Thu, 19 Mar 2026, 07:59 AM Defending Event Champion Paul Lee Returns to Phoenix with Mainline Sales Primary

Courtesy of Krista Baldwin For NHRA Arizona Nationals

PHOENIX, Arizona -- Defending event champion Paul Lee heads into this weekend's NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park with Mainline Sales, Inc. returning as the primary partner on the Paul Lee Racing Nitro Funny Car.

Lee captured his first career Nitro Funny Car Wally at this event one year ago, marking a milestone victory for both the driver and the growing Paul Lee Racing (PLR) program. Now returning to Phoenix as the defending champions, the team looks to build on that momentum with a refreshed Mainline Sales paint scheme that highlights the company's continued investment in the partnership.

"Coming back to Phoenix as the defending event champion is really special for our entire team," said Lee. "To have Mainline Sales and so many of their key manufacturing partners represented on our Funny Car makes it even more meaningful. Our Paul Lee Racing program is built on creating real business-to-business opportunities, and we're proud to help generate new connections while continuing to strengthen the relationships with the partners who have supported us along the way."

Mainline Sales has been a part of Paul Lee Racing since the team's inception in 2019, making this weekend's primary sponsorship a continuation of a long-standing relationship rooted in performance and business-to-business growth. The 2026 Arizona Nationals livery will prominently feature the new Mainline Racing logo on the hood, the Mainline Sales corporate branding on the sides, and a collection of key manufacturer partners represented across the rear quarter panels.

"This race in Phoenix is especially meaningful for us as we celebrate the opening of Mainline's new 25,000-square-foot warehouse," said Alicia Sylvester, Marketing LEAD & Fuel Assistant. "We're proud to share this milestone alongside Paul Lee and our valued manufacturer partners who have supported our primary sponsorship. Our program continues to grow, and our customers become more energized with every race weekend. It's a great example of the strong B2B relationships created through Paul Lee and Steven Cole's vision."

"We're incredibly excited to move into our new warehouse facility and begin this next chapter of growth for our team," added Joe Libman, Arizona & Southern Nevada LEAD. "This new space will allow us to operate more efficiently, expand our capabilities, and service the territory even better. As an associate sponsor of Paul Lee Racing over the past several seasons, Mainline Sales continues to see the value of the strong business-to-business relationships built through Paul Lee's racing program and marketing platform."

The partnership between Mainline Sales and Paul Lee Racing continues to exemplify how motorsports can drive meaningful connections between manufacturers, distributors, and end users. With a shared focus on growth, service, and performance, both organizations have leveraged the NHRA platform to strengthen relationships across multiple markets.

As Lee returns to the site of his breakthrough victory, the team aims to defend their title and continue establishing themselves as a consistent contender in Nitro Funny Car competition during the 2026 NHRA season.