Spencer Hyde Rockets into First Funny Car Final at Epping

Spencer Hyde reached a new milestone at the NHRA New England Nationals at Epping when he raced to his first career Funny Car final. Competing for Head Racing, Hyde entered as the No. 8 qualifier and used strong runs throughout the day to secure his place among the top contenders.

In just his fifth start behind the wheel of a Funny Car, Hyde achieved personal bests and also locked in a berth for the upcoming Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Bristol.

Hyde’s path to the finals began with a first-round showdown against four-time world champion Matt Hagan, the most successful Funny Car driver at New England Dragway. Hyde delivered a 3.863-second run at 333.08 mph, the fastest in that round for the class and a new personal speed record, tying his best-ever elapsed time.

That strong performance eliminated Hagan and set an energetic tone for Hyde’s day. The next round put Hyde against Buddy Hull, driver of the Jim Dunn Racing Mooneyes Funny Car.

Hyde again excelled with a 3.925-second run at 325.30 mph, advancing to the semifinals. He acknowledged the challenge of racing seasoned opponents like Hagan and Hull but saw value in getting more chances for championship points and extra prize money in the Thunder Valley Nationals qualifiers.

In the semifinals, Hyde met Jack Beckman, who had just won the preceding event on the NHRA tour. Determined to make his mark, Hyde reacted quickly with a 0.052-second reaction time, the fastest of his Funny Car career.

Beckman had trouble at the start, sending his car into the wall, but Hyde was safely clear and kept moving toward the finish. Hyde later said this was the first time he had successfully “pedaled” a Funny Car after losing traction, and he was proud of the improvement in his skill.

Facing J.R. Todd in the final, Hyde battled but came up short of the win as the Kalitta Motorsports driver earned the victory. Despite the loss, Hyde finished the weekend upbeat.

He accumulated points for going four rounds, picked up a bonus point for having the third-quickest car in the first qualifying round, and emphasized the team’s consistency and readiness to compete with the best.

After Epping, Hyde looked forward to his second back-to-back racing weekend, getting ready for Bristol’s Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals from June 6-8. He spoke about the need to stay sharp with limited laps in his new car, having only made just over 40 passes so far this year.

Even with the tough schedule, Hyde shared that his confidence is growing and that his rookie season is on the right track. Hyde’s team and supporters are eager for a breakthrough win following consistent gains and public recognition.

Hyde remains grateful for the Head Racing crew’s effort and believes their progress signals that more success is coming soon. The journey continues as Hyde and his team stay focused on making their mark in the NHRA Funny Car ranks.