NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The world champion Bartone Bros. Racing team will park its record-breaking injected nitro Funny Car and return to supercharged alcohol at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

The team debuted the nitro burner at the “Baby Gators” in April and immediately reset the national record with a 5.330-second run at 281.42 mph, the first 280-mph run in class history.

At the Gatornationals, they broke its own record again, posting a 5.317 at 278.29 mph, and then driver Sean Bellemeur became the first injected nitro driver to win an NHRA national event, winning the rain-delayed Gatornationals final and then the 4-Wide Nationals event at zMAX Dragway.

The team has parked the nitro following a rule update that limited the nitro percentage to 91%. 

"I’m like a kid in a candy store right now," Bellemeur said. "As fun as the injected nitro project was, I am getting back in my hot rod. I’ve always been a blown alcohol guy, they’re more challenging to drive. They’re more technical, and they’re definitely more unpredictable. We have a point to prove to everyone out there. So I know the team is excited to get our championship car from last year back on track!

"As the old saying goes, it’s like riding a bike. I’ve driven this style of car for over 20 years. My family car is set up the same way as this car, too, and I’ve made laps in it recently, so I’m hoping we’ll get right back to where we were at the end of last year.

"With all of the things that have transpired this year so far for our team, we are more motivated than ever. The injected car has basically been handcuffed to a middle-of-the-pack car. We’ve been through a lot. A lot of negative energy thrown our way by a lot of people. To say we’re motivated and excited is an understatement."