For the third time this season Josh Hart and his R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will be making a debut appearance at a new stop on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. To date the second year Top Fuel team owner and driver has stepped up to the challenge advancing to at least the quarterfinals at the conclusion of his first races at both the Arizona Nationals and then two weeks ago at the Virginia Nationals where he qualified 13th and grabbed an upset win over Clay Millican before dropping the quarterfinal race to Mike Salinas.
“I love the challenge of every race but getting to race this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster in front of a whole new group of fans is pretty exciting,” said Hart, who is sitting 7th in the Top Fuel point standings. “Our goal with this team is to win races and introduce R+L Carriers and their exciting career opportunities to people across the country. Getting to meet fans this weekend at New England Dragway will be a wonderful experience for everyone.”
The start to his sophomore Top Fuel season has been a challenge for the multi-class winner. A variety of new car shakedown gremlins have popped up at inopportune times for Hart and his team. They are heading into the eighth race with a brand new 11,000 Top Fuel dragster that crew chief Ron Douglas has been making positive strides with all season. Highlights have included a semifinal finish at the Arizona Nationals and an appearance in the final quad of the Carolina Four-Wide Nationals that netted another semifinal points finish.
“We have been taking two steps forward and then hitting a little hiccup, but I really feel like two weeks ago we turned a corner in Richmond,” said Hart. “We had to battle the weather with all the other teams and luckily got two qualifying runs. We didn’t put up great numbers in qualifying, but we came out strong on race day and got a round win and then had an issue in the quarterfinals that we can correct moving forward. We were right in that race and I know big things are coming up for this R+L Carriers team.”
Hart has built his Top Fuel operation from the ground up with the idea and belief that “Anything is Possible.” Last season in only 13 races he won twice, recorded four more semifinal finishes and was one of the top contenders for NHRA rookie of the year even though he only attended just over half the races on the season. In a three-race streak to start the Countdown Hart won Charlotte and recorded two semifinal finishes at St. Louis and Dallas when the stakes were the highest for the entire Top Fuel class.
“I truly believe we have a team that can win every time we roll our R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster to the starting line,” said Hart. “I have an awesome team behind me and the support of so many great sponsors and companies that love racing but also love making a difference. I will be talking with people all weekend about career opportunities and how amazing it is to be able to follow your dreams and make them a reality.”
Through his marketing relationship with R+L Carriers Hart and his marketing team host potential employees at every NHRA national event as well as offer information about career opportunities in a variety of areas for R+L Carriers. For over 55 years, they have been owned and operated by the same family with a core belief to treat customers and employees as an extension of the R+L family. Customer satisfaction is a top priority and they take pride in the quality service extended to each individual. Hart is excited to be potentially making a difference in the lives of his fans as well as entertaining them on the track.
“We will get a night time qualifying run on Friday which is always exciting,” said Hart. “Then on Saturday we get two more shots at the track. Sunday will be race day and we’ll have this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster ready to rock and roll.”
Elon Werner PR
