Mercedes Mullins
In 2018, Mopar and Pennzoil® announced their sponsorship of the NHRA Top Fuel Dragster driven by Leah Pritchett, marking the brand's return to the class that established its reputation for excellence in drag racing. Since 2015, Pennzoil has been the official oil technology of Don Schumacher Racing, powering its Funny Car and Top Fuel drivers. In 2021, Pennzoil-backed drivers and teams across multiple divisions, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, NHRA, and Formula Drift, scored multiple victories. This paragraph will explore the drivers behind the Pennzoil Top Fuel car.
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Don Schumacher Racing drivers
Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) is a force to be reckoned with in the world of motorsports, with a long list of accomplishments and a legacy built by its founder, Don Schumacher. Schumacher, a legendary team owner and former racer, passed away in December 2023, leaving behind a racing empire that has dominated the tracks for decades.
Schumacher's own racing career was impressive, with his prowess in Funny Car match racing in the 1960s and 1970s earning him a reputation as a force to be reckoned with. His achievements include winning the 1972 Coca-Cola Cavalcade of Stars, the 1973 AHRA World Championship, five NHRA national events, nine IHRA events, and an astounding 70% of his 560 match races. He set records in his "Stardust" Barracuda Funny Car, with speeds that still resonate today.
Following his driving career, Schumacher's impact continued through his role as a team owner. He introduced innovative safety features to the Funny Car category, including a roof-mounted escape hatch and a fire suppression system, contributing to the well-being of drivers. His teams have achieved remarkable success, amassing 19 NHRA world championship titles and 367 Wallys. DSR is the only team to have won Top Fuel and Funny Car titles in the same year, a feat they have accomplished four times.
The drivers who have raced for Don Schumacher Racing include more than 25 notable names, with some of the most recent additions to the team being:
- Leah Pruett: A talented Top Fuel driver who secured a Wally in 2021.
- Antron Brown: A skilled driver who also secured a Wally in the Top Fuel division in 2021.
- Matt Hagan: A champion in the Funny Car division, taking home three Wallys in 2021.
- Ron Capps: Another exceptional Funny Car driver who captured one victory and took home high honours in 2021.
Don Schumacher Racing has left an indelible mark on the racing world, with Schumacher's leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence propelling the team and its drivers to countless victories and a lasting legacy in motorsports.
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Leah Pritchett
Leah Christine Pruett (formerly Leah Pritchett, formerly Leah LeDuc) is an American semi-retired drag racer. She debuted in Top Fuel in 2013 with Dote Racing after previously competing in Pro Mod and Nostalgia Funny Car. Her first career national event win was on February 28, 2016, at the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Chandler, Arizona, defeating Brittany Force in the first all-female final round in Top Fuel since 1982.
In 2016, Pritchett finished seventh in points with one win. The following year, she finished fifth with four wins, and in 2018, 2019, and 2020, she finished fourth, with two wins in 2018 and one win in 2019 and 2021. On October 14, 2021, she was announced as the Top Fuel driver for Tony Stewart Racing in 2022. She plans to step aside from racing in 2024 to start a family with her husband, Tony.
Pritchett's success in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series, her first full season driving in all 24 events, showcased her talent. She started the year with wins at the first two events, claiming the Wally at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, her hometown track, and then successfully defending her 2016 NHRA Arizona Nationals title. Pritchett's victory at the Phoenix track further highlighted her skill and consistency in the sport.
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Matt Hagan
Hagan's career in NHRA Funny Car racing began in 2008 when he joined Don Schumacher Racing as the team's third driver. He made his professional debut at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, and quickly established himself as a rising star in the sport. In his rookie season, he won two national events and finished in the top ten in the point standings, earning him the NHRA Road to the Future Award as the top rookie of the year.
Since his debut season, Hagan has established himself as one of the most successful and consistent drivers in NHRA Funny Car racing. He has won multiple national events and consistently finishes in the top ten in the point standings. In 2011, he won his first NHRA Funny Car world championship, becoming the first driver in NHRA history to win the championship in a single season. He has since won two more NHRA Funny Car world championships, in 2014 and 2020, solidifying his place as one of the sport's all-time greats.
Hagan's success in the sport is due in part to his dedication, hard work, and unwavering focus. He is known for his intense preparation and attention to detail, constantly refining his driving technique and working closely with his team to ensure that his car is in peak condition. He is also a strong advocate for physical fitness and maintains a rigorous training regimen, believing that a healthy body is essential for optimal performance behind the wheel.
In addition to his success on the track, Hagan is also a highly respected ambassador for the sport of drag racing. He is known for his friendly and approachable personality, always taking the time to interact with fans and promote the sport to the public. He is also an active participant in charitable initiatives and community outreach programs, using his platform to give back and make a positive impact beyond the world of racing.
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Joey Logano
Logano has competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series, among others. He is the 2018, 2022, and 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske. He is the youngest ever winner in two of NASCAR's three top divisions.
In 2005, Logano ran in one FASCAR Pro Truck Series race at the New Smyrna Speedway, starting first and finishing second. He has also raced in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, competing in the Northern Division, Southern Division, and Championship Series races. Logano received the nickname 'Sliced Bread' from former NASCAR Cup Series driver Randy LaJoie, who believed he would be one of the best stock car drivers ever.
In 2021, Logano scored a victory at the dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway, driving the No. 22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang. He is the NASCAR 2018 NASCAR Cup Champion and was one of three drivers to earn a place in the NASCAR Cup Playoffs that year.
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Eddie Hill
Hill's association with Pennzoil began in the early days of his drag racing career when there were no corporate sponsorships. He was a frequent Pennzoil user and profited from contingency prizes due to his consistent wins. When he temporarily left drag racing in 1966, he continued to use Pennzoil as he ventured into boat racing and set new records.
Hill returned to land drag racing in 1985 and became the first driver to break five seconds in a quarter-mile in 1988. This was also the year he began driving the iconic all-yellow Pennzoil-sponsored top fuel dragster. Hill's success continued, and in 1993, he became the NHRA's oldest Top Fuel champion at the age of 57. This was his twelfth championship, and he set a record by winning six of seven national events and fifteen events overall.
Throughout his career, Hill earned various nicknames, including "Four Father of Drag Racing," "The Thrill," "Holeshot Hill," and "Fast Eddie." He was inducted into the NHRA Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2002. Hill officially retired from racing in 1999, but he continues to race competitively even in his eighties at the Hallet Motor Racing Circuit in Oklahoma.
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Frequently asked questions
Leah Pritchett, a rising star and Don Schumacher Racing driver, drives the Pennzoil Top Fuel car.
The Pennzoil Top Fuel car's debut race was the 37th Annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway near Denver in 2016.
Mopar is the primary sponsor of the Pennzoil Top Fuel car for select events, including the NHRA Denver, Sonoma, and Reading stops.
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