To figure out what works, you sometimes first have to go through what doesn’t. For Top Fuel driver and team owner, Josh Hart and his R+L Carriers team, they are still working on that process of elimination as they begin to wrap up the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series race season at the 38th annual NHRA Texas Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex.
“This was a great event and I just wish we could have performed a little better,” said Hart. “The crowds were amazing and we just got behind and couldn’t catch up. The Stampede of Speed is always one of the most fun events of the season. These conditions were perfect for our Brakes for Breasts Top Fuel dragster and we just have to do a little better job capitalizing on them. I know everyone is working their tails off and we need to keep a positive attitude. There are two races left and I want to go rounds to close out the Countdown.”
Hart went into qualifying energized, making two incredibly solid qualifying passes on Friday and Saturday. His best run of the weekend came in the third round of qualifying, when he made a 3.738 second, 326.87 mph pass.
“I am living my dream out here, but this sport gives you highs and lows,” said Hart. “We are not going to let these stumbles distract us from our ultimate goal of racing against and beating the best teams out here. The competition is tough but know we can battle with the best of the best.”
The weekend came to an early end when Hart fell to Doug Kalitta, who is currently No. 2 in points, in the first round on Sunday. But fortunately it was still a memorable event for the Florida-based entrepreneur, who chose to race in pink for the third year in a row, raising money and support for the Brakes for Breasts organization.
“I want to thank all the fans that came by the pits and thanked us for the Brakes for Breasts race car,” said Hart. “We are making an impact with raising money to breast cancer research. That is a big deal that is hopefully changing people’s lives. We will be in the Brakes for Breasts car in Las Vegas and hopefully we can get her into the Winner’s Circle.”
Hart will finish out the 2023 Camping World Drag Racing Series season by competing in the last two races of the Countdown at the NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas and the NHRA Finals in Pomona, CA. You can purchase a special-edition Brakes for Breasts t-shirt here.
This story was originally published on October 16, 2023. 
