Buddy Hull’s Talkin’ Funny Cars Earns People’s Telly Gold

Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull made a strong debut on the NHRA FAST channel and recently earned a People’s Telly Award Gold in the 46th annual Telly Awards. The interview series, hosted by NHRA Funny Car driver Buddy Hull, featured stories from respected drivers and introduced their personalities to a wide audience.

Produced by Werner G+E, the show’s first season aired on July 31, 2024, with episodes available on several platforms such as the Roku Channel, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, and Sling Freestream.

Receiving a Telly Award is a major milestone for any television program. Since it began in 1979, the Telly Awards have celebrated the best in video and television, drawing entries from around the world. For more on the history of the awards, visit the official Telly Awards website.

This year’s field included over 13,000 submissions. Winners alongside Talkin’ Funny Cars included top names like Pixar Animation Studios, ESPN, NASA, MTV Entertainment Studios, and the LA Clippers.

Organizers say the award recognizes creative and technical excellence across all forms of video.

Elon Werner, president of Werner G+E and executive producer of the show, credited Buddy Hull and an energetic lineup of NHRA drivers for the program’s success. Hull’s authentic approach led to insightful conversations with guests such as Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon, Paul Lee, Dan Wilkerson, Austin Prock, Matt Hagan, J.R. Todd, Jack Beckman, and Billy Meyer.

Werner also thanked the NHRA community for watching and voting for the show in the People’s Telly Award category.

Buddy Hull called filming the series a highlight of his rookie season in Funny Car racing. After driving for Jim Dunn Racing, Hull said he was able to learn both on and off the track, connecting with drivers and their teams. His recent dominance at the Chicago event further highlights his rising status in the sport. For more on NHRA racing and its drivers, check out the NHRA official site.

He also acknowledged Elon Werner, Warren Evans, and Abby Werner-Woodward for producing the series and fostering a supportive team atmosphere. Hull looked forward to seeing the show continue and reach more fans in season two.

Werner G+E was launched by Elon Werner, who also runs a successful sports public relations firm. The company’s plans include more original programming for the NHRA FAST channel, aiming to spotlight drivers, crew chiefs, and notable personalities in the drag racing scene.

Werner explained that future projects could include 30-minute interviews, full-length documentaries, or even scripted programs, with several initiatives already in development for 2025 and beyond.

The Telly Awards themselves have grown beyond traditional television and now honor a wide range of work including documentaries, branded content, and social media. Winning entries have often come from leading companies such as AirBnB, Adobe, CBS Interactive, Microsoft, National Geographic, and more. Their landmark award history reflects their broad influence in the video and television industry.

The 46th annual award recognized excellence in this evolving field and celebrated creators from every part of the video and television industry.

With the season one win at the Telly Awards, Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull has established itself as a standout among motorsports programming. The strong backing from the NHRA community and ongoing support from the racing industry point to a bright future for the show.

Plans for a second season and more original motorsports content are already underway, setting the stage for another exciting year in drag racing media. For further insights into motorsports media trends, explore resources from SAE International.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.