INDIANAPOLIS (September 1, 2025) — As a two-time NHRA U.S. Nationals winner Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will have to wait another year to add a third title from the most prestigious drag race in the world. After a solid qualifying effort at the NHRA U.S. Nationals that set the team up as the No. 8 qualifier they were ousted in the first round by No. 9 qualifier Tripp Tatum. Through three days of qualifying the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team posted some of the quickest runs in the category earning four qualifying bonus points for making the quickest run of the second qualifying session. Their final run on Saturday night was an impressive 3.809 seconds at 330.31 mph pass that gave the team confidence heading into the opening round.
Josh Hart will leave Indy in 8th place chasing his first Top Fuel world championship,
photo credit Krista Zivcic Photography
Facing Tatum, who was returning to racing action after a lengthy hiatus, Hart had lane choice and momentum on his side. The R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster rolled to the starting line looking to start adding win lights to Hart’s U.S. Nationals history. In 2018 and 2019 Hart won the event in the competitive Top Alcohol Dragster class before stepping to Top Fuel for the 2021 season.
Hart was first off the starting line with a reaction time advantage of .057 to .077 seconds but as his R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster began to race to half-track his Goodyear slicks overpowered the track, and Tatum made a smooth pass in the right lane for the first round win. This was just the second time in his career that Hart has not advanced to at least the quarterfinals at the NHRA U.S. Nationals.
“I think that we have assembled a very fine group of mechanics that are capable of top shelf performances,” said Hart, following the first round loss. “We’ve provided everybody with all the proper tools to keep this program evolving with no expense spared. I’m very grateful for my sponsors and my wife, Brittanie, and every single person that supports our efforts.”
Josh Hart thanks the fans during the NHRA U.S. Nationals opening ceremonies,
photo credit Krista Zivcic Photography
Exiting the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster team will be looking to make a run at the Mission Foods Top Fuel world championship. The first of six playoff races will be contested at Maple Grove Raceway, September 11-14. Hart will enter the Countdown as the No. 8 driver in the point standings less than 100 points behind the point leader.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 3.734 sec, 333.00 mph; Qual. 8
Q2: 3.733 sec; 334.73 mph; Qual. 8
Q3: 4.902 sec; 147.63 mph; Qual. 8
Q4: 5.269 sec; 127.09 mph; Qual. 8
Q5: 3.809 sec; 330.31 mph; Qual. 8
Bonus points: +4 (Quickest of Q2)
Race Results
First Round
Tripp Tatum, Avon, Ind., Tripp Tatum Racing, (.077), 3.724 sec, 327.74 mph def. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster, (.057), 5.610 sec, 119.65 mph
INDIANAPOLIS (September 1, 2025) — As a two-time NHRA U.S. Nationals winner Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will have to wait another year to add a third title from the most prestigious drag race in the world. After a solid qualifying effort at the NHRA U.S. Nationals that set the team up as the No. 8 qualifier they were ousted in the first round by No. 9 qualifier Tripp Tatum. Through three days of qualifying the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team posted some of the quickest runs in the category earning four qualifying bonus points for making the quickest run of the second qualifying session. Their final run on Saturday night was an impressive 3.809 seconds at 330.31 mph pass that gave the team confidence heading into the opening round.
Josh Hart will leave Indy in 8th place chasing his first Top Fuel world championship,
photo credit Krista Zivcic Photography
Facing Tatum, who was returning to racing action after a lengthy hiatus, Hart had lane choice and momentum on his side. The R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster rolled to the starting line looking to start adding win lights to Hart’s U.S. Nationals history. In 2018 and 2019 Hart won the event in the competitive Top Alcohol Dragster class before stepping to Top Fuel for the 2021 season.
Hart was first off the starting line with a reaction time advantage of .057 to .077 seconds but as his R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster began to race to half-track his Goodyear slicks overpowered the track, and Tatum made a smooth pass in the right lane for the first round win. This was just the second time in his career that Hart has not advanced to at least the quarterfinals at the NHRA U.S. Nationals.
“I think that we have assembled a very fine group of mechanics that are capable of top shelf performances,” said Hart, following the first round loss. “We’ve provided everybody with all the proper tools to keep this program evolving with no expense spared. I’m very grateful for my sponsors and my wife, Brittanie, and every single person that supports our efforts.”
Josh Hart thanks the fans during the NHRA U.S. Nationals opening ceremonies,
photo credit Krista Zivcic Photography
Exiting the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster team will be looking to make a run at the Mission Foods Top Fuel world championship. The first of six playoff races will be contested at Maple Grove Raceway, September 11-14. Hart will enter the Countdown as the No. 8 driver in the point standings less than 100 points behind the point leader.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 3.734 sec, 333.00 mph; Qual. 8
Q2: 3.733 sec; 334.73 mph; Qual. 8
Q3: 4.902 sec; 147.63 mph; Qual. 8
Q4: 5.269 sec; 127.09 mph; Qual. 8
Q5: 3.809 sec; 330.31 mph; Qual. 8
Bonus points: +4 (Quickest of Q2)
Race Results
First Round
Tripp Tatum, Avon, Ind., Tripp Tatum Racing, (.077), 3.724 sec, 327.74 mph def. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster, (.057), 5.610 sec, 119.65 mph
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Point Standings - Top Fuel
1. Tony Stewart 1138
2. Shawn Langdon 1099
3. Justin Ashley 1084
3. Doug Kalitta 1082
5. Brittany Force 909
6. Antron Brown 861
7. Clay Millican 786
8. Josh Hart 625
9. Steve Torrence 622
10. Shawn Reed 535
