Tue, 04 Nov 2025, 20:19 PM Dylan Winefsky Continues Funny Car Education in Las Vegas

Courtesy of Elon Werner, Werner Communications

LAS VEGAS --- Upstart Funny Car driver Dylan Winefsky continued his progression to becoming a future full-time NHRA Funny Car driver with a strong effort at the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals this weekend. Running in a field of 21 Nitro Funny Cars the 20-year-old Arizonian was hoping to claim one of the 16 qualified spots in the fifth Countdown playoff race. Through two days of qualifying that started on Friday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Winefsky and the Nitro Moose Funny Car team made a gallant effort.

"We came into this weekend knowing it would be a very tough road to get into the field, but we never doubted ourselves," said Winefsky, who has raced his way up from the Junior Dragster ranks to Nitro Funny Car. "Everyone on this team was working their butts off as soon as we got parked. This was our second race in Las Vegas and I felt comfortable. I have raced here throughout my career, so I was excited to get the race started."

Dylan Winefsky and the Nitro Moose Funny Car team gave their best effort at the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals Photo credit NHRA/National Dragster

On Friday the Nitro Moose Funny Car rolled off the trailer and made a solid run in the opening session. Winefsky wheeled his Funny Car to the provisional No. 14 spot with a 4.279 second pass. The team went back to the pits with the mindset to step up their performance in the second qualifying session. Unfortunately, as the team was wrapping up their preparations and putting the engine back together following the warm-up, a miscue in the process cost the team valuable time and they could not make the second qualifying session.

"We had a couple new crew guys and we were working out the kinks," said Robert Winesfsky, Dylan's father and crew member. "We just got caught in the time crunch of the turnarounds. If we had had five or ten more minutes I think we could have made both of those runs or avoided the starting line issues. Dylan is doing a great job driving we just need more time on the track."

During the final day of qualifying Dylan and the Nitro Moose Funny Car Had two more shots to move up into the quick 16. They made another smooth run to start the day. The Nitro Moose Funny Car blasted down the track on a 4.342 second pass at 291.28 mph. It was a significant improvement on speed and the car fell off slightly on elapsed time but again, the team took the positive information with the plan to improve in the final session. As qualifying wrapped up the car executed its burnout but a clutch issue prohibited the team from making a final run that could have propelled them into the field. They ultimately wound up in the 20th qualifying spot but the event was not without multiple positive moments on and off the track.

"I think you have to experience events like this to know what we need to work on for next season and the future of our program," said the young driver. "Johnny West is an amazing crew chief and we just need more track time. I feel like I am getting better behind the wheel when we run. We just need to figure out a way to get to more races. We will be back in 2026, but we'll have to see what races work for us."

During the race weekend Winefsky spent time with the fans between qualifying sessions. On Friday the track hosted two fan-centric Halloween trick-or-treat sessions. On Saturday Winefsky was a featured guest on the NHRA stage with NHRA announcer Hannah Rickards talking about his three races this season as well as how his career has been progressing. The young driver was open about his goals and aspirations. He also talked about the positive experiences from his first year competing on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series this season.

"This year was more than I could have hoped for," said Winefsky. "We got to race twice in Las Vegas and we qualified for the Seattle national event. That was huge for our team. This class is very tough and just to be able to come out here and run beside these full-time Funny Cars is awesome. Next year we will be even more prepared and I am looking forward to the challenge."

Qualifying Results
Q1: 4.279 sec; 279.50 mph; Qual. 14
Q2: No Run; Qual. 17
Q3: 4.342 sec; 291.28 mph; Qual. 19
Q4: No Run; Qual. 20
Bonus points: 0

Press Releases: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Feb 05- Motorcycle Drag Racer Dystany Spurlock Aims for Historic NASCAR ARCA Series Bid
Jan 28- Hyde Reaches Elite Eight at U.S. Street Nationals
Jan 28- Red Line Oil Joins Hull Racing for the 2026 Season
Jan 28- Speedmaster Signs Mult-Year Partnership with John Force Racing as Co-Primary Sponsor of Josh Hart's Top Fuel Dragster
Jan 19- Jon Schaffer Named Crew Chief for Paul Lee's Nitro Funny Car Team in NHRA Mission Foods Series
Jan 17- John Force Racing Renews Apparel Partnership with Marwin Sports USA
Dec 18- Motorsports Community Raises $13,000 for Riley Kids at Return of Rev ‘n Roll Event
Dec 17- Sam Pack Ford Releases Buddy Hull Edition Mustang
Dec 13- Summit Motorsports Park Launches Launches "Race For Hope" Charity: Accelerating Positive Change
Dec 13- Sander Racing Wheels Named Official Wheel Partner of Elite Motorsports