Terry Haddock isn’t racing for an NHRA Funny Car championship this season, but he can certainly have a say in who wins it. With three races remaining in the Countdown to the Championship, the veteran independent believes his team has progressed far enough to become a legitimate problem for the title contenders.
Haddock heads into this weekend’s Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex with something he hasn’t always had at this stage of the season: a Funny Car capable of running competitive numbers against the sport’s better-funded operations.
The evidence came during the Countdown opener at Michigan’s U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, where Haddock ran a career-best 3.959 seconds at 317.35 mph to eliminate two-time world champion Cruz Pedregon. He followed that performance with a close second-round loss to championship contender J.R. Todd.
For a team accustomed to fighting uphill against operations with considerably deeper pockets, it was the kind of performance Haddock has been working toward for years.
“We are working very hard to be as competitive as possible in the toughest Funny Car class I can remember,” said Haddock. “We want to make quick, fast and clean runs every time we are on the track. Our team is focused on getting good qualifying positions and making great runs on Sunday. We have an awesome crew, but we are still a small team racing against the big boys.”
Therein lies the challenge for Haddock.
He’s not operating with the luxury of a large crew or a full-time crew chief whose only responsibility is making the car run quicker. Haddock owns the operation, drives the car and makes the tuning decisions, all while trying to keep pace with teams built specifically to win championships.
Running a 3.95 doesn’t automatically turn an independent into a championship contender. But when that number comes in eliminations against a driver fighting for the title, it changes the way the other lane has to approach the race.
That’s the position Haddock wants to occupy during the remaining Countdown events. He isn’t interested in simply qualifying for another national event and collecting a first-round appearance.
The Texas Fall Nationals provides an opportunity to build on what happened in Michigan, particularly with championship contenders having less room for mistakes as the season winds down.
Haddock’s operation has benefited from a long relationship with Concho Supply Inc., a trusted wholesaler of automotive parts and industrial supplies with roots in San Angelo, Texas. They offer a wide variety of parts including clutches, brakes, and engine components. Their major brands carried include ACDelco, GM Genuine Parts, Sealed Power and Berryman Products. They provide dependable auto parts delivery alongside specialized battery trucks and hot shot delivery options. Concho Supply Inc. have supported his racing program since 2018. The company’s involvement has helped the team make improvements that are beginning to show on the scoreboard.
“Concho Supply has been with us for almost a decade, and we are proud to represent them on our Funny Car and at events across the country,” Haddock said. “Our program has grown and continued to improve every year. We have made big strides this year, and I know our progress on and off the track is directly related to the support from all our sponsors.”
His supporting partners include Priority Systems Mechanical Services, Gearwrench, P&C Cable, Bowen Electric, Integrated Metal Products, Rodak Coffee and Circle Racing Wheels, a company Haddock owns.
Concho Supply president and CEO Keith Kincannon said the relationship with Haddock extends beyond what the team accomplishes on the racetrack.
“Since 2018, we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Terry Haddock and his team both on and off the track,” Kincannon said. “What has always stood out is the team’s dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to family. Those are values we hold close at Concho Supply, and they’re a big reason why this partnership has meant so much to us over the years. We’re proud to support Terry and grateful to be aligned with a team that represents integrity, perseverance, and respect in everything they do.”
This weekend’s race also carries a hometown element for the New Braunfels, Texas, resident.
Haddock has won the Texas Invitational exhibition event at Texas Motorplex twice, taking the titles in 2023 and 2024. Those championship belts remain on display at his headquarters, although he knows winning an NHRA national event presents a considerably different assignment.
His Concho Supply Funny Car will carry a red, white and blue paint scheme honoring America’s 250th anniversary during the Fall Nationals, which begins qualifying Friday.
“I loved racing the Texas Invitational, and we have the championship belts proudly displayed in New Braunfels, Texas,” Haddock said. “Racing at the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals is the highlight of our season as a Texas-based team. We have a ton of friends and family come to the race, and Concho Supply, Inc., has a major presence with our team.”
Haddock also will participate in Thursday’s Pre-Stage Fanfest at Railyard Park in Waxahachie, where drivers will sign autographs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. He is scheduled for additional fan appearances during the national event.
But the weekend’s most important work will take place between the starting line and the finish line.
“We want to make quick, fast and clean runs every time we are on the track. Our team is focused on getting good qualifying positions and making great runs on Sunday.”
