Doug Foley’s Foley Lewis Racing team has announced that experienced nitro crew chief Ron Douglas will join as a consultant for the 2026 NHRA season. This key addition comes ahead of the season opener at Gainesville Raceway during the NHRA Gatornationals, marking a significant effort in what Foley terms a “rebuilding year” for the Top Fuel team. Douglas brings his extensive background managing championship-level teams in both Top Fuel and Funny Car categories to support the team’s technical and strategic ambitions.
Douglas’s Impact on Team Dynamics and Technical Support
Ron Douglas will complement the work of veteran crew chief Doug Kuch, who has a long history with Doug Foley, including involvement early in Foley’s Top Fuel career and a recent return at the end of the 2023 season. Their combined expertise aims to inject fresh perspectives and hands-on guidance crucial to refining the race team’s performance.
“I’ve always admired what Ron has accomplished in his career,”
Foley stated.
“We’ve always been looking for somebody who could come in and put their eyes on the computer and their hands on the parts and see something through a different lens. We were fortunate that Ron was available. He’s a little bit different than some of the other crew chiefs in that he’s very hands-on. That’s only going to enhance what happens under the awning here and help the team continue to get better at what they do.”
Challenges and Setbacks from the 2025 Season
The timing of Douglas’s integration is critical, as Foley Lewis Racing seeks to recover from a difficult 2025 season. The team faced considerable adversity following the early-year loss of co-owner Tim Lewis, compounded by a damaging crash near season’s end. These challenges disrupted momentum and tested the team’s resolve going into the new year.
“I really felt like we were getting there over the last couple of years, and I felt like we may have taken a step back in 2025,”
Foley reflected.
“There were opportunities that were missed. I don’t feel like I drove even close to my best, and it was a tough year overall. It started with losing Tim and never got better. This year is a fresh beginning. We’re going to put our heads down, focus on what our new goals are, and forget about 2025.”
Strategic Approach to the 2026 Season
In 2026, Foley plans a selective race schedule starting with the NHRA Gatornationals and including various NHRA national events alongside IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series races. Rather than overextending the team, the new approach emphasizes balancing competition with dedicated testing periods to build strength and address weaknesses.
“This year, we’re putting a bigger focus on quality over quantity,”
Foley shared.
“It’s difficult for smaller teams like ours to get quality runs in, so if we need to go testing instead of going to the next race, that’s what we’ll do. If we feel like we’re getting behind, we’re going to take a timeout and figure out where we’re weak and how we can get better. We’re looking at it as a rebuilding year.”
Continued Partnerships and Sponsorship Support
As Foley prepares his 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster for the Gatornationals and the season ahead, returning sponsor Authority Garage Supply Inc. will serve as the primary backer. Additional partners including United Garage Door Company, LiftMaster, C.H.I. Overhead Doors, Coble Enterprises, Red Line Oil, and The BAMR Company will also join in supporting the team’s efforts.
Significance of the Offseason Changes and Outlook
The infusion of Ron Douglas’s expertise represents a strategic move to strengthen Foley Lewis Racing’s technical foundation and competitive edge after a tough period that tested the team both emotionally and operationally. With a reinforced leadership dynamic and a tailored plan focused on measured progress, the team is positioned to regain momentum in the intense environment of NHRA and IHRA drag racing. The 2026 season will be a vital chapter as Foley Lewis Racing works to transform setbacks into renewed competitiveness, aiming to rise steadily through careful development and strategic racing decisions.
