In many ways, Joe C. Maynard has been preparing to drive an A/Fuel Dragster for much of his adult life, and at the upcoming Division 2 event at Gainesville Raceway, better known as the “Baby Gators,” he will have his first shot at an NHRA Wally trophy when he makes his drag racing debut in the competitive Top Alcohol Dragster category.
While the event, which kicks off Thursday, Feb. 29, will mark the first time Maynard has staged a 4,000-horsepower machine in competition, prior seat time and life experiences have the NHRA newbie feeling well-prepped for his new drag racing venture.
“Making my NHRA debut is something I’ve been thinking about for a while,” said Maynard, who will drive the JCM Racing/Leatherwood Distillery A/Fuel Dragster throughout his 2024 rookie campaign. “I’ve always loved racing and fast cars, and being out at the track these past few years has really got the competitive juices flowing.”
Before becoming involved in NHRA Drag Racing with his family in 2021, Maynard, son of JCM Racing team patriarch Joe E. Maynard, served as a member of the U.S. Army for 20 years. The former Chief Warrant Officer Four did eight combat tours where he manned the controls of various military helicopters, performing combat maneuvers as a Black Hawk pilot. His exceptional aviation skills led to his being promoted to an instructor pilot role in addition to receiving multiple air medals throughout his time spent in service. Maynard’s extensive military training has provided him with the innate ability to quickly assess and react to high-pressure situations, a skill that will undoubtedly come in handy while behind the wheel of a machine that regularly exceeds speeds of 275-mph.
NHRA Funny Car racer Chad Green was on-site at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October 2023 to sign off on Maynard’s Top Alcohol Dragster license.
“I can’t wait to get out there and compete,” Maynard added. “To be able to run a full season and have the opportunity to compete for a championship in my first year is unbelievable. Since I retired from the military, I haven’t been able to really compete, and this is a different type of competition. That being said, I’m not naïve to think that I don’t need as much seat time as possible at this point. I am a true rookie in every sense when it comes to driving an A/Fuel car, but I do believe that having spent so many years operating in some of the most extreme, tense situations has trained me to…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at DragzineDragzine…