Dallas-based businessman and nitro Funny Car driver Buddy Hull took the Texas Motorplex’s Stampede of Speed and the Texas NHRA FallNationals by storm this weekend in Ennis, Tex. Repping his season-long sponsor True Brand Products on the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car, he took full advantage of the 10-day-long event’s activities.
“It was so great to have True Brand Products out here this weekend,” said Hull. “They’re a female-owned and family-operated company, which I highly respect. Plus, they were also highlighting the National Breast Cancer Foundation since it’s October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We love to sport the color pink during this time of year, and our blue and pink car this weekend looked amazing.”
Hull made all four qualifying runs on Friday and Saturday, including the Q2 night run on Friday, featuring the Motorplex’s ‘Battle for the Saddle’ event. Despite the Texas heat, his best run came during Q4 on Saturday, with a 4.113 second, 304.32 mph pass. Unfortunately, in a crowded and highly competitive 19-car field, it was not enough to make it to race day on Sunday.
“This sport has never been more competitive than it is right now,” said Hull. “We missed the field by 14 thousandths of a second. But it’s all the motivation we need to take the next couple of weeks before Vegas to look at the data from this weekend and improve our race car so we can improve during the fifth race in the Countdown.”
Leading up to race weekend, Hull participated in the Texas Motorplex’s Media Day on Monday, Oct. 11, representing the track as a local driver, True Brand and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. He then attended the Champions Dinner, where former Fall Nationals winner Leah Pruett gave Hull and his wife Madi a huge shoutout during her interview for their shared pregnancy experience this season. Hull and his family also enjoyed the Stars of Texas Music Festival and Night Lights Lantern Festival, all while mingling with fans prior to the Fall Nationals.
“The Texas Motorplex puts on such a standout event every year with the Stampede of Speed,” said Hull. “I’m honored to play a part in it and show new sponsors like RBT Distribution what an incredible sport and fanbase we have. This weekend always gets me so excited for the rest of the season, and we’re ready to roll right into Vegas.”
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will be back on the track for the second-to-last race in the Countdown at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals on October 31-November 3 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, November 1 and two qualifying sessions on Saturday, November 2. For tickets or more information on the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals visit nhra.com.
This story was originally published on October 14, 2024. 
