PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 22, 2026) — Phoenix native Travis Shumake returned to Firebird Motorsports Park with several goals as he made his Legacy Nitro Funny Car debut during the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals this weekend. The second-generation driver was racing to honor his late father Funny Car standout Tripp Shumake and he was representing long-time Arizona area sponsor Fry’s Food Store as well as Kroger Health, Red Line Oil and Yates Buick and GMC.
Driving Dave Benjamin’s Nostalgia Funny Car Shumake made three qualifying attempts but missed making the eight-car field. Shumake has plans to build on this experience to race more Legacy Nitro Funny Car national events including plans for a possible appearance at the historic Winternationals, the 1000th Funny Car event in NHRA’s 75-year history.
Travis Shumake and the Fry’s Food Store Funny Car made a solid effort at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, photo credit SR Driven Media
Travis Shumake’s Arizona Nationals Debut Full of Promise for Future Events
PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 22, 2026) — Phoenix native Travis Shumake returned to Firebird Motorsports Park with several goals as he made his Legacy Nitro Funny Car debut during the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals this weekend. The second-generation driver was racing to honor his late father Funny Car standout Tripp Shumake and he was representing long-time Arizona area sponsor Fry’s Food Store as well as Kroger Health, Red Line Oil and Yates Buick and GMC.
Driving Dave Benjamin’s Nostalgia Funny Car Shumake made three qualifying attempts but missed making the eight-car field. Shumake has plans to build on this experience to race more Legacy Nitro Funny Car national events including plans for a possible appearance at the historic Winternationals, the 1000th Funny Car event in NHRA’s 75-year history.
Travis Shumake and the Fry’s Food Store Funny Car made a solid effort at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, photo credit SR Driven Media
“I came into this event wanting to qualify and make a solid impression,” said Shumake, who holds professional licenses in Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and I am pleased we improved on our runs from Q1 to Q2. In the last session I couldn’t get the car into reverse and we missed our shot at that last run. I think we have a much quicker run ready to go and you never know what can happen in drag racing. I want to thank Dave Benjamin for the opportunity to drive the Fry’s Food Store Funny Car this weekend. The car looked amazing.”
In the opening qualifying session on Friday Shumake made a shakedown run to get acclimated to the new racecar posting a 11.903 second at 64.22 mph run to get on the qualifying sheet. In the second round with track temperatures soaring past 140 degrees Shumake and the Fry’s Food Stores Funny Car stepped up with a solid 5.892 second run at 137.64 mph. On Saturday in the final qualifying session Shumake was looking to run quicker that 4.921 seconds and following his burnout he could not get his race car into reverse and had to shut off on the starting line.
“A year ago we set the top speed of eliminations in Top Fuel running 330.88 mph and this year we were making a big change in categories. This sport is very humbling,” said Shumake. “I learned a lot and we got a ton of attention for Fry’s Food Stores and Kroger Health. I got more comfortable in the Funny Car every time I strapped in. I know this won’t be my last Legacy Nitro Funny Car race.”
On Saturday morning Shumake along with NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car superstars Ida Zetterstrom and Julie Nataas signed autographs in the Kroger Health display that featured Shumake’s Fry’s Food Stores Top Fuel dragster as well as other race cars. The trio spent time with fans taking photos and also promoting Kroger Health initiatives to hundreds of Arizona Nationals fans.
“The Saturday morning autograph session was tremendous,” said Shumake. “We talked with so many fans about the Fry’s Funny Car, my dad and also all the cool things Kroger Health is doing. Having Ida and Julie there was great and I think we started a lot of race fans days on a positive note before it go too hot. I was also able to talk with fans about our Fry’s Top Fuel dragster.”
The race weekend appearance was made possible through the continued support of Fry’s Food Stores, which has partnered with Shumake for multiple seasons.
“Fry’s has always believed in the hometown story,” Shumake said. “They understand how special Phoenix is to me and why honoring my dad here matters so much. They have been an amazing supporter of my drag racing career and the sport in general.”
The next opportunity for Shumake to race in the Legacy Nitro Funny Car Series will be the historic NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, April 9-12, 2026. For more information visit www.nhra.com.
