Jim Dunn Racing announced Tuesday that Todd Lesenko will drive the team’s Funny Car during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. The move reunites the Canadian driver with the longtime Funny Car organization as it enters NHRA’s 75th anniversary year.
Lesenko last competed with Jim Dunn Racing in 2012, making the upcoming season a return to familiar ground for both parties. He will take over driving duties when the season opens in March at Gainesville Raceway.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Lesenko brings prior NHRA Funny Car experience to the seat. His 2012 campaign included a full schedule of 23 national events, and he was the only rookie to qualify at every race that season.
Lesenko made his professional NHRA debut in 2011, competing in the final three events of the year. From 2009 through 2011, he owned and drove the Jolly Rogers Nitro Funny Car and a Top Fuel dragster, gaining experience across multiple nitro categories.
In 2010, Lesenko finished fifth in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Nitro Funny Car standings. That season helped establish his credentials within the sport’s nostalgia and professional ranks.
“I am blessed to have the opportunity to spend a year of racing with my friends and race family,” Lesenko said. “I look forward to great results and to have a full year of vigorous competition. I’m honored to get to represent so many great partners on the track. We’re ready to get to Gainesville for the first event of the season.”
Lesenko will work under the direction of crew chiefs Jim Dunn and Jon Dunn. Jim Dunn Racing enters 2026 with a milestone of its own, marking 76 years of participation in drag racing.
Jim Dunn began racing at age 15 and continues to compete at 91. In 2024, he received the NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to the sport.
Throughout his career, Dunn has won major national events and provided opportunities to numerous drivers across multiple eras. His son, Jon Dunn, serves as business manager for the Funny Car operation and assists with crew chief duties.
“We’re looking forward to Todd reuniting with Jim Dunn Racing,” Jon Dunn said. “We shared some great moments together in 2012. There are so many amazing partners that Jim Dunn Racing has had for many years, so we’re excited to achieve more success together.”
Jim Dunn Racing will also receive team and technical support from AB Motorsports during the 2026 season. The partnership places the Funny Car operation alongside Antron Brown’s Top Fuel team at events throughout the year.
Primary sponsors for the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car include Lescure Mechanical, True Brand, Blaze Technical Services, KGC Construction, MOON Equipment, USD Parts and Crow Safety Gear. Associate partners include Lincoln Electric, Compass Facility Services, Wiley X, Gates, XRP, McLeod, CP-Carrillo, Racing Electronics, Darton Sleeves, Manton, ARP, Control Cables, Twin Palms Storage, Koppl Pipeline Services, Hussey Performance and Frosted Frog.
The 2026 NHRA season opens March 5–8 at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. Lesenko is scheduled to participate in preseason testing in February, where he will complete his re-licensing in the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car.
“We shared some great moments together in 2012,” Jon Dunn said. “We’re excited to see what we can accomplish again.”
