Wed, 08 Apr 2026, 16:37 PM Dylan Winefsky Thrilled to Compete at Winternationals, 1000th Funny Car Race

Courtesy of Photo credit SR Driven Media

EL MIRAGE, Ariz. --- Since his season debut at the Arizona Nationals Dylan Winefsky and the Nitro Moose Funny Car team have been working on improving their team in anticipation of a strong showing at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, the 1000th Funny Car race in NHRA history. The 21-year-old driver from El Mirage, Arizona, qualified No. 14 to open his 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Winefsky, who races under the Nitro Moose banner, with crew chief Johnny West and the support of his family is excited to race at historic In-N-Out Dragstrip at Pomona for the first time.

"There is a lot of history in the Funny Car class, and we are just excited to be in the mix this weekend," said Winefsky. "The NHRA will have a special trophy for this race I think plus this is the 75th anniversary of the NHRA and the new Wally's look amazing. Our goal is to come out and qualify and then see what can happen on Sunday."

Dylan Winefsky and the Nitro Moose Funny Car team are excited to compete at the NHRA's 1000th Funny Car race this weekend at the Winternationals

During the Arizona Nationals Winefsky had a career weekend setting personal bests with his quickest and fastest runs. Through four rounds of qualifying in Arizona Winefsky and the Nitro Moose Funny Car team tuned by veteran Johnny West improved on the performance side, capped off their best qualifying effort, a 4.159 second, 299.93 mph run, personal bests for Winefsky.

"Each run in the car just keeps getting better. I am getting more comfortable with each run too. I couldn't do it without all these guys and everyone on this team. It was great weekend in Arizona, and it couldn't have gone better," said Winefsky. "It was cool seeing a bunch of our friends come out and support us. I'm having a blast. We are hoping to have a good group join us in Pomona."

Winefsky has received sponsorship backing from supporters across the country. Lowe's will be highlighted on his 12,000 horsepower Funny Car along with Audio Express, Robert's Car Care, Outlaw Race Engines and Bob Jackson Body Repair. The support from these companies is appreciated by Winefsky, especially the budding Lowe's Home Improvement relationship.

Dylan Winefsky, rising star in the NHRA Funny Car ranks, is thrilled to me making his second start of the 2026 NHRA season.

"We are a single car, family-run team so every dollar matters and we really appreciate all the support we get," said Winefsky. "Getting involved with Lowe's even on a small scale was huge. When we went to Lowe's in Maricopa before the Arizona Nationals it was cool to talk with the customers and sign a few autographs. I am hoping to grow that relationship as well as everyone else on our race car."

Seeing the Funny Car qualify in a tough Funny Car field in Arizona has Winefsky confident about the team's chances heading into Pomona. There will be 18 Funny Cars vying for 16 spots on race day. Four qualifying runs are on the schedule with the 16 quickest drivers earning their way into the race day program. The fact that everyone starts with an even shot at qualifying is a huge benefit in Winefsky's opinion.

"Everyone has to prove themselves in the NHRA no matter if you are a world championship team or a team like us that is just getting started building our program," said Winefsky. "Johnny West has a ton of experience, and our crew guys do a great job so we have a solid chance. The key is just being prepared and consistent. Since Phoenix we have been improving a lot of our inventory of race parts so we will be ready for the Winternationals. My dad and I have been in the shop, our garage, every chance we get going over everything to make sure we are ready. I am looking forward to a busy weekend."

In addition to the on-track racing activities Winefsky will be a featured guest on the NHRA stage in the Nitro Alley pit area. Fans will get a chance to hear from him on Friday at 12:30 p.m. when he will be interviewed by NHRA stage emcee Hannah Rickards. The young driver enjoys the opportunity to talk with fans about his career and the thrill of racing a Nitro Funny Car.

"I am getting better behind the wheel at every race, and I feel like I am also getting more comfortable talking with the media every race too," said Winefsky, who was also a guest on the NHRA stage last year in Seattle. "I love being able to talk about our team and our sponsors. We are a new team, and I appreciate all the support from the fans. Every race there is someone new talking to us and wishing us luck. That is pretty cool."

The Nitro Moose Funny Car team along with the rest of the Funny Car class will get two qualifying runs on Friday at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. with the final two sessions contested on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The quickest 16 Funny Cars will run in eliminations on Sunday morning beginning at 11:00 a.m. Fans can tune into the race on FS1 and following Dylan on his social media accounts throughout the weekend.