Josh Hart’s bid to move up the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel points standings fell short today at the 39th annual NHRA Texas Fall Nationals. Hart, who qualified No. 11, dropped his first round match-up with Texan Billy Torrence at Texas Motorplex. Hart rolled off the trailer on Friday and posted the fourth quickest run of the first round of qualifying with a 3.776 second pass at 327.99 mph. Over the next three rounds of qualifying Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team battled in tough and hot track conditions.
“I felt good with our first run on Friday and then we just missed it during the Friday night session,” said Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner. “On Saturday we were just trying to play catch up on a hot track. We usually have a good hot track tune-up, but we just couldn’t get a handle on it. We are going to get ready for the last two national events and see what we can do.”
In the first round against Torrence Hart was up for the challenge against the No. 6 qualifier. Hart was first off the starting line with a .061 second reaction time in front of Torrence’s .083 second start. Unfortunately, Hart could not hold the lead as Torrence made a smooth pass down the Motorplex’s all-concrete quarter-mile track while Hart smoked the tires at half-track.
“This just wasn’t our day, but you know what I am not going to let this get me down,” said Hart. “There are hurricanes in Florida and people are having real struggles. We are trying to raise donations at Burnyzz Speed Shops in Ocala for the people affected by the storms. I love drag racing, but I will be back in the shop as soon as possible and start doing my part. We will be in Las Vegas and ready to race.”
Hart participated in the Pre-Stage Fanfest on Thursday night in downtown Waxahachie in advance of the Texas Fall Nationals and spent time with guests in the Champion’s Club on Friday. The fan involvement is a bonus for Hart to talk about R+L Carriers and all his sponsors.
“They had a great crowd at the Fan Fest on Thursday, and I got to talk with the folks in the Champion’s Club on Friday,” said Hart. “As a driver you want to spend time with the fans because they keep the sport growing. I appreciate the Meyer family for all they have done to build up the Stampede of Speed and the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals.”
Hart and the R+L Carrier Top Fuel team will be back in action at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals, October 31-November 3 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
This story was originally published on October 14, 2024. 
