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) November 6, 2025
When they’re gone, they’re gone!
👉 https://t.co/ZWQRwUgEQb #DragRacing #NHRA #CompetitionPlus #PEAKSquad #Sale… pic.twitter.com/UOWDUKCRSP
