Bartone Bros. Racing driver Sean Bellemeur drove his way into the NHRA history books this weekend at the zMAX Dragway NHRA Nationals, securing his 50th career national event victory. With the milestone win, Bellemeur becomes just the 25th racer in NHRA history – and only the third in the Top Alcohol Funny Car category – to reach the magic number.
Bellemeur, the five-time and reigning Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion, piloted Tony Bartone’s famed “Pirate Ship” to victory with a pass of 5.38 seconds at 269 mph, further cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant drivers in the professional ranks. Entering the 2026 season with 48 wins, Bellemeur’s pursuit of 50 was one of the central themes of the team’s “#DriveFor6in26” championship campaign.
“This team!” Bellemeur said. “That is what the hardest working team in drag racing, let alone Top Alcohol Funny Car, will get you. Here, at the shop and beyond, everyone involved has a piece of this milestone win. They deserve this more than I do. I am just along for the ride. I am a very lucky guy.
“The game plan coming into the weekend was the same: just focus on the next run. We had a little adversity in the first run; the car didn’t want to go down the racetrack. Steve (Boggs) looked at it, and in the semifinal it ran pretty good, but I drove like an idiot – my words, not his. Man, we lit up that scoreboard in the final with a run of 5.38!”
With this victory, Bellemeur joins a pantheon of drag racing legends. According to NHRA records, he is the 25th driver overall to reach 50 wins and the first in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class since Bob Newberry.
Bellemeur was also recognized as one of NHRA’s top 75 drivers in history. He joins the late Pat Austin (75 wins) and Hall of Famer Frank Manzo (105 wins) as the only drivers in the Alcohol Funny Car category to reach the 50-win plateau.
The 50th win caps a remarkable run for Tony Bartone’s team. Known as the “Killer B’s,” the team won the Gatornationals and followed up with a Baby Gators regional win to start the season. They are now undefeated in the first three events of the season.
“We have a great crew, a strong crew chief and a fast driver. I knew we would do it; I just didn’t know when,” said team owner Tony Bartone. “The team worked hard on the car all weekend, and it resulted in a fast run. Getting Sean his 50th win is just an added bonus in a very young season. I am proud of this team and the effort they bring every weekend.”
“We have a great crew of guys and girls on this ‘Killer B’ team,” Bellemeur continued. “It starts with Tony Bartone. He is a competitor and a winner. His drive and support, and just knowing what it takes to win, powers this whole organization. Hall of Famer Steve Boggs, and team members Troy Green, Nick Stoms, Justin Taylor, Garret Bateman, Brian Gawlik, Lauren McMaster and Matt Krebs all work so hard that driving this ‘Pirate Ship’ is just an honor.”
The team extended a heartfelt thank you to its sponsors: Red Line Synthetic Oil, Roger Dean Chevrolet, Talon Air LLC, NGK Spark Plugs and McLeod, along with product supporters Simpson Performance Products and Taylor Motorsports Products.
This story was originally published on April 27, 2026. 
