NHRA Funny Car driver and Dallas businessman Buddy Hull is used to bringing the heat to drag racing fans across the country, racing on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Tonight Hull will bring a different kind of heat as he throws out the first pitch prior to the Texas Rangers versus Pittsburgh Pirates major league baseball game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. This will be Hull’s first experience throwing a first pitch, but the accomplished professional drag racer and former professional weightlifter is excited about the opportunity.
“I’ve never thrown a first pitch, but I did grow up watching baseball,” said Hull. “My grandmother was a huge major league baseball fan, and she spent her summers sitting in the rocking chair listening to games. I’m super excited to be able to introduce Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates fans to the NHRA. I am just going to try and get it over the plate and into the catcher’s mitt.”
Hull has been racing professionally since 2021, but the third generation drag racer has been representing NHRA and his sponsors across the country as a brand ambassador all season. Hull has been behind the wheel of fuel altered, Top Ful Dragsters and now nitro Funny Cars. He has lit up scoreboards with multiple 320 mph, sub-four second passes. With his larger-than-life personality Hull is a fan favorite on and off the track.
“It’s an honor to be a brand ambassador for NHRA drag racing and Jim Dunn Racing,” said Hull. “I have high expectations of myself to be able to connect to people, connect with fans, connect with sponsors, and really anybody involved to try to influence them to come to the race. I believe that drag racing is one of the most American sports right along with baseball.”
Hull will be in action locally, racing the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car, during the Stampede of Speed and NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, October 11-13 at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. Hull has competed at the NHRA Fall Nationals previously in Top Fuel and this will be his first time flying down the all-concrete track in a 12,000-horsepower Funny Car.
“The Meyer family that owns the track is incredible. They treat all the racers like a million bucks,” said Hull. “Billy Meyer was a nitro Funny Car driver, and he had a legendary career. He did a lot of things for the first time, and one of those would be building the Texas Motorplex, which truly was the first super racetrack for drag racing. I’m excited to represent the Texas Motorplex, the Texas Fall Nationals and all our local fans in Dallas and Fort Worth.”
The Rangers game is set to start at 7:05 p.m. on August 20. The Stampede of Speed is slated for October 4-13 at the Texas Motorplex. For Rangers tickets visit www.texasrangers.com and for information on the Stampede of Speed or NHRA Texas Fall Nationals visit www.stampedeofspeed.com.
This story was originally published on August 20, 2024. 
