The excitement of 330-plus mph dragsters with nitro bellowing out into the open air is just around the corner as the NHRA Gatornationals from Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway kicks off the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season this weekend.
Prior to the Gatornationals, a blossoming event takes place approximately an hour south in Ocala, Fla., on Wednesday evening — Gatornationals FanFest.
Held at Burnyzz Speed Shop, which is owned by current Top Fuel driver Josh Hart and his wife Brittanie, the event began three years ago as an experiment alongside their typical car show held at the shop.
“It was my wife, Brittanie,” Hart explained. “We’ve always done a car show.
“We never aligned it with anything NHRA related. She said, ‘Why don’t we see if we can get some drivers to sign some autographs and come down and we’ll wine and dine them and see what happens.’
“It just took off like fire.”
Entering its third year, Wednesday’s event is expected to draw more than 40 NHRA drivers, with fans able to meet their favorite drivers and experience a state-of-the-art ambience.
With eight food trucks, a car show, balloon animals, face painting and a live band, the event has become a staple in kicking off the NHRA season.
“I think it’s great for the community,” Hart said. “I think it’s even better for NHRA and for my company, Burnyzz, to align like this. But overall, it’s just an awesome way to prove, yet again, that NHRA is better than any other professional sport.
“Where else can you get that up close and personal to 40-plus drivers? It’s a good environment for your kids, and just enjoy the evening.”
The impact of the event reaches not just NHRA fans, but also the community of Ocala.
“The local Ocala community really looks forward to this event,” Brittanie Hart said. “People reach out to us in advance, confirming we’re still putting it on.
“Big events like this are what local communities need. Just a good gathering of people, something to look forward to, and something to have fun at in a safe environment.”
As FanFest has thrived, more opportunities have arose as Citizens First Bank has become the event’s first sponsor.
Perhaps the most unique element to FanFest is all the proceeds go to a charity of the Harts choosing.
“We have a different charity this year,” Brittanie Hart explained. “We try to choose a different one each year that we put on this event. So all funds we raise will be donated to EARS, a local endangered animal sanctuary.”
Something noteworthy that fans should be prepared to witness during the evening — Josh Hart is set to put one of his hobbies on full display, drumming.
“I tell everybody, the only thing I’ve been sure about my whole life was was drums and fast cars,” Hart said. “A long time ago, I figured the drums ship had sailed. So let’s start playing with fast cars. That seems to have paid dividends.
“But, everybody’s curious about the drum hobby. So yeah, I would definitely call it just a hobby at this point.”
