Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will run the final six races of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing season looking to close out the year on a high note. Hart is pursuing his first NHRA Top Fuel championship and will begin that hunt from the No. 11 spot just 117 points behind Top Fuel point leader and defending world champion Doug Kalitta. Thirteen Top Fuel drivers make up the baker’s dozen of competitors and Hart understands he is the beneficiary of being a consistent but not excellent performer.
“I am not a fan of participation trophies but this R+L Carriers team is going to do everything we can to finish the season on a winning note,” said Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner. “If our success over the next six races leads to a Top Fuel world championship we’ll take it. This class has the best of the best and I truly believe anyone in the playoffs has a shot at the championship. These last six races will be incredibly competitive.”
Over his career Hart has had success at most of the final venues that host Countdown national events. In his rookie season Hart won the Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, he has raced to the finals and semifinals in two of his three appearances at World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis and at the final two racetracks The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and In-N-Out Burger Drag Strip at Pomona Hart has scored upset round wins and reached the semifinals twice in the past two seasons.
“These final six tracks are places we have had success and we just need to build on that success this year,” said Hart. “I want to win and I feel like I have team capable of winning. We just need to put three days of quality racing together and I know we can get back to the winner’s circle. Our first chance will come at Maple Grove Raceway and I want to get off to a good start.”
The R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will take to the track for two qualifying runs on Friday, September 13 during the Countdown opening Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. Over the next two days Hart will fine-tuning his almost category leading reaction times to position his team for success. Fans interested in purchasing tickets to the Maple Grove Raceway event or the next five Countdown races can visit www.nhra.com for more information.
This story was originally published on September 5, 2024. 
