Over the past four NHRA national events, dating back to the Winternationals in late March, Josh Hart is one of only two Top Fuel competitors to advance out of the first round at every race. That four-race streak will be put to the test this weekend when the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads to the northeast for the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway. The R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will be making their fourth attempt to race to the winner’s circle at one of the most historic tracks on the circuit. Hart has enjoyed success in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks, racing to three consecutive final rounds in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series winning at the track located just north of Boston in 2017 and 2019
“New England Dragway has been around for a long time, and we have had some success there with my Top Alcohol Dragster. I have only raced there three times with my Top Fuel operation, and we are looking to get back into the winner’s circle,” said Hart, a multi-time Top Fuel national event winner. “It is a smaller venue, but the fans up there are super passionate about their drag racing. We have been making some good runs, and the temperatures should be cooler. We have found a solid cooler track temperature tune-up, so hopefully we will be able to put it to good use.”
One new addition for this weekend’s race is the introduction of the “No. 1 Clawifier Award presented by NAPA.” A special chair made of lobster pots will await drivers at the top end, with the evening’s No. 1 qualifier sitting in the chair until they are replaced by a new No. 1 qualifier or claim the No. 1 Clawifier Award presented by NAPA. The driver will receive a large lobster, while the teams will be given lobster dinners to celebrate a thrilling performance under the lights on Friday night.
To cap it off, a special New England Nationals lobster pot buoy trophy will await event winners on Sunday, along with the iconic Wally trophy.
“Lots of tracks are stepping up their game on special trophies or awards, which makes me even more eager to get this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster into the winner’s circle,” said Hart. “As a team we want to come out with quick runs on Friday because that sets you up for a strong weekend. It there are extra prizes on the line that just makes it a cooler experience for everyone from the crew guys to the fans.”
In the three previous R+L Carriers appearances at the NHRA New England Nationals Hart has experienced a wide array of on-track results. In his first appearance in 2022 as the No. 5 qualifier racing Shawn Langdon, Hart’s 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster suffered a major engine event right off the starting line. In 2023, the event was a complete washout, and Hart was a part of a contingent of drivers who lobbied the NHRA to move the event to Bristol Dragway the following weekend rather than wait out a problematic rain forecast. As the No. 4 qualifier, he was then upset in the first round by Brittany Force. Last year he raced to the quarterfinals from the No. 11 spot outrunning Justin Ashley in the first round before falling to 8-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher in the quarterfinals.
“We really haven’t had a normal race in Epping yet,” said Hart. “I know my R+L Carriers guys are ready to get back on track after a week off. We have some good momentum going and we just want to build on that. We will have four qualifying sessions hopefully if the weather cooperates but regardless, we are going to give it our all.”
Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will be on track for two qualifying runs on Friday, May 30, at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and the final two qualifying runs will be contested Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations will commence on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. with the race being broadcast nationally on 6:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
This story was originally published on May 28, 2025. 
