Canada’s Spencer Hyde continued to strengthen his case for NHRA Rookie of the Year honors this weekend at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, powering the Head Inc. Ford Mustang into the second quad for a quarterfinal finish and leaving the event sitting eighth in the championship points standings.

Hyde entered eliminations in the No. 12 qualifying position, thanks to his Q3 pass of 3.967 seconds at 324.12 mph. In the first round, he lined up against veterans Chad Green, Cruz Pedregon and Alexis DeJoria. Rising to the occasion, Hyde delivered his quickest run of the weekend, a 3.944 second, 325.06 mph pass, to take the win light and advance alongside Green.

 “We have a race car that can win races and I am getting better with every pass,” said Hyde. “That was a big first-round win for the Head Inc. and Hyde Construction Funny Car team. I can’t say enough about how well this team is working together. We made some great runs in qualifying but it was pretty hot this weekend.”

In the second round, Hyde faced Green again, this time alongside Matt Hagan and Jack Beckman. Despite another strong performance, Green scored a holeshot victory to end Hyde’s day, advancing with No. 1 qualifier Matt Hagan. Still, Hyde left encouraged by the progress and momentum his team continues to build. 

“We won that first quad because Jim [Head] made all the right calls,” said Hyde. “I was ready and we just got it done. Running four-wide takes some extra concentration and that is something I have been working on. We have four more races and I feel good about our chances. There are a lot of guys bunched up in the points and we just need to keep going rounds.”

With only four races remaining in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Hyde remains firmly in the mix of the Funny Car championship chase, while also strengthening his position as a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors.

Hyde and the Head Racing team will be back in competition next week at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals on September 26-28 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Posted by Elon Werner