Wed, 20 Aug 2025, 20:17 PM Hull Makes Most of Brainerd Nationals Outside of Cockpit

Courtesy of Elon Werner, Werner Communications Photo credit Innovation Creative Experts

BRAINERD, Minn. --- On Friday morning Jim Dunn Racing announced Jim Campbell would be racing the Menards Funny Car in place of permanent driver Buddy Hull who was recovering from an injury to his left hand suffered at the Sonoma Nationals. Hull had headlined a sponsor appearance at Menards in Baxter, Minnesota the night before beside team owner and NHRA Hall of Famer Jim Dunn. The Menards Funny Car was on display with Hull and Dunn meeting fans and posing for photos for nearly two hours on the eve of the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. Hull knew he would not be racing but was still fully engaged with the fans and his obligations as the principal driver for Jim Dunn Racing.

"These race cars are unpredictable, and everyone is pushing them to the performance edge," said Hull. "The Sonoma injuries were a little more significant than we originally thought but I am on the road to recovery. I am doing all the rehab the doctors are prescribing, and we will see where we are in a couple weeks. I am encouraged by the improvements I am seeing but it is just going to take some time. Spending the evening at Menards with the fans and Big Jim was some good medicine."

Buddy Hull (center) and the Jim Dunn Funny Car crew enjoyed an evening with the fans at the Baxter Menards.

On Friday Hull had a busy schedule beyond racing his 12,000-horsepower Menards Funny Car. He chatted up the fans in the pits with NHRA announcer Jason Logan as part of the Fan Orientation stage show he regularly participates in at national events. Hull provided fans with the ins and outs of navigating the facility, getting autographs and the best place to enjoy side by side 330 mph passes from the grandstands.

The host of Talkin' Funny Cars with Buddy Hull also spent time in the NHRA PA booth with NHRA announcer Jason Galvin during both Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying sessions. As a former Top Fuel team owner and driver and current Funny Car driver Hull was able to bring a unique perspective to the booth alongside Galvin's technical expertise. Throughout the session Hull brought up solid points about the drivers' mindsets and what the track conditions could mean to performance numbers. His input added to the fan experience especially during the Friday night qualifying session that featured the American Rebel Light "Battle for the Rebel Axe" specialty event that offered $4,000 and a one-of-a-kind American Rebel Light guitar to the quickest Top Fuel and Funny Car drivers on Friday night.

Buddy Hull (right) and NHRA announcer Jason Galvin handled the PA assignment on Friday of the Lucas Oil Nationals. Photo credit Werner Communications

"I 100% want to be in my Funny Car but spending time in the booth talking about Top Fuel and Funny Car racing is the next best thing," said Hull. "Jason knows a ton about the pros, so I think we delivered a lot of good insight to the fans listening. Before I went into the booth I signed autographs for the fans. I really appreciated all the well wishes and positive comments."

Hull was at the track on Saturday as well before returning to his home in Dallas to get back to work with his company Vertex Roofing and General Contractors. Hull and his wife Madi are also preparing to celebrate the first birthday of their son Maverick.

Jim Dunn Racing and Jim Campbell made a solid effort during qualifying with the Menards Funny Car. A 4.052 second, 279.50 mph pass made during the final round of qualifying put them in the No. 15 spot going into race day. On Sunday they were up against the reigning Funny Car world champion and current points leader, Austin Prock. Even though they made their best pass of the weekend, a 4.026 second, 286.80 mph run, it was not enough against the Prock powerhouse.

Hull and Jim Dunn Racing will keep fans updated as they evaluate Hull's medical status going into the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, August 27-September 1. For tickets or more information on the NHRA U.S. Nationals visit www.NHRA.com.