Paul Lee Racing is proud to announce that veteran tuner Jon Schaffer has been named Crew Chief for the team’s Nitro Funny Car entry in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Schaffer will lead the team alongside longtime consultant John Medlen and Assistant Crew Chief Seth Randall, forming a highly experienced and collaborative performance group for the upcoming season.
Schaffer brings years of top-level nitro Funny Car experience to the team and will play a key role in continuing the momentum built during a standout 2025 campaign. Lee finished the season sixth in the NHRA Funny Car points standings, marking a career-best result, and captured his first career Funny Car victory at the Phoenix NHRA event.
“We’re building on something special from last year,” says Paul Lee, team owner and driver. “The momentum we created in 2025 gives us a strong foundation, and bringing Jon Schaffer on board is a fresh start that raises the bar for our entire program. Jon’s talent, experience, and approach fit perfectly with what John Medlen, Seth Randall, and our team are building. I’m excited about where this can take us.”
Schaffer is equally enthusiastic about the opportunity and the direction of the team.
“This team proved last season that they belong at the top level of Funny Car competition,” said Jon Schaffer. “Paul’s win in Phoenix and the sixth-place points finish show what this group is capable of. I’m excited to work with John Medlen and Seth Randall and help build on that momentum. There’s a lot of potential here, and I’m looking forward to contributing my experience to help this team keep moving forward.”
Longtime Paul Lee Racing crew member Seth Randall steps into the role of Assistant Crew Chief, continuing his progression within the organization and adding continuity to the team’s leadership structure.
“I’m more than ready for the season to get started,” said Seth Randall. “We worked extremely hard in 2025 to build momentum, and it’s exciting to be able to continue that with this group. Being able to work alongside John Medlen and Jon Schaffer is a great opportunity, and I’m proud to step into the assistant crew chief role and help keep pushing this team forward.”
Lee and the team continue to have support from their loyal partners McLeod, FTI Performance, Silver Sport Transmissions, Competition Clutch, Independence Driveline, Mainline Sales, PowerEdge, DENSO, Red Line Oil, Gates, Lincoln Electric, Justice Brothers, SRI, Daido Metal, Advanced Sleeves, Cometic Gaskets, Fischer Honda, IGTG, Seefried Ranch, Boninfante, OptiTorque, Riken Rings, ShurTape, ProThings, Goodyear, and Sam & Kris Maus.
This story was originally published on January 19, 2026. 
