With only three races left in the NHRA regular season, Buddy Hull and Jim Dunn Racing are heading into this weekend’s Denso Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge with urgency and optimism. The storied California-based team is preparing for one of the most competitive Funny Car fields of the year as the Countdown to the Championship inches closer.
Set for July 25-27 at scenic Sonoma Raceway, the 12th stop on the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature 18 Funny Cars battling for just 16 qualifying spots. Hull, now in his second season at the controls of the Jim Dunn Racing nitro Funny Car, is aiming to make his third career start at Sonoma – and his second in the Funny Car category.
“Sonoma is just one of those tracks that makes the hair on your arms stand up,” said Hull. “It’s got character. It’s fast. It’s scenic. And the fans here? They’re as hardcore as it gets.”
For the second time this season, Hull will pilot the team’s Lescure Mechanical Services-backed Chevrolet Camaro, featuring Alo Drinks on the rear wing. The car’s striking blue and orange livery will return to its home turf, as Jim Dunn Racing considers Sonoma a second hometown stop during their milestone 75th anniversary season.
“We’ve got a legacy to honor,” said Hull. “Jim Dunn Racing has been part of this sport for 75 years. Racing here in California, where this team is based, where the roots run deep – it’s not just another weekend for us. It’s a chance to race in front of our people and show the heart of this operation.”
The team has steadily built momentum in 2025, improving qualifying consistency and showing flashes of competitiveness on race day. With high temperatures and quick conditions expected, Sonoma represents a major opportunity.
“We know what’s at stake,” Hull said. “This field is stacked. Every car can lay down a number. But we’ve got the brains in the pit, a consistent car, and Lescure and Alo riding with us – so let’s go throw down.”
The Lescure partnership reflects the team’s emphasis on work ethic and performance. Known for their innovative mechanical solutions, Lescure aligns perfectly with the team’s grind-it-out spirit.
“They’re a company that gets what it means to deliver under pressure,” said Hull. “Their support fires us up to perform.”
Also returning this weekend is Alo Drinks, an aloe-based lifestyle brand that continues to embrace drag racing’s intensity with a wellness-driven approach.
“When you think about what we go through – g-forces, heat, stress – it’s great to have a brand like Alo in our corner,” Hull added. “They bring something different, and we’re proud to represent them.”
Hull will also carry support from Blaze Exhaust Probes, KGC Construction, Mooneyes, Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Crow Safety, Koppl Pipeline Services, True Brand, USD, Wiley X, and Compass Facility Services.
Beyond the racing surface, Hull is also filming Season 2 of his Telly Award-winning show Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull, and will join Hannah Rickards to lead NHRA’s New Fan Orientation on Saturday at 10:15 a.m. on the NHRA Stage.
“I thrive in high-pressure situations,” Hull said. “You tell me there are only three races left before the Countdown? That’s fuel to the fire. We’re coming into Sonoma aggressive, focused, and ready to scrap for every inch.”
Qualifying for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals begins Friday, July 25, with two sessions, followed by two more on Saturday, July 26. The top 16 Funny Cars will advance to eliminations on Sunday, July 27, beginning at 10:30 a.m. PT. Fans can catch the action live on FS1. For tickets and event information, visit NHRA.com.
This story was originally published on July 22, 2025. 
