The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series has recently experienced an infusion of new faces into its Top Fuel and Funny Car ranks, both with exciting young talent and racing veterans that have jumped into the deep end of the drag racing pool.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #190, the State of Drag Issue, in September/ October of 2024.]
Top Fuel has especially seen a spike in bright young stars, such as Jasmine Salinas, Ida Zetterström, Krista Baldwin, Cody Krohn, and Travis Shumake. Even Justin Ashley, who feels like a veteran at this point, won’t turn 30 until December.
“I’m super excited for this new wave of nitro drivers entering the mix,” says Zetterström, the 2023 FIA European Top Fuel champion. “I think this year is probably the largest ‘Rookie of the Year’ class we have ever seen, and it says a lot about what is happening right now. The competition is fiercer than ever and the rookies coming in are performing at a high level, which is exciting for both fans and fellow competitors. I think this wave will continue and more new names will pop up on the entry lists within the next year and beyond.”
Add to that the star power of three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, who took over driving duties this season for wife Leah Pruett as they start a family. While no stranger to the racing world, Stewart is still a rookie when it comes to Top Fuel competition.
Funny Car, meanwhile, has seen multiple drivers shift into new roles, as Austin Prock and Buddy Hull switched over from Top Fuel, and Daniel Wilkerson took over full-time driving duties for his father, Tim.
Prock hasn’t skipped a beat filling in for veteran Robert Hight. After winning the $250,000 PRO Superstar Shootout in his Funny Car debut, the 29-year-old Prock has already gathered four NHRA Wallys in 2024 en route to a commanding points lead as of this writing. And with John Force stating publicly earlier this season that Prock would take over for him when he retires, the future of John Force Racing is secure.
While the veterans in the NHRA nitro ranks may not be ready to give up their spots on the totem pole just yet, it’s clear both classes are in good hands with the next generation of drivers.
This story was originally published on October 29, 2024. 
