07/18/2025
Good luck this weekend boys!
Funny Car rookie Dylan Winefsky will be making his second professional start at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort Northwest Nationals squaring off with full-time Mission Foods Drag Racing Series teams that he has admired his entire life. The 20-year-old is not intimidated by the prospect, considering his race team has received support from many of the teams, drivers and crew chiefs. The fact that he made a solid impression in his debut race in Las Vegas earlier this season also has established the team as a welcome addition to the NHRA tour. Winefsky, a second-generation driver, is looking to continue to improve his Nitro Funny Car skills and build on years of experience racing fuel altered's, this weekend at Pacific Raceways.
“The fuel altered was the same 125-inch wheelbase as my Funny Car, but it didn't have the down force,” said Winefsky, who started his career like so many current pros in the NHRA junior dragster ranks. “They kind of danced around a little bit at the top end. Control wise, and everything they are almost all the same procedure. They all handle a little differently. I did Frank Hawley’s school to get my Super Comp license, and then I got into our fuel altered. That's all I've driven, aside from the Funny Car.”
Winefsky wears many hats for the up-and-coming team from Arizona. The week leading up to the race the Funny Car driver will also be the team’s truck driver in charge of getting the 12,000 horsepower Funny Car from Arizona to Seattle. He has been driving his rig since he was 16 years old and enjoys the time on the road in advance of the races.
“You get a lot of time to think when you are on the road,” said Winefsky. “The only big issue we ever had while driving the truck was back in 2023, we were going to Bakersfield for the March Meet, and it snowed so the mountain overpasses were closed. We ended up having to go like 16 or 17 hours out of our way in the truck, we had to go back down to LA and up the coast to Paso Robles and then head back east.”
The team also receives support from several companies and individuals to get the team on track. Seattle-based Versatile Drilling Contractors and Bob Jackson Body Repair from Lewiston, Idaho, along with Lewiston ID made a huge impact to get the team to Seattle. Roberts Car Care, Stith Printing, Outlaw Race Engines and Motley Industries have been with the team from the beginning of the season and continue to support Winefsky’s rookie season efforts.
“We wouldn’t be able to get to races like Seattle without the help of Versatile Drilling Contractors and Bob Jackson Body Repair,” said Winefsky. “Lewison ID also stepped up for this race. Our full-season support from Roberts Car Care, Stith Printing, Outlaw Race Engines and Motley Industries means a lot too. Our goal is to try and get them some recognition and spread the word about their products and services.”
Following his debut at the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals Winefsky and his team have been busy at their shop. The team learned a lot from their first NHRA national event in the Funny Car class. They feel even more prepared for the Muckleshoot Northwest Nationals
“We had to do a little body repair because the paint got a little messed up in Las Vegas,” said Winefsky. “We got another short block, so we were building that. We got a new crank for the motor that's in the car. Doing little things here and there to help the program. Tool-wise and everything, just stepping up the program and then having the second trailer. We've been organizing that to lay it out how we want it.”
Just getting to the Las Vegas National event was a whirlwind for the young driver. The Funny Car raced in the Arizona Nationals with Jon Capps behind the wheel to shake it down and then Winefsky made his final licensing passes on the following Monday. The team worked on a few things and then went right into competition in Las Vegas.
“The fact that we were able to get my two runs in for my licensing in Arizona, and then a week and a half later we were racing in Las Vegas was a big accomplishment,” said Winefsky. “Since then, things have calmed down a bit, and we’re now ready for Seattle. Everyone in the Funny Car class was great. Ron Capps and Dean Antonelli, they've been a big help with getting parts and everything. Dell Worsham has been great. The guys over at JFR, they've been a great help getting all the little parts and pieces for the chassis. Everyone's been really welcoming.”
The support from veteran driver and crew chief Del Worsham has been a huge plus for Winefsky. The multi-time world champion driver has provided insight, and their relationship goes back to Winefsky’s days of racing junior dragsters alongside Worsham’s daughters.
“It was really cool having Del sign off on my license,” said Winefsky. “We used to race juniors when his kids raced juniors. I've known Del for a long time. He's always been a great guy to talk to about anything. And if you have any questions, he's always happy to answer them. Just a great guy to have in your corner.”
The Winefsky Racing team is a family operation much like Worsham’s and like so many independent teams on the NHRA tour. Dylan is following in his father, Robert’s, tire treads and the team gets assistance from several friends who have become like family over the years.
“It's really cool to be doing this with my dad and other longtime crew guys,” said Winefsky. “One of our crew guys, Bill, he's like an uncle to me. He was there when I made my first run in my junior dragster, about 10 years ago. He's like family. Everyone on our crew has helped us at some point with the old car.”
This weekend at the Muckleshoot Northwest Nationals Winefsky will have four shots at making the 16-car qualified field. All the Funny Car and Top Fuel teams will participate in the Friday night qualifying session and race for the Deecell Power Systems “After Dark Low Qualifier” bonus.
The bonus money will go to the low qualifiers with the low qualifier in Top Fuel and Funny Car earning $4,000 each. On Saturday the Nitro Moose Funny Car team will have three qualifying runs to prepare for Sunday’s elimination rounds.
Prior to the two days of qualifying Seattle area fans will be able to meet Winefsky along with several other competitors on Thursday night at the NHRA FanFest presented by Explore Auburn. For the third consecutive year on Thursday, July 17, an impressive NHRA driver lineup will officially kick off the race weekend. The event takes place from 5-7 p.m. PT on Thursday, July 17, in front of Dave & Buster’s at The Outlet Collection (1101 Outlet Collection Dr. SW, Auburn, WA 98001), with autographs and a meet and greet with NHRA standouts taking place from 6-7 p.m.
For more information on Dylan Winefsky visit https://dylanwinefsky.com/ and for tickets to the Muckleshoot Casino Resort Northwest Nationals visit https://www.nhra.com/nhra.
Photo: Werner Communications / Nitro Moose Racing
