MENARDS CELEBRATES JIM DUNN RACING’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY AT THE MIDWEST NATIONALS
LONG BEACH, CA (September 24, 2025) — Jim Dunn Racing, one of the most legendary teams in NHRA history, is set to compete with their Menards Funny Car this weekend at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway, September 26-28. The race marks another milestone in the team’s 75th year in professional drag racing.
At the most recent Countdown event in Charlotte, Jim Dunn Racing and Alex Laughlin, filling in for driver Buddy Hull, recorded elapsed times of 4.026 seconds, 4.000 seconds and 3.987 seconds, a promising sign that the team is headed in the right direction during the NHRA’s six-race Countdown. The Midwest Nationals is the third of those six events, and the team is eager to continue moving forward.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the direction our team is headed,” said Hull. “Charlotte was a big step forward for us with that sub-four-second run, and it showed that the hard work everyone has been putting in is starting to pay off. I’m proud to have Alex filling in for me again in St. Louis while I get back to 100 percent. He’s a great driver and having him double up in Funny Car and Pro Mod just shows his adaptability.”
While Hull continues to recover from a left-hand injury suffered at the Denso Sonoma Nationals in July, Laughlin will once again step into the driver’s seat of the Menards Funny Car. Laughlin, a versatile competitor who will also be racing in Pro Mod, will look to build on the team’s recent progress and momentum.
“I’m itching to be back behind the wheel of this 12,000-horsepower nitro Funny Car, but my hand still needs to get stronger before it’s safe for me to do so,” said Hull. “I’m working with some of the best doctors in the state of Texas to make sure I do this the right way. I want a long career in this sport, so I don’t want to cause worse problems for myself by hopping back into the seat prematurely.”
This weekend’s event highlights the return of Menards as primary sponsor on the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car along with Lincoln Welders. To celebrate the Menards partnership, Buddy Hull, Alex Laughlin and team owner “Big Jim” Dunn will appear at a local Menards store in the St. Louis area on Thursday evening from 5:30 – 7 p.m., giving fans a chance to meet them ahead of race weekend. They will be taking photos, signing autographs and answering all of the questions about Funny Cars at the O’Fallon Menards store, located at 1179 Central Park Dr. O’Fallon, IL 62269.
“Being able to represent Menards for the second time this season is an honor,” said Hull. “Their support means so much to our program, and getting to meet fans at the Menards store on Thursday with Big Jim is something I’m really looking forward to. St. Louis always brings out incredible fans, and we can’t wait to see everyone this weekend.”
In addition to Menards and Lincoln Welders, this weekend Hull and Laughlin will also be representing sponsors Blaze Exhaust Probes, Lescure Mechanical Services, KGC Construction, Mooneyes, Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Crow Safety, Koppl Pipeline Services, True Brand, Wiley X, USD and Compass Facility Services.
“These Countdown races are getting serious, every team is giving it everything they’ve got,” said Hull. “Jim Dunn Racing is still very much in that fight. I talked to Alex, and we’re coming to show out in St. Louis. It’s something the fans won’t want to miss.”
Laughlin and the Jim Dunn Racing team will have two qualifying runs on Friday, September 26 and then two more qualifying runs on September 27 at World Wide Technology Raceway. The 16 Funny Cars with the quickest elapsed times after all four rounds of qualifying will compete on race day on Sunday, September 28 at 11 a.m. CT. Fans can watch the race on FS1. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Midwest Nationals visit nhra.com.
