Tue, 17 Mar 2026, 09:13 AM Travis Shumake Returns to Arizona Nationals in Nostalgia Funny Car

Courtesy of Elon Werner, Werner Communications

Fry’s Food Stores backs hometown driver’s first Funny Car
appearance honoring father’s historic NHRA milestone

PHOENIX --- One year after setting the top speed of eliminations at 330.88 mph in his Fry's Food Stores Top Fuel Dragster, Phoenix native Travis Shumake will return to Firebird Motorsports Park in a completely different, but far more personal machine. For the first time in his professional career, the NHRA Top Fuel driver will compete behind the wheel of a Funny Car during the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark plugs, March 20-22, 2026. The second-generation professional drag racer will be driving Dave Benjamin's Nostalgia Funny Car in a special hometown appearance backed by longtime partner Fry's Food Stores.

Shumake, who is licensed in several NHRA categories, will make the debut just weeks before the NHRA is set to honor his late father, Tripp Shumake, during the 1,000th Funny Car race at the upcoming NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, an event Shumake has not ruled out attending.

The elder Shumake's 1981 Southern Nationals victory behind the wheel of Johnny Loper's Phoenix-based "Little Hoss" Funny Car marked the 100th Funny Car win in NHRA history.

"I actually started out trying to follow my dad tire tracks into a Funny Car when I began my racing career," explained Shumake. "The twists and turns of this off-season put me in a position where I can get back to my roots and celebrate my dad's milestone in a very direct way. I am excited to get back into competition and back to literally the roots of the Funny Car class."

Shumake's Fry's Food Stores Top Fuel Dragster will also be on display at Firebird Motorsports Park as part of an interactive activation with Kroger Health's Team Tune Up program, a partnership that will continue beyond the Phoenix race weekend.

The opportunity to drive a Funny Car at his home track follows a breakout performance at the 2025 NHRA Arizona Nationals, where Shumake captured the top speed of the event with a 330.88-mph run during eliminations against reigning 2-time Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta.

Travis Shumake will get back to his Funny Car root this weekend in Arizona

"Fry's Food Stores is committed to uplifting our local communities and the athletes who inspire them," said Christina Groth, Fry's Food Stores Vice President of Merchandising. "Travis embodies determination and hometown pride, and we're thrilled to support his first Funny Car appearance as he honors a remarkable family milestone in NHRA history."

The appearance is made possible through the continued support of Fry's Food Stores, which has partnered with Shumake for multiple seasons.

"Fry's has always believed in the hometown story," Shumake said. "They understand how special Phoenix is to me and why honoring my dad here matters so much. They have been an amazing supporter of my drag racing career and the sport in general."

The Legends Nitro Series kicks off qualifying Friday at 2:30 p.m. Fans can watch coverage on FS1 throughout the weekend.