First was the announcement that he would drive Jim Head Racing’s Funny Car in 2025. Talking about driving a Funny Car and doing it are two different things.
Over the weekend, Pro Modified standout Spencer Hyde proved he can indeed drive one of the most challenging rides in nitro racing.
Hyde completed his licensing process in a pre-season test session at Gainesville Raceway to secure a cross-over license.
“This Funny Car is unlike anything I’ve ever driven before,” said Hyde. “I’ve been driving race cars for most of my life, starting with Jr. Dragsters, but when they say a Funny Car is a different animal, there is no exaggeration there. It got my attention quickly, and I am already in love with it.”
Getting his credentials to drive a Funny Car is just another chapter in the storied career of the 33-year-old drag racer, who started racing as a Junior Dragster competitor and graduated up the ladder into Outlaw Pro Modified.
Winning the 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Modified was a crowning achievement in his expanding career; with the move into Funny Cars, he’s hoping to add to his growing resume.
“Since we announced this deal in December, I’ve been to Jim’s shop in Ohio to get to know the guys, get acquainted with the car, but I hadn’t even warmed it up until this week,” Hyde explained.
“We made three days’ worth of attempts and had everything thrown at us in this first outing, from tire smoke, tire shake, fuel issues, dropping holes, and more, but what a learning experience it has been.
“The guys worked their butts off to get this thing figured out, and by the last run on day two, we were able to make a pretty decent rip and it was uphill from there.”
“To say I’m proud and excited to be an officially licensed Funny Car driver is the understatement of a lifetime. This car is unlike anything you can imagine, and I am looking forward to being the lucky one in the seat for the 2025 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series. The icing on the cake was having Steve and Billy Torrence be the drivers to sign off on my license.”
Before he embarks on his debut at the NHRA Gatornationals, he still has some unfinished business in Pro Modified. Hyde is racing his Pro Mod car, “Jack and The Green Stock,” at the 2025 World Series of Pro Mod this weekend and seeking to become the first two-time winner.
“I’ll never be done with Pro Mod, but it will be taking a back seat to the Funny Car for the rest of the season after the World Series of Pro Mod this weekend,” Hyde said. “My crew is a volunteer group of family and friends who feel the same way I do, so this last race means more than I can ever put into words. We will be giving it all we have to head to Gainesville from Bradenton on a victory lap as the first team to ever win the event twice before it’s all Funny Car.”
