That “One Bad Texan,” John Hale, will be driving for Winefsky Family Racing at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas as the team debuts the Nitro Moose AA/FC. Twenty-year-old Dylan Winefsky, who previously drove the family’s Fuel Altered, will upgrade his license after the race to prepare for a 2025 Funny Car debut.
Hale has a long background in racing Funny Cars, including multiple Nostalgia Funny Car wins and championships in the DRO and Heritage Series. He also spent a season driving for Big Jim Dunn in the NHRA Funny Car ranks.
“John will be a great fit with our team as we shake down our new car,” said team owner Robert Winefsky. “Dylan is looking forward to learning from John, who has been a friend and supporter since Dylan’s Jr. Dragster days. John will be on hand Monday after the race to offer Dylan guidance as he makes his license upgrade runs in preparation for taking over the driving duties in 2025.”
Although this is a new team, they’re not new to this sport. Team owners Robert, Gwyneth and Dylan Winefsky have been campaigning a very competitive (and event winning) AA/Fuel Altered throughout the Southwest for decades.
“We’ve decided to step up to the big leagues with our own nitro Funny Car, spending the last two years collecting the quality parts and pieces and fabricating a race car to make its debut at the NHRA Nevada Nationals,” Dylan said. “We have a great crew. Bill Wallace and Brian Kelley have helped us with the Fuel Altered for years, and Kevin Knowles recently joined the team. He’s been around this sport a long time and has really helped us the past few months. We also have Johnny West, who’s been instrumental in helping us prep the car and getting it set up.”
Dylan, a second-generation driver, is not only a respected and well-spoken young talent, but also known as a gentle giant in the racing community. At just 20 years old, his professionalism and mechanical skill are exceptional, underscored by his impressive win at the 2023 California Hot Rod Reunion and his 2022 Legends of Nitro Rookie of the Year award.
This story was originally published on September 19, 2024. 
