SONOMA NATIONALS NEXT CHALLENGE FOR TOP FUEL’S JOSH HART
OCALA, FL – The Western Swing consists of three races in three weeks moving the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series from Denver 
to Sonoma to Seattle. Second-year driver Josh Hart from Ocala, Florida, is tackling all three tracks for the first time with his R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster. After a breakout rookie season last year that saw Hart, a multi-time Top Alcohol Dragster winner, win twice racing only a partial schedule, he has invested in expanding his commitment to the NHRA by racing the full season. Over the off-season Hart’s Fearless Racing operation bought a new Top Fuel dragster and invested in additional assets to make a run at the Top Fuel world championship.
“Last year was amazing and really got me excited for this season,” said Hart. “Over the off-season we made a big commitment to being successful in 2022 and beyond. We had some growing pains at the start of this year, but we worked through them together. Over the past four races we have really turned a corner and I am looking forward to success at the Sonoma Nationals.”
The new experiences at tracks like Sonoma Raceway also provide Hart the chance to not just have success in front of new fans but also introduce his sponsors to a new group of potential supporters. The R+L Carriers marketing program is more than logos on the side of Hart’s 11,000 horsepower dragster and multiple haulers. Throughout the weekend R+L Carriers hosts guests and employees at the races and talks with fans about the unique employment opportunities the nationally recognized and family-owned company offers.
“I am blessed to represent a company like R+L Carriers that is family owned and really treats their employees well,” said Hart. “Every race we get the chance to host R+L Carriers teammates and talk with fans about potential career opportunities with R+L Carriers. There are a wide variety of jobs available all over the country and I am excited to be a part of the process of telling people about the company.”
Last weekend in Denver at Hart’s first race on the mountainside of Bandimere Speedway Hart and his Ron Douglas tuned racecar qualified No. 9 and raced to the semifinal round. It was a successful weekend for the second-year team and continued a wave of momentum that has been steadily building over the past four races. Since Epping’s New England Nationals Hart has qualified No. 5, No. 3 and No. 4 leading up to the start of the Western Swing. His last two races have earned the team a runner-up finish in Norwalk, Ohio, and the semifinal in Denver.
“We had a good weekend in Denver and we are looking to improve on that in Sonoma,” said Hart. “The final round in Norwalk was another big step forward. I think we are in position to get another win very soon. That has been our goal all season and every race I feel better and better about our chances.”
The season started slowly but as the series makes its turn to the second half his three semifinal finishes and runner-up finish has the team sitting in fifth place in the Top Fuel point standings. The five races coming up will be a prime opportunity for Hart to close the gap on the four drivers at the top of the standings.
“I am not counting points by any means, but I do want to give our R+L Carriers team the best chance to race for the Top Fuel championship,” said Hart. “When they reset the Top Fuel points you want to be as high as possible to be within striking distance of the No. 1 spot. I am looking forward to my first chance to compete in the Countdown.”
Professional qualifying will begin on Friday night with a lone qualifying session followed by two more sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will begin at 10:30 a.m. with FOX broadcasting the race beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
photo by Auto Imagery
