A year ago, Joe and Cathi Maynard invested significantly in major league drag racing. Shortly following the 2022 NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the power couple announced they were purchasing a majority interest in Don Schumacher Racing and assuming control of the Tony Schumacher-driven Top Fuel dragster. One race later, along with partners Eric and Kim Lehman, Schumacher clinched his first win for the team in Seattle, Wash. 

If a great journey starts with one first step, the JCM Racing organization has evolved into a full-on sprint with the expansion into a three-car operation including Tim Wilkerson and Justin Ashley. They've also expanded into a driver development program overseen by Maynard's son, Joe C. Maynard, and the move to the front and center is in full-speed-ahead mode.

There have been highs, lows, and a measure of excitement along the way. That's how Joe Maynard has described it. 

 
"Winning that first race with Tony last year at Seattle, partnering with Tim Wilkerson and him winning a race at his sixth event since we announced the Maynard Wilkerson Racing partnership and again this past weekend, and then partnering with Justin and him winning two of the first three races, those are the highs," Maynard explained. "Obviously, Cathi's passing was the low, but I will say, the way that the whole NHRA community came together to show their support is a great example of how it's one big family out here. And the excitement? It's just being out here. We love it; my family loves it; it's something we can all enjoy together."

It's not as if Maynard jumped into major league drag racing with both feet, however. He started as a fan, then became an associate sponsor with Leah Pruett, followed by major sponsorship of Tony Schumacher, and then took on the role of team owner. This progression made all the difference in the world into the role he enjoys today. 
 
"It's helped a great deal simply because as a sponsor, I was being sold to, and now as an owner, I'm having to transition from being sold to now doing the selling, which enables me to understand what the challenges are on both sides," Maynard said. "Having a sponsor like SCAG Power Equipment and Randy Gloede (SCAG President and CEO) has been tremendous because he's taught me a lot on the business side of it from their perspective."

Maynard, who is a performance-driven individual, kept his expectations in check but has reveled in the rapid progression of success.

 
"No one comes out here and anticipates that they're going to win every single race," Maynard said. "You have to be realistic. We basically started with a new car and two new Top Fuel crew chiefs on Tony's team this year, but yes, I'd say it's gone as we'd hoped it would go. Five Wally (trophies) so far in our first year with our combined teams; we're happy about that."

Success has been plentiful, but so have the learning opportunities. 
 
"There are some things that have been eye-opening, particularly with how much the costs are as it relates to parts and pieces and how quickly they can add up," Maynard said. "But not a whole lot really surprises me because, at the end of the day, I'm a businessman that also happens to be a big drag racing fan, so I anticipated a lot of this going into it. Not to mention, I had a great mentor in Don Schumacher. He gave me all of the insight I could've ever asked for, so I felt very comfortable going in."
 
Moving forward, Maynard readily admits he's not finished expanding.

"Honestly, probably another car, preferably a Funny Car," Maynard said. "I'd love to have a rounded, balanced team with two Top Fuel dragsters and two Funny Cars, and if we can find the right partners, I'd also love to expand into other classes. Ideally, I'd have something in every pro category, so Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, those are next on my list, but I'm not against an alcohol team either because that's a natural feeder to the premier level."

And the premier level, that's where Maynard lives at, a year later.