On March 8, 2026, Josh Hart drove the Speedmaster/Burnyzz Speed Shop Top Fuel dragster to victory at the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals — winning in his first race with John Force Racing and opening NHRA's 75th anniversary season with a result that resonated across the sport.

Hart ran 3.733 seconds at 337.83 mph in the final round, defeating reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta. He set a new Gainesville Raceway track speed record during Friday qualifying — 340.30 mph — and earned his first career No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel.

The Partnership

In January 2026, Speedmaster signed a multiyear partnership with John Force Racing as co-primary sponsor of Hart's Top Fuel dragster, alongside Hart's own Burnyzz Speed Shop. The agreement also includes associate sponsorship across all three of JFR's Funny Car teams: Jack Beckman, Alexis DeJoria, and Jordan Vandergriff.

It was the first time a driver, not the team, brokered a primary sponsorship deal at John Force Racing. Hart built the relationship with Speedmaster CEO Jason Kencevski directly and put the deal together himself. As 16-time Funny Car champion and team owner John Force noted: Hart had the relationship, and he made it happen.

"This partnership brings together legacy and the next generation. We believe it helps set a powerful example for young entrepreneurs and leaders across the automotive industry." — Jason Kencevski, CEO, SpeedmasterThe Gatornationals was the debut. The result exceeded expectations.

Qualifying: A Track Record Falls

Hart opened Friday qualifying with a 3.658-second pass at 340.30 mph — the fastest run in Gainesville Raceway history. The pass set new personal bests in both elapsed time and top speed, and locked in the provisional No. 1 qualifying position.

By Saturday, the position held. Hart earned his first career No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel — in his very first start with John Force Racing.

Race Day: Four Rounds, Four Wins

Round One

Hart dispatched Dan Mercier with a 3.751 at 335.65 mph. Mercier smoked the tires and never threatened.

Quarterfinals

Tripp Tatum, the 2022 Gatornationals winner, ran a quicker 3.79 against Hart's 3.845 — but red-lighted with a -.098 reaction time. Hart advanced.

Semifinals

Four-time NHRA champion Antron Brown stood between Hart and the final. Both cars struggled for grip, but Hart recovered faster — running 4.488 at 289.51 to Brown's 4.552 at 246.93.

The Final: Hart vs. Kalitta

Reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta was all that remained. A brief rain delay before the final added to the tension. When the lights dropped, Hart launched the Burnyzz Speed Shop/Speedmaster dragster to a 3.733-second pass at 337.83 mph. Kalitta slowed to 3.877 at 319.60.

Hart's third career Top Fuel victory. His first in nearly five years. And his first Diamond Wally — the special trophy honouring NHRA's 75th anniversary season.

The Numbers

Hart set or matched every personal benchmark in his career — all within his first four days with John Force Racing:

• Gainesville Raceway track speed record: 340.30 mph (Friday qualifying)
• Personal best elapsed time: 3.658 seconds
• Personal best top speed: 340.30 mph
• First career No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel
• First career Diamond Wally trophy
• Most round wins in a single weekend of his career

"We crushed every record that I have had in my career, all in the first weekend with John Force Racing. Those guys are absolutely awesome. The most professional team I've ever been a part of." — Josh HartHart's Path to John Force Racing

Hart spent five years and $22 million of his own money owning and operating his own Top Fuel team before joining John Force Racing. The move came when the 16-time champion approached Hart about replacing Brittany Force in the team's Top Fuel seat.

Hart is also the founder and CEO of Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala, Florida — a business he built from the ground up alongside his wife, Brittanie. He credits his success to loyalty and humility.

That mindset is what connects the partnership with Speedmaster. Two organisations built from the ground up. Two stories rooted in discipline, ambition, and long-term thinking. Now operating together on the largest stage in drag racing.

Gainesville Raceway holds particular significance for Hart. It was the first drag strip he ever drove down. He won his Top Fuel debut there in 2021. He lives just down the road in Ocala. The Burnyzz name was on the side of the winning dragster — and on the left-lane timing scoreboard where he took the final.

What This Represents for Speedmaster

Speedmaster is one of the only aftermarket manufacturers holding a co-primary sponsorship role in the NHRA Top Fuel category. For a brand that started as a modest garage operation called Pete's Performance in 1979, this marks a measurable shift in scale and positioning.

Today, Speedmaster operates with more than 500 employees across three continents, with 25,000 parts designed, engineered, and manufactured in-house. The company's name rode the left side of a 12,000-horsepower dragster at 340 mph and sat in the winner's circle at one of NHRA's most recognised events.

The partnership opened NHRA's 75th anniversary season with a victory. The trajectory is set.

What's Next

Hart leaves Gainesville atop the Top Fuel points standings with 122 points — 26 clear of Kalitta in second. The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues with the Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix, with 19 races still ahead in a 20-race season.

One race. One win. One track record. One Diamond Wally. This is only the starting point.

About Speedmaster

Speedmaster is a vertically integrated performance company that designs, engineers, and manufactures more than 25,000 parts in-house. Founded in 1979, the company operates with more than 500 employees across three continents, delivering complete performance systems — from engines and cylinder heads to transmissions, differentials, and forced induction. Speedmaster is a co-primary sponsor of Josh Hart's Top Fuel dragster at John Force Racing and an associate sponsor across JFR's three Funny Car teams in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

Contact:info@speedmaster79.com | (909) 605-1123