With the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season just 15 days away, Doug Foley revealed a significant change in his team’s lineup. After recently bringing Ron Douglas on board as a consultant to improve his Top Fuel team’s performance, Foley announced on Wednesday that he will step out of the driver’s seat and hand over driving duties to experienced crew member Gary Pritchett, transitioning immediately to focus solely on his role as team owner.
Motivations Behind Foley’s Shift from Driver to Team Owner
Foley explained the reasoning behind this decision, stating,
“We are going to do a driver swap in 2026,”
and added,
“I am going to get out of the seat. I just felt like we could be better all the way around, and I kind of wanted to focus more on just taking the team to another level. So, I decided to get out of the seat. I just didn’t feel like our team was at the level it could be, and that’s my goal to fix that.”
This move allows Foley, a veteran Top Fuel driver and long-time co-owner with the late Tim Lewis, to concentrate on elevating the team’s competitive edge and business operations.
Gary Pritchett’s New Role as Driver for Doug Foley Racing
The team’s new driver, Gary Pritchett, brings a wealth of experience as a former Top Alcohol Dragster competitor and longtime crew member with the renowned Torrence Racing team. Expressing his enthusiasm, Pritchett said,
“I feel like all the stars are kind of aligning and [am] really excited for the opportunity. It feels like I got the opportunity I’ve been waiting on my whole life.”
This change also reconnects Pritchett with crew chief Doug Kuch, who played an important role in his career development. Pritchett reflected,
“Doug Kuch actually got me my Top Fuel license back in 2015, in Charlotte,”
describing the collaboration as “coming full circle.”
Doug Foley Racing’s Plans for the Upcoming Season and Beyond
Looking ahead, Doug Foley Racing plans to compete in a hybrid schedule combining NHRA and IHRA events throughout 2026. Foley emphasized that this approach offers valuable chances for growth and helps maintain a competitive presence across both sanctioning bodies. This transition marks an important phase where Foley’s focus shifts toward enhancing the organization’s performance and market position.
Legacy and Perspectives in Drag Racing Journalism
Notably, Susan Wade, a respected drag-racing writer with nearly three decades of experience, has highlighted the human stories behind the sport. A Seattle resident for 40 years and an Indianapolis native, Wade has earned recognition such as the Russ Catlin Award, notable for being the first recipient outside of NASCAR. She has reported for major publications including the Chicago Tribune, Newark Star-Ledger, and Seattle Times, and has contributed to Autoweek since 2016.
