Veteran driver Joe Morrison knows that seat time is the most important factor to improving your driving skills and making an impact with marketing partners. This weekend at the 40th NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish Morrison will be back in the seat of Paul Smith’s Nitro Funny Car as well as the Tom Pickett Racing Top Alcohol Dragster. The double entry will keep the driver from Flemington busy, especially when his responsibilities with Right2Breathe will also be in play for the NHRA fans all weekend.
“I never like to let the grass grow under my feet, so this is really a perfect weekend for me racing two classes and supporting Right2Breathe,” said Morrison. “We raced in Norwalk in Paul’s Funny Car earlier this season and we have had additional Right2Breathe displays at Charlotte and Indianapolis. I have been driving Tom Pickett’s TAD this season as well, so it is all coming together this weekend in Reading. This is my favorite track, and I have so much history here.”
On the track Morrison will be powered by marketing support from long-time sponsor PennGrade1 and new sponsor Lyons & Associates law firm. Off the track Morrison will be spending time with fans in the Nitro Club and on the NHRA Stage throughout the NHRA Reading Nationals as well. The full schedule makes Morrison appreciate the fantastic opportunity that NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series provides to drivers and aspiring team owners like himself.
“My goal is to be out here full-time with a Nitro Funny Car promoting Right2Breathe and all the companies that have been supporting that program for years,” said Morrison. “We have brought major pharmaceutical companies to races across the country and we have partnered with Kroger Health. The experiences and education we are providing at the track are changing and saving people’s lives.”
Since 2016, the Right2Breathe Project has provided free lung screenings to thousands of dedicated NHRA drag racing fans at motorsports venues nationwide. Their team of medical professionals—including Respiratory Therapists, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and Pulmonologists—offer screenings, answer questions and provide valuable resources for racers, fans and event partners.
Supporting Right2Breathe in the midway at the Reading Nationals will be Allergy & Asthma Network, Temple Lung Center and Sanofi Pharmaceutical. NDD Medical will also have a strong presence as the maker of the Spirometers also known as the “Lung Dyno.” Each of the partners will have staff in the booth to answer questions and provide guidance to resources for people living with breathing challenges.
The Right2Breathe® Project is a dynamic, grassroots initiative focused on Lung Health Education, Awareness and Screening. This campaign is hosted at various public venues, including automotive and sporting events across the United States.
“Next year we will be celebrating 10 years of Right2Breathe at NHRA national events,” said Morrison. “I can’t count the number of people we have helped. Getting to drive the Nitro Funny Car is a blast but talking with people in the pits really gets my motor running.”
Morrison’s skill behind the wheel continues to improve as he gets more passes behind the wheel of Paul Smith Racing’s 12,000-horsepower Nitro Funny Car. Morrison has driven Top Fuel, Fuel Altered, TAD and now Funny Car in his quest to chase his need for speed. Morrison knows that more runs down the track in the Funny Car and Top Alcohol Dragster at Maple Grove Raceway will accelerate his learning curve.
“There is no substitute for seat time, and I appreciate being able to race for a legend like Paul Smith,” said Morrison. “The Pickett Racing Top Alcohol Dragster is also a great race car. I love both classes and they bring out different driving skills. I am looking forward to turning on win lights after a couple successful days of qualifying.”
Morrison will get four rounds of qualifying in the Nitro Funny Car class on Friday and Saturday looking to grab one of the quick 16 spots to race on Sunday. In the Top Alcohol Dragster class, he will get two qualifying runs on Friday and then on more qualifier on Saturday before moving right into eliminations on Saturday afternoon and evening. The race will be broadcast on FS1 and fans can still buy tickets at www.maplegroveraceway.com.
This story was originally published on September 9, 2025. 
