Special to The Source
**Photos/Marcy Patterson and Dan Ricks
On Sunday, Oct. 2, Buddy Hull competed in the 11th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, held at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Hull finished in 11th. Hull was knocked off by four-time defending Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence, who compiled a run of 3.741-seconds at 328.70 mph in his final round in his 11,000-horsepower dragster.
It was a great weekend for Top Fuel driver and team owner Hull as Jacksonville area fans attended the racing event to support him. Hull had also received a special sponsorship from Tillitt Collision Center of Jacksonville and KE Baker Trucking of Murrayville. This was in addition to his weekend sponsors of Gates Belts, KE Baker Trucking and Hull’s own company, Vertex Roofing and General Contractors.
For 2022, Hull has qualified for each event he has entered. He is in his second year as a professional Top Fuel driver, having finished No. 14 in point standings in the Top Fuel category for his rookie year in 2021. The Top Fuel category, Hull’s category with NHRA, is the top class in the sport. Reportedly, racers can jump from 0 to 300 mph in less than four seconds — Hull’s top speed has been clocked at 308 mph.
Hull purchased friend Tim Wilkerson’s Top Fuel operation earlier in 2022 and plans for a continued mentorship between the two are set. Hull’s 2022 season continues next in Dallas. To follow Buddy Hull Racing on social media, search @BuddyHull323TF on Twitter or Instagram, or “Buddy Hull Racing” on Facebook.
