Buddy Hull, on “The Racing Business Podcast,” shared not only his own personal journey in the world of drag racing with a passion that’s both raw and genuine but also his path to entrepreneurship.
Hull reflected on his first race car, a double-B Fuel Altered with a blown big block Chevy, which he admits was the only car he could fit into since he had previously been a competitive powerlifter.
“It’s really not much of a race car, but it means everything to me,” Hull reminisced, echoing a racer’s intrinsic connection to their first car.
Despite initial doubts cast by his lack of experience and size, Hull’s foray into drag racing quickly silenced naysayers as his natural talent for driving was unveiled and his racing knowledge that spans 16 years. His journey was not a solo race; Hull emphasized the crucial support of friends, family, and racing community members, embodying the collective effort in his success.
Hull shared his determination to drive a nitro car. “If you tell me that I can’t do something, I’m going to prove you wrong,” stated Hull.
His strategic approach as a team owner reflected a vision beyond mere competition; it was about crafting opportunities and fostering growth. His emphasis on marketing and partnership resonates with his belief in authenticity and community contribution. This perspective shaped his future vision for Vertex, Hull’s roofing and general contracting business.
His personal story, from a stable corporate Fortune 500 job to the risks of entrepreneurship, is a testament to his philosophy. “I left a great job… to build something that I can say I built,” Hull explained, illustrating his drive to create rather than maintain, to be a builder in both the literal and metaphorical sense. The leap into the construction business was not just a career change but a life choice, filled with initial sacrifices that underscored his dedication and focus on long-term success.
Hull also stressed the importance of self-awareness, which he considers critical to his achievements. “I definitely know what I’m good at, and I definitely know what I’m bad at,” he said, highlighting the importance of playing to one’s strengths and surrounding oneself with honest people who complement your skills and provide candid feedback.
Now a Top Fuel driver, team owner, and entrepreneur, Hull’s philosophy weaves through various facets of his life, from the racetrack to the roofing and contracting business of Vertex. Hull recognized the imperfections of business ventures, saying, “We’re all human beings… but as long as your successes are greater than your failures, you’re always going to be okay.”
Hull’s philosophy extends to leadership and business ethics. He argues that success is nearly assured when you lead with compassion, work ethically, and offer a superior product within the right environment. Reflecting on the bustling construction scene in Dallas as seen from his office window, Hull observed, “As long as you’re on a good honest business and hire the right people work hard and lead with your heart, you’re always going to be fine.” This ethos is at the core of his company, symbolized by a rising phoenix in its logo, underscoring a commitment to providing opportunities and preventing failure for those who share the company’s drive to succeed.
A central Illinois native with a blue-collar heritage, Hull’s life is a blend of cars, strength, and arduous work ethic. Acknowledging the people who’ve supported his journey, he sincerely noted, “If you’ve helped me, just know that I’m thankful for you.”
Recently, Hull showed his commitment to philanthropic causes, like the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas. The honorary Texan leveraged his platform for the greater good “to promote a really positive cause.”
With a focus on continuous improvement and strategic planning, Hull and his team have decided to skip races to build a new race car and enhance their racing program for 2024. This reflects his philosophy, “Our goal every time we go out is to find a way to improve, find things that we did wrong, and never make those mistakes twice.”
This story was originally published on November 6, 2023. 
