SEATTLE (July 20, 2025) — Jim Dunn Racing and driver Buddy Hull showed off how well they can rally during tough circumstances when they were able to quickly put their nitro Funny Car back together during the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways after a trip into the sand trap in the second round of qualifying. Their solid pass was strong enough to keep them in the show against a competitive field for the rest of qualifying, leading them to face No. 2 qualifier Matt Hagan on race day.
“I have to give the biggest shoutout in the world to Big Jim, Jon and the rest of the guys for putting the car back together after Q2,” said Hull. “Any time you go into the sand it’s a lot of work to shake it out and get it in working order again. We had sand and rocks in all kinds of crevices, including my helmet. But they managed to pull out our backup body and make it happen.”
Coming into the weekend, Hull was highlighting a Lescure Mechanical Services livery for the first time this season. The blue and orange livery also brought attention to partner Alo. After his trip to the sand during Q2 that still resulted in a solid 4.165 second, 270.70 mph pass, he and the team sat out of the third qualifying session to work on the car. When they pulled up to the starting line during the final round of qualifying, they were sporting the Jim Dunn Racing 75thanniversary Mooneyes body.
Buddy Hull repped Lescure for the first time this season at the Northwest Nationals, photo credit Innovation Creative Experts
“Going into Sonoma next weekend, we’re going to get our bangin’ Lescure livery back,” said Hull. We’re going to head back to the shop and do that. We’re also going to continue to go over the car and figure out what went wrong. The car went straight in the burnout and when I left. But we wanted to go further.”
By the time the first round of eliminations rolled around on Sunday, Hull felt confident that they at least had a chance against Hagan. Unfortunately, the TSR Nitro team was able to get to the finish line first. As Hull was reflecting on the weekend, what stuck out to him was how many learning experiences he continues to have in his sophomore season of driving a Funny Car on drag racing’s biggest stage.
“When you listen to other drivers, the legendary guys out here like Big Jim, the ones who have done it all… their success stories and their failures, these kinds of things have to happen,” said Hull. “All of the guys who have had massive success have also had some crazy stuff happen. It’s just part of growing. I know myself very well, even when crazy stuff happens, I strap right back in the car the next time with a heart rate of 80. It’s not a big deal. I have no fear of this car, I just get right back in. I’m happy we have Sonoma next weekend, so I will be back in the car, continuing to push real soon. Big Jim has had prior success at this race, and the state of California is where Jim Dunn Racing calls home, so I’ll keep adding to that legacy.”
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will be back in competition next weekend at the Denso Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge on July 15-27 at Sonoma Raceway. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, July 25 and two qualifying sessions on Saturday, July 26. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Sonoma Nationals visit nhra.com.
Qualifying Results Q1: 8.576 sec, 74.20 mph; Qual. 14 Q2: 4.165 sec, 270.70 mph; Qual. 8 Q3: No run; Qual. 13 Q4: No run; Qual. 15 Bonus Points: 0
Race Results
First Round
Matt Hagan, Christiansburg, Va., TSR Direct Connection Dodge/SRT Hellcat Funny Car, (.097), 3.979 sec, 275.51 mph def.Buddy Hull, Dallas, Tex., Lescure Mechanical Services Dodge Charger, (.100), 9.728 sec, 70.84 mph
