Jim Dunn Goes to Nostalgic look to pays tribute in Dallas

The theme for Jim Dunn Racing at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals is nostalgia. Before driver John Hale jumped behind the wheel of the Jim Dunn Racing Mopar Funny Car, he was a Nostalgia Funny Car champion, and he still races in this class when not competing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. At Hale’s hometown race in Dallas, the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car will be wrapped to look like Hale’s Nostalgia Funny Car: One Bad Texan.

“We wanted to celebrate racing with two special-edition cars: one in NHRA competition and one in Nostalgia, where John Hale got his start,” said Jim Dunn Racing Manager Jon Dunn. “We wanted to do this as a tribute to my dad, who will be grand marshal for the California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, coming up on Oct. 23-24. We are all really proud of him for receiving this honor.”

Hale will be doing double-driving duty at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. On top of his driving duties for Jim Dunn Racing, he will be behind the wheel of his Nostalgia Funny Car in an exhibition race against the Blue Max.

“The Texas Motorplex is a special place for me. I’ve always dreamed of running a Professional fuel car here, and to be running two cars this weekend is just awesome,” said Hale. “I want to thank the Dunn family for putting One Bad Texan on the Mopar Funny Car and Steve Schuck, who designed my Nostalgia Funny Car.”

There is an element of surprise this weekend. Hale will not be running his One Bad Texan scheme on his Nostalgia Funny Car but instead will have a new design to pay tribute to “Big Jim” Dunn. Fans will have to wait a few days to see what the car will look like; Hale is keeping the car under wraps until Friday morning.