SEATTLE (July 20, 2025) — Spencer Hyde, the young Canadian driver for Head Racing, continued to prove why he is the lead contender for NHRA Rookie of the Year at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals this weekend, when he advanced to his third semifinal round of competition. Hyde bested tricky opponents Paul Lee and points leader Austin Prock to cement himself in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge next weekend at the Sonoma Nationals.
“This was a solid weekend even though we didn’t get the win,” said Hyde. “Getting to the semifinals was big. We are back in the Mission Foods Challenge for Sonoma. I felt really good in the car all weekend.”
Each pass that Hyde made throughout qualifying he improved his speed and elapsed time, with his best pass coming during the final round, a 3.958 second, 320.81 mph run. This pass was enough to put him on the top half of the ladder at No. 8, with Paul Lee landing as his first opponent during eliminations. He was able to get around Lee before facing off against Austin Prock in the second round. Hyde knew that he would need to bring it against the reigning world champion, so he channeled a 3.910 second, 329.02 mph pass that was enough to turn on a win light.
Rookie of the Year front-runner Spencer Hyde raced to his third semifinal of the season at the Northwest Nationals, photo credit NHRA/National Dragster
“Beating Paul Lee in the first round was huge, even though it wasn’t our best performance,” said Hyde. “We caught a break there and you need those sometimes. Racing Austin in the second round, he’s the points leader and they are a very strong team. Any time you can get around them you are having a good day. We knew we needed a good run, and we got it with our best run of the weekend.”
In the semifinals against 3-time world champion and 4-time Northwest Nationals champion Ron Capps, Hyde was the first off the starting line. In one of the most thrilling side-by-side drag races of the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, Capps was just barely able to get around Hyde, winning by .0014 seconds, and just 8 inches.
“The race against Capps was so close,” said Hyde. “We were right there at the finish line and those are the races we need to find a way to win. We have a great team, and we are running really well. I am looking forward to Sonoma.”
In just six days, Hyde will have the opportunity to face off against Capps again in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge during qualifying at the Sonoma Nationals. This will be the third time this season that Hyde will be competing for the bonus check and trophy. In his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge appearance during the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, Hyde won it all. He is hoping to repeat that performance next weekend.
“I love competing in the Mission Foods Challenge because it makes qualifying even more exciting for us and the fans,” said Hyde. “Jim Head and the guys keep giving me an awesome race car, so I am confident we will have another great weekend in Sonoma.”
Hyde and the Head 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.
Race Results First Round Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Inc. Funny Car, (.115), 4.181 sec, 283.79 mph def. Paul Lee, Orange, Calif., McLeod Racing/FTI Performance Charger, (.076), 8.238 sec, 77.22 mph
Second Round Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Inc. Funny Car, (.086), 3.910 sec, 329.02 mph def. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS, (.069), 4.397 sec, 245.23 mph
Semifinals Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, (.091), 3.915 sec, 328.14 mph def. Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Inc. Funny Car, (.089), 3.918 sec, 330.39 mph
