![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dragillustrated.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Dubbin_Funster_1600_900_2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\u201cA torque converter behaves differently than a clutch pack under slip, multiplying torque rather than shedding it, meaning the drive unit combined with the stator and converter pump combination will have to regulate applied torque to get the car off the starting line without overpowering the tires,\u201d Dubbin explained.<\/p>\n
The Top Alcohol Funny Car and Dragster categories have undergone a steady stream of rule changes over the past four years, all aimed at boosting interest and participation. ECU\u2011controlled, electronically fuel\u2011injected, torque\u2011converter\u2013driven methanol combinations \u2013 along with the introduction of the A\/Fuel Funny Car concept \u2013 were intended to serve as modern class builders. Instead, they\u2019ve struggled to deliver the growth officials had hoped for.<\/p>\n
Performance from these new configurations has been undeniably strong, often rivaling or surpassing traditional setups. But the barrier to entry has only grown higher. The cost and the specialized knowledge required to run an EFI\/ECU\u2011based alcohol program, and the steep learning curve associated with injected nitromethane tuning have collectively limited adoption. For many younger teams looking to break in, the sophistication and cost of the new technology have outweighed its potential benefits, leaving the class no better positioned \u2013 and in some cases more fragmented \u2013 than before the attempted overhauls.<\/p>\n
Dubbin is approaching the Funster project with caution and patience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in no hurry to set any records or do anything silly. I don\u2019t want to ruin a bunch of really expensive one\u2011off parts by doing something stupid. We need to gather as much information as we can every time down the track. There are some really smart and experienced people involved with this. I think we can make steady progress if we stick to the plan on every run,\u201d said Dubbin.<\/p>\n
He also acknowledges the project\u2019s potential to stir debate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m aware this is going to be viewed differently by people in the class. I\u2019ve done all the regular things: raced the blown\u2011alcohol car, raced the injected\u2011nitro car. It\u2019s time for something different. This is a very unique combination that some people say won\u2019t work, and I say: why not? Let\u2019s do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dubbin continued, \u201cI have no illusion that it\u2019s a class builder, and I don\u2019t think people are going to quit racing because of it either. I just want to put it on the track, get input from smart people, and have fun trying to make something completely new run competitively. Maybe it will be competitive and maybe it won\u2019t, but let\u2019s have some fun and find out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Funster will run at Brainerd as a second entry for Dubbin Motorsports. The team\u2019s standard A\/Fuel Dragster, which recently tested at Indy, will also compete, continuing its 2026 Lucas Oil Series campaign with Kirk Wolf driving.<\/p>\n
The post Dubbin Motorsports Set to Debut the \u201cFunster\u201d In Top Alcohol Dragster At Brainerd<\/a> first appeared on Drag Illustrated<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dubbin Motorsports will debut a new Top Alcohol Dragster entry at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals, August 20-23 at Brainerd International Raceway, with team owner Dean Dubbin returning to the driver\u2019s seat. The car blends design elements from two different chassis types into a single hybrid configuration the drag racing industry has dubbed the \u201cFunster.\u201d The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-104580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104580"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104580\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}