After making headlines this season with their record-shattering nitro-injected Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), Bartone Bros. Racing is returning to familiar territory—and a proven winner—as they roll out the supercharged “Pirate Ship” Funny Car for its second appearance of the season at Summit Motorsports Park.
The team made history earlier this year at the Baby Gators, debuting Tony Bartone’s new nitro injected TAFC and immediately resetting the national record with a 5.330-second run at 281.42 MPH—the first time a TAFC entry has ever exceeded 280 MPH. They followed up with another record-setting 5.317 at the Gatornationals. That same weekend, held at zMAX Dragway, the team also made history as the first-ever Injected Nitro TAFC to win an NHRA national event—and then backed it up with another win in the Gatornationals final.
Despite their success, NHRA’s recent rule change reducing the allowable nitromethane percentage from 97% to 91% has forced the team to park the groundbreaking car, citing concerns over performance parity. The move comes after the team’s nitro car won four of the first five races in 2025.
“The injected car has basically been handcuffed to a middle-of-the-pack car,” said Sean Bellemeur. “We’ve been through a lot. A lot of negative energy thrown our way by a lot of people. To say we’re motivated and excited is an understatement.”
Last weekend at a regional event at Summit Motorsports Park, Bellemeur was runner-up to Phil Esz in TAFC, just missing the win on a holeshot. He was the top speed runner and went down the track every time.
“I’m like a kid in a candy store right now,” Bellemeur said. “As fun as the injected nitro project was, I am getting back in my hot rod. I’ve always been a blown alcohol guy, they’re more challenging to drive. They’re more technical, and they’re definitely more unpredictable. We have a point to prove to everyone out there. So I know the team is excited to get our championship car from last year back on track!
“As the old saying goes, it’s like riding a bike. I’ve driven this style of car for over 20 years. My family car is set up the same way as this car, too, and I’ve made laps in it recently, so I’m hoping we’ll get right back to where we were at the end of last year.”
Top Alcohol Funny Car will make their first qualifying run at 11 AM on Friday.
This story was originally published on June 27, 2025. 
