SEATTLE (July 20, 2025) — After three days of exciting qualifying and racing action Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will leave historic Pacific Raceways solidly in the top ten in points and with a consistently improving race car. Hart’s R+L Carriers Top Fuel team made five runs over the course of the weekend at the track located just south of Seattle, improving with every run. At the conclusion of qualifying Hart was sitting in the No. 8 qualifying position with a respectable 3.812 second, 327.43 mph pass in the fourth session.
“Like a lot of teams, we got behind the eightball on Friday during the night session,” said Hart. “On Saturday we had good conditions, but we had to work our way up to a quick run throughout the day. Having the three runs on Saturday made it manageable. I like having the three runs that more closely mimic race day conditions.”
Josh Hart launches off the starting line at Pacific Raceways during the Northwest Nationals,
photo credit Krista Zivcic
Heading into the opening round, Hart was squaring off with the points leader Tony Stewart. Both teams had excellent first round win records so Hart and his R+L Carriers team knew they would need to be at the top of their game. Unfortunately, Hart made an out of character mistake missing the Christmas tree and giving Stewart a starting line advantage. Hart’s best run of the weekend, a 3.746 second, 331.12 mph pass came up just short at the finish line.
“I picked a bad time to blink and it cost the team,” said Hart, a multi-time Top Fuel national event winner. “I am thrilled to see the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster make performance improvements. It is tough to come from crazy hot tracks to places like Seattle where the weather was really strong. We will be in a great position heading to Sonoma.”
Hart continues to focus on a strong finish to the regular season. With three races left before the Countdown resets the points for a six-race sprint to the championship, Hart and his team are dialing tune ups to give them a great set of data. At the conclusion of the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals Hart will leave Seattle sitting ninth and less than 100 points from seventh place.
“We are coming to every race looking to win,” said Hart. “We are also looking to put ourselves in the best position for the Countdown.”
Josh Hart hops into the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster during the NHRA Northwest Nationals,
photo credit Krista Zivcic Photography
The R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will be back in action at the Sonoma Nationals, July 25-27, at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 6.385 sec, 100.03 mph; Qual. 7
Q2: 6.078 sec; 113.15 mph; Qual. 9
Q3: 3.837 sec; 326.00 mph; Qual. 8
Q4: 3.812 sec; 327.03 mph; Qual. 8
Bonus points: 0
Race Results
First Round
Tony Stewart, Columbus, Ind., Dodge Direct Connect dragster, (.073), 3.751 sec, 328.38 mph def. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster, (.108), 3.746 sec, 331.12 mph
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Point Standings – Top Fuel
1. Shawn Langdon 918
2. Tony Stewart 906
3. Justin Ashley 825
4. Doug Kalitta 747
5. Brittany Force 691
6. Antron Brown 683
7. Clay Millican 574
8. Steve Torrence 569
9. Josh Hart 484
10. Shawn Reed 422