Josh Hart Bio
Josh Hart is an American race car driver and entrepreneur born September 16, 1983. He is the founder of Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala, Florida. Hart drives in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, currently competing in the Top Fuel division for John Force Racing. He began his NHRA career in 2011 and has achieved multiple race victories across different categories. Hart is also known for his business ventures and community involvement alongside his racing career.
Early Life and Background
Josh Hart was born in Huntington, Indiana, and developed an interest in motorsports from an early age. He moved to Ocala, Florida, in 2010 with his wife Brittanie to establish their business and pursue racing opportunities. Hart has credited several mentors for his development including Richard Clark, Andy Ackerman, Dennis Hendershot, and Big Daddy Don Garlits. These influences helped shape his approach to drag racing competition.
In 2010, Hart and his wife founded Burnyzz Speed Shop, which became a central part of their professional and personal lives. The business underwent significant expansion in 2021, growing to over 100,000 square feet as a full-service auto center. This facility would later serve as a foundation for his racing operations and sponsor relationships. The success of Burnyzz enabled Hart to pursue higher levels of competition within the NHRA structure.
Path to NASCAR
Hart’s motorsport journey began in NHRA drag racing rather than NASCAR competition. He started in NHRA sportsman categories in 2011, gradually advancing through the racing ladder system. Hart earned his Top Alcohol Dragster license in 2015, which marked a significant step toward professional competition. His early years involved racing various sportsman vehicles while building experience and establishing relationships within the drag racing community.
The progression from sportsman to professional ranks required dedication and consistent performance. Hart’s development years culminated with regional championship success before moving to the Top Fuel category. His path demonstrates the NHRA’s structured approach to driver development, where success at lower levels creates opportunities for advancement. Unlike traditional NASCAR pathways through touring series, Hart’s route to national competition followed the drag racing progression system.
Josh Hart Career
Early Career (2011-2020)
Hart began his NHRA career in 2011 competing in sportsman categories while developing his skills as a drag racer. After earning his Top Alcohol Dragster license in 2015, he quickly established himself as a competitive driver in the division. Between 2017 and 2019, Hart won three NHRA National event titles and eight NHRA regional TAD races. His success peaked in 2017 when he captured the NHRA Lucas Oil East Region Top Alcohol Dragster Points Championship.
Hart’s achievements in Top Alcohol Dragster included back-to-back victories at the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals in 2018 and 2019. He finished his Top Alcohol Dragster career in 2020 with a best time of 5.12 seconds at 283 mph. That same year, Hart earned his Top Fuel license and made the decision to start his own race team. This transition marked the beginning of his professional career in NHRA’s premier drag racing division.
NHRA Top Fuel Breakthrough (2021-2024)
Hart moved to the professional Top Fuel class in 2021, driving for his own Josh Hart Racing team. In his first professional Top Fuel race, he won the 2021 NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. This victory in his debut race at the Top Fuel level was an exceptional accomplishment for a rookie driver. Later that year at the NHRA Carolina Nationals, Hart captured his second win of the season. He finished his rookie season 11th in points and made crew chief Ron Douglas a partner in the race team.
The 2022 season saw Hart earn a runner-up finish at the NHRA Summit Equipment Nationals and achieve a career-best seventh place in the final points standings. In 2023, he started the season by winning the Pep Boys All-Star Callout at his hometown track in Gainesville, Florida. Hart continued qualifying for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship in 2024. Following the 2024 season, he announced the addition of Jason McCulloch as a co-crew chief to strengthen his team’s technical capabilities.
Josh Hart Racing Era (2021-2025)
Hart founded and operated his own team, Josh Hart Racing, from 2021 through 2025. The team was based in Brownsburg, Indiana, just outside Indianapolis, placing it near the heart of NHRA racing operations. This period allowed Hart to build his team culture and establish sponsor relationships that supported his racing efforts. His ownership approach emphasized partnership with crew chiefs and technical staff to develop competitive performance.
The 2025 season began with a fresh reset for Hart and his team, including a runner-up finish at the PRO Superstart Shootout. At the season opening NHRA Gatornationals, he made his debut in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series. However, significant business changes were on the horizon for the organization. In September 2025, it was announced that Elite Motorsports had purchased Josh Hart Racing in a $5 million deal, effective for the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hart has demonstrated particular strength on his home track in Gainesville, Florida, where he has secured several notable victories. His progression through NHRA’s developmental series provided a solid foundation in race craft and vehicle setup. Working closely with crew chiefs including Ron Douglas and Jason McCulloch, Hart has developed a methodical approach to tuning and race strategy. His business background has translated to a disciplined, professional approach to racing operations and sponsor relationships.
Notable Races and Milestones
The 2021 NHRA Gatornationals stands as Hart’s signature victory, marking his Top Fuel debut win. His back-to-back U.S. Nationals victories in 2018 and 2019 in Top Alcohol Dragster established his ability to perform at the sport’s highest levels. The Pep Boys All-Star Callout victory in 2023 at Gainesville demonstrated his continued competitiveness. Each milestone victory has contributed to Hart’s reputation as a driver capable of delivering results on the sport’s biggest stages.
Josh Hart Career Wins
Josh Hart has accumulated significant victories across his NHRA career spanning multiple racing divisions. His wins include championships at both the regional and national levels. Hart’s success demonstrates his ability to compete successfully across different categories of drag racing competition.
NHRA Top Fuel Highlights
Hart secured his first Top Fuel victory in his debut race at the 2021 NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. He followed this with a second win later that season at the NHRA Carolina Nationals. His rookie season performance established him as a competitive force in the Top Fuel division. Hart continued his success with a notable victory at the 2023 Pep Boys All-Star Callout.
Other Wins & Performances
In Top Alcohol Dragster competition, Hart achieved remarkable success including three NHRA National event titles. His most significant accomplishments were consecutive victories at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in 2018 and 2019. The 2017 season culminated with Hart winning the NHRA Lucas Oil East Region Top Alcohol Dragster Points Championship. These regional and national victories in TAD competition provided the foundation for his advancement to professional Top Fuel racing.
Josh Hart Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hart married Brittanie, and together they have built both their family and business ventures. The couple established Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala, Florida, creating a foundation for their professional lives. Hart has spoken about the importance of family support throughout his racing career. Their shared commitment to both business and motorsport has created unique opportunities for success.
Personal Life
Josh and Brittanie Hart have two children. Their daughter, Helen Hart, was born in 2019, and their son, Banks Hart, joined the family through adoption in 2023. The Hart family has remained connected to their roots in Huntington, Indiana, contributing time, money and equipment to organizations in the community. They have also hosted community events at their Burnyzz shop in Ocala, demonstrating their commitment to giving back to the communities that have supported their success.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a transitional year for Hart and his racing operation. He started the season with a strong showing, including a runner-up finish at the PRO Superstart Shootout. At the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals, Hart expanded his competition by making his debut in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series. This expansion demonstrates his versatility across different drag racing formats.
As the season progressed, Hart faced significant changes to his team structure. The announcement that Elite Motorsports would acquire Josh Hart Racing for the 2026 season created a new context for his racing future. Despite these changes, Hart maintained focus on competitive performance throughout the 2025 season. His team dynamics evolved with the addition of new personnel and the anticipation of organizational changes heading into the next racing year.
