For veteran Top Fuel and Funny Car driver “Nitro” Joe Morrison the start to the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season has been fast and not so furious. The part-time racer has been working extensively with his Right2Breathe® Project and while that program continues to grow and change lives his opportunities to race have taken somewhat of a back seat. This weekend he will make his 2026 NHRA national event debut racing the Herzhauser Racing Funny Car at the inaugural Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS. This will be the third time this season Morrison has gotten behind the wheel of the Herzhauser Racing Funny Car and the opportunity to get back in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is top of mind.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to drive this Herzhauser Funny Car at Maryland International Raceway. When you can race an NHRA national event that is a big deal,” said Morrison. “We have had a lot going on with Right2Breathe so that has kept me off the track. Getting to race at an inaugural event is always cool because there will be so many new fans there.”Morrison has experience at MIR racing in the nostalgia Funny Car ranks on several occasions in the past. This weekend the New Jersey resident is looking forward to mixing it up with a tough Funny Car field and one of the new tracks on the NHRA schedule.
“I saw the reaction from the fans to the race at South Georgia Motorsports Park and I think we will see the same kind of excitement this weekend in Maryland,” said Morrison. “The fans that come out this weekend will see some great racing action and our goal is to get into the show and then give whoever we race in the first round all they can handle. I have a couple races under my belt already this season, so I feel really good in the race car.”
Leading up to the national event Morrison through the Right2Breathe® Project will be producing a PSA on the health risks of pneumonia. The sudden tragic death of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch has brought the dangers of pneumonia to the forefront of lung health and preventative care which are two to the core elements Morrison has built the Right2Breathe program around.
“Losing Kyle too quickly to pneumonia highlights how important early detection and preventative medical attention can be for anyone,” said Morrison. “Everyone at Right2Breathe is sending their prayers to the Busch family and we are hoping this tragedy will raise awareness for everyone to listen to your body and take care of your lung health. Our mission with Right2Breathe is to help others live better and live longer by getting diagnosed as early as possible.”
Since 2016, the Right2Breathe Project has provided free lung screenings to thousands of dedicated NHRA Drag Racing fans at motorsports venues nationwide. The Right2Breathe® Project is a dynamic, grassroots initiative focused on Lung Health Education, Awareness, and Screening. This campaign is hosted at various public venues, including automotive and sporting events across the United States. They had a presence at the Norwalk, Charlotte, Epping, Reading, Indianapolis, Dallas and Pomona over the years as well as at the Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield.
Prior to the race Morrison will be one of over two dozen drivers at the pre-race FanFest event on Thursday night at The Barns at New Market in Mechanicsville, Md. (29133 Thompson Corner Road). Driver autographs are slated from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and include a host of NHRA standouts, including four of the points leaders in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Along with a chance for fans to meet Morrison and get autographs, the festive atmosphere and kickoff to the inaugural NHRA weekend will also include Jr. Dragsters, live music, food and drink vendors, a classic car show, and more. For fans traveling to St. Mary’s County for the race, they can visit www.visitstmarysmd.com for planning resources, including lodging options, area attractions, and local retail and restaurant options.
“Getting to do FanFests before a race is one of the highlights of the weekend,” said Morrison. “I did the FanFest before the Gatornationals this year at Burnyzz Speed Shop and it was awesome. This event is shaping up to be just as fun for the fans. I can’t wait to meet the Maryland fans and get them fired up for the race weekend.”
Morrison and the Herzhauser Funny Car team will have two qualifiers on Friday and two on Saturday to grab a spot in the 16-car Funny Car field. Final eliminations will get underway on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET. Fans looking for tickets or more information can visit www.nhra.com and for more information on Joe Morrison and his racing activities visit www.nitrojoemorrison.com.
The post “Nitro” Joe Morrison Ready to Race at Potomac Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
