After an encouraging debut on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series last season Funny Car driver Dylan Winefsky is eager to tackle the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals this weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park. The Arizona-based driver made positive strides throughout last season highlighted by a strong qualifying effort in Seattle at the NHRA Northwest Nationals. This year he is backed by several regional sponsors as he looks to build on that strong foundation and continue his drive to on-track success.
“We feel really good heading into the Arizona Nationals,” said Winefsky. “We have a lot of support, and I am ready to get back into this Nitro Moose Funny Car. Last year I learned so much and now I want to build on that. The Nitro Funny Car class has gotten even tougher, but I feel good about our chances.”
Prior to the NHRA Arizona Nationals Winefsky made a promotional appearance for Lowe’s Home Improvement. The young driver talked with customers and even spent some time on the register. Lowe’s will be highlighted on his 12,000 horsepower Funny Car along with Audio Express, Robert’s Car Care, Outlaw Race Engines and Bob Jackson Body Repair. Queen Creek BBQ Company will be feeding Winefsky’s team this weekend. The support from these companies is appreciated by Winefsky, especially the budding Lowe’s Home Improvement relationship.“We are a single car, family-run team so every dollar matters and we really appreciate all the support we get,” said Winefsky. “Getting involved with Lowe’s even on a small scale was huge. When we went to Lowe’s in Maricopa it was cool to talk with the customers and sign a few autographs. I am hoping to grow that relationship as well as everyone else on our race car.”
Over the off-season Winefsky and his father Robert continued to make improvements to his Funny Car in preparation for the 2026 season. Heading into the NHRA Arizona Nationals, the Nitro Moose Funny Car team feels prepared and ready to get the season started. Two weeks ago, Winefsky was part of NHRA legend Johnny West’s Fuel Altered team at the historic March Meet at Famoso Dragstrip. Winefsky drove and worked on the race car which raced to the final round.
“I think a Fuel Altered is about as close to a Funny Car as you can get when you are talking about manhandling a race car,” said Winefsky. “Racing at the March Meet is cool and it is always good to get some seat time. Working around Johnny is the best too because you are always learning whether it is how the car goes together or how to drive it. The weekend at the March Meet definitely got me even more excited to get to Firebird Motorsports Park.”
Winefsky will be part of a stacked Funny Car field that will be racing in brutally hot conditions this weekend. The NHRA adjusted the schedule to accommodate for the temperatures that are predicted to soar over 100 degrees. The Funny Car teams will get two qualifying runs on Friday, March 20, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. followed by two qualifying sessions on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The quickest 16 Funny Cars will begin eliminations on Sunday, March 22 at 10 a.m.
Fans interested in tickets can visit www.nhra.com and for more information on Dylan follow his social media on Facebook and Instagram.
