Dallas native and Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car driver Buddy Hull is fired up for his return to Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 26-29. Hull, who will be making his third appearance at the fan-favorite event and second in the Funny Car category, is carrying serious momentum into Norwalk following a solid showing at last weekend’s American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals.
Hull will once again pilot the eye-catching Blaze Exhaust Probes livery, a fiery design that turned heads during its debut last weekend. This race also marks the second event with Jim Dunn Racing’s new Nitro Funny Car, which Hull believes is already showing promising signs of becoming a hot-weather warrior.
“Virginia gave us a solid read on what this new car wants in the heat,” said Hull. “Now that we’ve got a better hot-weather tune-up under our belts, we’re eager to see what it can do in Norwalk. This place is known for its killer track surface and awesome fans, it’s one of the best tracks we compete at all year.”
Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park and the Bader family are widely regarded for their attention to detail in ensuring the fan and driver experience are top notch, making it a favorite stop for teams and drivers alike. With temperatures expected to climb once again, teams will need to manage the heat while still chasing performance. Hull is optimistic heading into the weekend, citing strong progress from the crew and a growing comfort level in the new ride.
“I love Norwalk. The Baders, they run a heck of a program out there,” said Hull. “The track is always prepped flawlessly. The grounds are beautiful. The fans are always good there. And it’s going to be another hot one. I think we have a hot weather tune-up going on right now. So we have a little bit of momentum that we will put to good use.”
In addition to Blaze Exhaust Probes, Hull will also be representing season-long sponsors Lescure Mechanical Services, KGC Construction, Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Crow Safety, Koppl Pipeline Services, True Brand, Mooneyes, Compass Facility Services, USD and Wiley X. Montauk Native Gas is also featured on the rear wing for the first time this season.
The Jim Dunn-tuned Funny Car will also highlight fellow crew chief Brian Corradi’s Corradi’s Scoop Ice Cream Shop on the rear wing. The family-owned business is in the heart of Brecksville, Ohio, serving up exceptional ice cream experiences. Just like on the track where excellence and creativity come into play for both Dunn and Corradi the ice ream shop features fresh batches of our creamy, indulgent ice cream that is thoughtfully churned in house from the best ingredients.
The Norwalk race has a lot of fun off-track action that Hull is looking forward to. There’s the infamous driver ice cream eating contest, a new ladder-style hot saw competition, fireworks and more. Hull will be leading New Fan Orientation with Hannah Rickards on the NHRA stage on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., where he is known for theatrically engaging with fans. Even with all of the entertainment happening off-track, Hull is always focused on the task at hand.
“Every run we make, we’re learning,” said Hull. “And with Jim Dunn and the team giving me a great race car, I feel like we’re on the edge of a breakthrough. This Blaze Exhaust Probes car is more than just sharp-looking; it’s got fight in it. I’m excited to prove that this weekend.”
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will have two qualifying runs on Friday, June 27 and then two more qualifying runs on June 28 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. The 16 quickest Funny Cars after four rounds of qualifying will compete on race day on Sunday, June 29 at 11:00 a.m. ET, battling for a Wally and the iconic billet aluminum ice cream scoop. Fans can watch the race on FS1 and the finals on FOX. For tickets or more information on the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, visit nhra.com.
This story was originally published on June 24, 2025.
The post Jim Dunn Racing, Buddy Hull Looking to Stay Cool When Norwalk Competition Heats Up first appeared on Drag Illustrated.