A mark of a fantastic driver is when they can appreciate a great race, even if they weren’t the competitor who came out on top. For Spencer Hyde, the Canadian driver for Head Racing and the leading NHRA Rookie of the Year candidate, that was the case today at the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Hyde and Bob Tasca III executed an exciting side-by-side drag race, but unfortunately, Tasca III got the best of it.
“That was just a really close drag race,” said Hyde. “I could hear him beside me, but I couldn’t see him until after the finish line. He shot past me and then dropped his parachutes. I saw his win light and knew it had to be a really close race.”
This weekend was Hyde’s first time experiencing the unique two-day format presented at the Virginia Nationals. Three qualifying runs on Saturday allowed teams to encounter similar conditions that they will face on race day. Every race team on the property battled high temperatures that tested their best tune-ups. Hyde’s strongest qualifying pass was made earlier in the day, when the track was at its coolest. His 4.069 second, 306.46 mph run was enough for him to earn the No. 10 qualifying position for Sunday. Hyde’s prize for his qualifying efforts was to be paired up against Bob Tasca III in the first round. Though Hyde had a quicker reaction time off the starting line, Tasca III was able to skirt around him in the end.
“I was ahead of him from the starting line until probably 900 feet when he went around me,” said Hyde. “This was a hot weekend and the last time it was this hot was Phoenix. We made good runs and that run in the first round was almost enough. This was our first time against Tasca in eliminations, and we’ll get him next time.”
When reflecting on the quick two-day race weekend, Hyde sees several positives. Richmond will be the first of several hot summer races, and the Head Racing team was able to collect a lot of helpful data that they will put to good use.
“The fans have been great this weekend,” said Hyde. “I don’t think the two-day race hurt us losing a qualifying session. We have a ton of data and the race was just really close. There is nothing wrong with that, it happens. We had so many people come up to the ropes and wish us luck. I am looking forward to getting to Norwalk in a couple days. It will be a busy race for us.”
Hyde and the Head Racing team will be back in competition next weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 26-29 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, June 27 and two more qualifying sessions on Saturday, June 21. For tickets or more information on the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, visit nhra.com.
This story was originally published on June 23, 2025. 
