Josh Hart To Wheel John Force[](https://johnforceracing.com/blog/john-force-racing-signs-josh-hart-to-drive-its-championship-top-fuel-dragster/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) In a major shakeup in the NHRA Top Fuel ranks, **Josh Hart** has been signed by **John Force Racing** to drive their Top Fuel dragster beginning in the 2026 season. ([John Force Racing][1]) This move sees Hart stepping into the seat vacated by **Brittany Force**, who announced she will step away from full-time competition at the end of 2025 to focus on family. ([John Force Racing][1]) — ### Hart’s Journey to Top Fuel Josh Hart’s path to this opportunity is built on steady climb through the drag racing ladder and on the back of an entrepreneurial racing mindset. His motorsports career began in various sportsman classes in 2011, before earning his **Top Alcohol Dragster** license in 2015. ([John Force Racing][1]) In that class, he posted three NHRA national event wins, including back-to-back **U.S. Nationals** titles in 2018 and 2019, as well as multiple regional wins. ([John Force Racing][1]) He moved up to **Top Fuel** in 2020 and launched his own independent Top Fuel effort starting in the 2021 season. Remarkably, he won in his **Top Fuel debut** at the Gatornationals. ([John Force Racing][1]) He also claimed victory later that year at the **Carolina Nationals** and won the **2023 NHRA Top All-Star Callout** in Gainesville. ([John Force Racing][1]) These accomplishments have helped solidify his credentials as a capable driver in the elite class. Through the 2025 season, Hart has remained a consistent competitor. He sits 10th in the NHRA Mission Foods Top Fuel standings heading into the final races of the season. ([John Force Racing][1]) He’s also continued to post strong performances in individual events — for example, at Norwalk in 2025 he qualified ninth and advanced to the quarterfinals. ([joshhartracing.com][2]) — ### What Hart Gains with John Force Racing Signing with John Force Racing (JFR) brings more than a fresh livery. Hart will now have access to high-end crew chiefs **Dave Grubnic** and **John Collins**, a tuning team with deep experience and success in Top Fuel. ([dragzine.com][3]) His longtime sponsor, **Burnyzz Speed Shop** (based in Ocala, Florida), will serve as the primary backer of the JFR Top Fuel entry. ([John Force Racing][1]) This continuity of sponsorship is important in drag racing, where funding and partnerships are critical to competing at the top level. John Force himself, a 16‑time NHRA Funny Car champion, has expressed optimism about Hart joining the fold, calling him “a family guy” and “a businessman.” He also indicated that adding Hart helps evolve the JFR stable and maintain competitiveness in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. ([John Force Racing][1]) One interesting point is that Hart will become just the **third** driver to race Top Fuel under the John Force Racing banner (after Brittany Force and John Force himself). ([John Force Racing][1]) So he’s joining a relatively exclusive lineage within the JFR organization. — ### Challenges & Expectations Transitioning from running his own operation to driving under a larger team presents both opportunities and expectations. Hart will need to adapt to working within a new structure and collaborate tightly with JFR’s existing systems. The departure of Brittany Force is significant; she has been one of the faces of the team. Hart explicitly acknowledged that “no one can replace Brittany Force,” emphasizing respect for what she built within JFR. ([John Force Racing][1]) He has set clear goals: to keep learning, to win races, and to ultimately chase Top Fuel championships as part of a new team setup. ([John Force Racing][1]) Hart’s move also coincides with a larger shift in his business dynamics. His entire Top Fuel program is being sold to **Elite Motorsports** at the end of the 2025 season, which suggests that his full attention will now shift toward driving rather than team ownership. ([Competition Plus][4]) — ### Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond Hart’s first outing in the JFR Top Fuel car will be at the **2026 NHRA Gatornationals** in Gainesville, Florida (March 5–8), which also marks the start of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season. ([John Force Racing][1]) As the 2025 season winds down, further details of the program are expected to be released. ([John Force Racing][1]) If Hart succeeds, this move could mark a turning point—not only for his career, but for John Force Racing’s continued relevance in the Top Fuel category. Blending Hart’s rising momentum with JFR’s legacy and resources may form a potent combination. Would you like me to help you draft an article, press release, or analysis on Hart’s prospects next season? [1]: https://johnforceracing.com/blog/john-force-racing-signs-josh-hart-to-drive-its-championship-top-fuel-dragster/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JOHN FORCE RACING SIGNS JOSH HART TO DRIVE ITS CHAMPIONSHIP TOP FUEL DRAGSTER – John Force Racing” [2]: https://www.joshhartracing.com/news-1/josh-hart-takes-on-hot-norwalk-and-races-to-quarterfinals?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JOSH HART TAKES ON HOT NORWALK AND RACES TO QUARTERFINALS | Josh Hart Racing” [3]: https://www.dragzine.com/features/josh-hart-to-drive-john-force-racing-top-fueler-in-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Josh Hart To Drive John Force Racing Top Fueler In 2026” [4]: https://competitionplus.com/elite-motorsports-expands-into-top-fuel-with-purchase-of-josh-hart-team/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “ELITE MOTORSPORTS EXPANDS INTO TOP FUEL WITH PURCHASE OF JOSH HART TEAM | Competition Plus” Racing Top Fuel Car