JCM Racing, the Maynard family’s team, will undergo a new transformation for the upcoming NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season in 2024. The team will transition into a two-car Top Fuel team, with Tony Schumacher, an eight-time world champion, leading the charge as the driver for JCM’s flagship entry. Joining him will be Ida Zetterström, the 2023 European FIA Top Fuel champion, who recently announced her move to the United States to pursue her dreams of competing for an NHRA world championship as a member of the JCM Racing organization.

With crew chiefs Mike Neff and Jon Schaffer at the helm, Schumacher will aim for his ninth series title and a first for JCM Racing when the season kicks off at the NHRA Gatornationals in Florida on March 8-10. 

Zetterström, in the process of relocating from the Åland Islands of Finland to the Indianapolis area to be closer to the JCM racing shop, is expected to make her NHRA debut later in the Spring. She will strive for the title of NHRA’s 2024 Rookie of the Year. The ultimate goal is for Zetterström, holder of the FIA Top Fuel E.T. and speed records, to compete on a full schedule in 2025 as Schumacher’s teammate. 

Schumacher and Zetterström will represent Okuma and Leatherwood Distillery, with additional partners to be announced later. Apparently, SCAG is no longer part of the sponsorship equation with JCM though the team has not said so publicly.

There is no mention of the other teams such as the ones including Justin Ashley and Tim Wilkerson. 

Maynard, the owner of JCM Racing, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, highlighting the team’s success with seven national event wins within a year, including his debut victory as an NHRA team owner at the 2022 NHRA Northwest Nationals. 

“We’re excited for the 2024 season,” said Maynard. “We’re going into this next year with a streamlined approach, and it feels like we’re returning to our roots. When my wife Cathi and I first started this, we began as associate partners of Leah Pruett’s car because Cathi was impressed with how Leah represented women in what is otherwise considered a predominantly male industry. 

“At the time, Tony Schumacher wasn’t racing, and in addition to supporting Leah, Cathi was adamant about bringing Tony back. Everyone that knew Cathi knew that Tony was ‘her driver.’ When working through our organizational restructure this off-season, it was important to me that Tony continue to race as a member of JCM in Cathi’s honor, and now, with the recent passing of Don Schumacher, we want to be sure we carry on his legacy as well. Between Tony competing for a championship and Ida racing for the Rookie of the Year award, I know we’ll make them proud.”

Adding to the excitement, Maynard’s son, Joe C. Maynard, will make his debut in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks, competing full-time and aiming for a championship. Maynard’s grandson, Shelby Maynard, will also enter competition for the first time in 2024, starting his career in the Jr. Dragster category.

“It’s truly exciting that we’ll have two generations of Maynards on the race track next year,” added Maynard. “We’ve always been clear about our intentions to grow the sport, and part of that is supporting the up-and-coming drivers, whether it’s through our JCM Racing driver development program, campaigning cars in the non-professional ranks, or introducing a new driver to the series, like Ida. I feel like we’re checking all of the boxes next year and returning to the things that are most important to us. With Joe C. and Shelby representing us in the Sportsman ranks and Tony and Ida in Top Fuel, I couldn’t think of a better line-up for our JCM Racing organization heading into 2024.”

Before the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Series season officially begins at Gainesville Raceway in Florida, Schumacher will take part in the SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida from February 8-10.