CHARLOTTE (September 21, 2025) — Rookie standout Spencer Hyde continued to strengthen his case for NHRA Rookie of the Year honors this weekend at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, powering the Head Inc. Ford Mustang into the second quad for a quarterfinal finish and leaving the event sitting eighth in the championship points standings.
Hyde entered eliminations in the No. 12 qualifying position, thanks to his Q3 pass of 3.967 seconds at 324.12 mph. In the first round, he lined up against veterans Chad Green, Cruz Pedregon and Alexis DeJoria. Rising to the occasion, Hyde delivered his quickest run of the weekend, a 3.944 second, 325.06 mph pass, to take the win light and advance alongside Green.
“We have a race car that can win races and I am getting better with every pass,” said Hyde. “That was a big first-round win for the Head Inc. and Hyde Construction Funny Car team. I can’t say enough about how well this team is working together. We made some great runs in qualifying but it was pretty hot this weekend.”
In the second round, Hyde faced Green again, this time alongside Matt Hagan and Jack Beckman. Despite another strong performance, Green scored a holeshot victory to end Hyde’s day, advancing with No. 1 qualifier Matt Hagan. Still, Hyde left encouraged by the progress and momentum his team continues to build.
“We won that first quad because Jim [Head] made all the right calls,” said Hyde. “I was ready and we just got it done. Running four-wide takes some extra concentration and that is something I have been working on. We have four more races and I feel good about our chances. There are a lot of guys bunched up in the points and we just need to keep going rounds.”
With only four races remaining in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Hyde remains firmly in the mix of the Funny Car championship chase, while also strengthening his position as a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors.
Hyde and the Head Racing team will be back in competition next week at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals on September 26-28 at World Wide Technology Raceway. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, September 26 and two more qualifying sessions on Saturday. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Midwest Nationals visit nhra.com.
Race Results First Round Win: Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Inc. Funny Car, (.081), 3.944 sec, 325.06 mph R/U: Chad Green, Midland, Tex., Bond Coat Ford Mustang, (.065), 3.975 sec, 325.61 mph 3rd: Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind., Snap-on Tools Dodge SRT Hellcat, (.089), 4.021 sec, 311.13 mph 4th: Alexis DeJoria, Los Angeles, Calif., Bandero Café Funny Car, (.114), 4.689 sec, 173.38 mph
Semifinals Win: Matt Hagan, Christiansburg, Va., TSR Direct Connection Dodge/SRT Hellcat Funny Car, (.065), 3.963 sec, 327.19 mph R/U: Chad Green, Midland, Tex., Bond Coat Ford Mustang, (.044), 4.011 sec, 322.50 mph 3rd: Jack Beckman, Corona, Calif., PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS, (.138), 3.939 sec, 325.69 mph 4th: Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Inc. Funny Car, (.072), 4.006 sec, 318.02 mph
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Point Standings – Funny Car 1. Austin Prock 2298 2. Ron Capps 2204 3. Jack Beckman 2200 4. Matt Hagan 2199 5. Paul Lee 2171
HYDE HAS STRONG QUARTERFINAL FINISH IN CHARLOTTE
CHARLOTTE (September 21, 2025) — Rookie standout Spencer Hyde continued to strengthen his case for NHRA Rookie of the Year honors this weekend at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, powering the Head Inc. Ford Mustang into the second quad for a quarterfinal finish and leaving the event sitting eighth in the championship points standings.
Hyde entered eliminations in the No. 12 qualifying position, thanks to his Q3 pass of 3.967 seconds at 324.12 mph. In the first round, he lined up against veterans Chad Green, Cruz Pedregon and Alexis DeJoria. Rising to the occasion, Hyde delivered his quickest run of the weekend, a 3.944 second, 325.06 mph pass, to take the win light and advance alongside Green.
“We have a race car that can win races and I am getting better with every pass,” said Hyde. “That was a big first-round win for the Head Inc. and Hyde Construction Funny Car team. I can’t say enough about how well this team is working together. We made some great runs in qualifying but it was pretty hot this weekend.”
In the second round, Hyde faced Green again, this time alongside Matt Hagan and Jack Beckman. Despite another strong performance, Green scored a holeshot victory to end Hyde’s day, advancing with No. 1 qualifier Matt Hagan. Still, Hyde left encouraged by the progress and momentum his team continues to build.
“We won that first quad because Jim [Head] made all the right calls,” said Hyde. “I was ready and we just got it done. Running four-wide takes some extra concentration and that is something I have been working on. We have four more races and I feel good about our chances. There are a lot of guys bunched up in the points and we just need to keep going rounds.”
With only four races remaining in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Hyde remains firmly in the mix of the Funny Car championship chase, while also strengthening his position as a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors.
Hyde and the Head Racing team will be back in competition next week at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals on September 26-28 at World Wide Technology Raceway. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, September 26 and two more qualifying sessions on Saturday. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Midwest Nationals visit nhra.com.
Race Results First Round Win: Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Inc. Funny Car, (.081), 3.944 sec, 325.06 mph R/U: Chad Green, Midland, Tex., Bond Coat Ford Mustang, (.065), 3.975 sec, 325.61 mph 3rd: Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind., Snap-on Tools Dodge SRT Hellcat, (.089), 4.021 sec, 311.13 mph 4th: Alexis DeJoria, Los Angeles, Calif., Bandero Café Funny Car, (.114), 4.689 sec, 173.38 mph
Semifinals Win: Matt Hagan, Christiansburg, Va., TSR Direct Connection Dodge/SRT Hellcat Funny Car, (.065), 3.963 sec, 327.19 mph R/U: Chad Green, Midland, Tex., Bond Coat Ford Mustang, (.044), 4.011 sec, 322.50 mph 3rd: Jack Beckman, Corona, Calif., PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS, (.138), 3.939 sec, 325.69 mph 4th: Spencer Hyde, Stratford, Ontario, Head Inc. Funny Car, (.072), 4.006 sec, 318.02 mph
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Point Standings – Funny Car 1. Austin Prock 2298 2. Ron Capps 2204 3. Jack Beckman 2200 4. Matt Hagan 2199 5. Paul Lee 2171
