Hodgson Racing Breaks Through in Phoenix
After months of adversity, relentless work, and a cross-country grind, Ryan Hodgson’s team finally stood in the winner’s circle at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, capturing victory in the highly competitive Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car category with driver Nathan Sitko at the wheel.
The win wasn’t just another trophy, it was the culmination of resilience, precision, and a team firing on all cylinders.
The team celebrating in the winner’s circle.
From Bakersfield Setback to Phoenix Breakthrough
The road to Phoenix was anything but smooth.
At Bakersfield, where a stacked field of roughly 18–20 Nostalgia Funny Cars competed, Hodgson Racing showed early promise before disaster struck. A bad batch of oil led to a catastrophic engine failure on their very first test pass.
Despite the setback, the team clawed their way back. Borrowing parts from fellow competitors and working relentlessly in the pits, they qualified mid-pack and charged all the way to the final round, falling short by just 0.003 seconds.
That performance set the tone.
Phoenix: Smaller Field, Bigger Stakes
In Phoenix, the field tightened to 11 cars, but the competition remained fierce.
With only two qualifying sessions and a quick 8-car elimination ladder (8–4–2), there was no room for error.
To make matters tougher, teams battled extreme desert conditions:
• 107°F (42°C) ambient temperatures
• 140°F track surface at the starting line
Managing both performance and driver focus became critical.
Sitko, guided by a crew chief who is himself a former driver, relied heavily on visualization and discipline to stay sharp in the heat.
A Near-Record Performance
When it mattered most, Hodgson Racing delivered.
In the final round, Sitko laid down a 4.71-second pass at 241 mph, a blistering run that came just six hundredths of a second off the team’s own world record of 4.65 seconds, set in Pomona in 2024.
Notably, the final ended up being a single pass after the opposing car failed to start. On the other hand, the Hodgson crew executed flawlessly, ensuring the car made a clean, competitive run regardless.
Sitko staging for his single pass.
Built on Experience and Chemistry
This victory is the product of years of continuity and trust.
• Ryan Hodgson and co-crew chief Devon George have worked together for 25 years
• Key crew members like Jay Wood and Aaron Devon have been with the team for over 15 years
• The operation runs with a tight-knit crew of experienced specialists
Their car is equally dialed-in:
• Chassis: Victory Race Cars
• Body: 1968 Firebird (FC Fabrications)
• Engine program: Backed by top-tier components including CP-Carrillo and Jesel valvetrain systems
Supported by partners such as Ace Racing, Lordco, Mobil 1, and Rad Torque Raceway, the program reflects a professional-level effort in a nostalgia category that continues to grow in competitiveness.
A Legacy in the Making
Driver Nathan Sitko carries deep roots in Canadian drag racing, with both his father and grandfather inducted into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
Now, alongside Hodgson, he represents the next generation.
Since last season, the team has reached the final round in nearly every event they’ve entered, missing the finals only twice in the past year.
Relentless Work Ethic Pays Off
From freezing Alberta winters (-20°C) to scorching Arizona heat (40°C+), Hodgson Racing has endured every condition imaginable in pursuit of performance.
Their Phoenix victory was a testament to that commitment.
First to arrive at the track.
Last to leave.
And now, finally back in the winner’s circle.
What’s Next?
The team now turns its focus to the next major event: the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, where they previously set the category benchmark.
With momentum on their side and a proven package underneath them, Hodgson Racing is no longer chasing success, they’re setting the standard.
