DALLAS — Top Fuel tuner Mike Guger will take the reins as Buddy Hull’s full-time crew chief this season.
Hull plans to race at least eight races in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, with his first coming at the Arizona Nationals in March.
“Adding someone like Mike Guger to the team is a dream come true,” said Hull. “He has so much experience and has worked with so many great drivers, I honestly pinched myself after he said yes to working with our team. We are building a solid foundation to move forward and Mike along with David Shaff, our car chief.
“They will be a great one-two punch. David joined our team over a year ago and has shown great leadership from the beginning as well as a great work ethic. I can’t wait to get to Phoenix and see what we can do.”
Guger, who learned the basics of drag racing under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Dale Armstrong, was crew chief first to Larry Dixon and then to Leah Pruett when they drove Top Fuel dragsters for Bob Vandergriff Jr. in 2015-’16.
“I am excited to get back to leading a Top Fuel team,” Guger said. “I was really impressed with the parts Buddy has as well as his attitude and goals. I have known David for a while and he helped me with my Funny Car. He is a great worker and I am really comfortable with him. Buddy has given me free reign and I think we will work very well together. I have been trying to stay on top of the sport. I haven’t been hands on day to day but I will be honest, I make an effort every day to think about racing. I stay in touch with a lot of the current crew chiefs, and I think with Buddy’s inventory and his team we can have some fun and turn some heads.”
He began a lengthy association with Armstrong when he was just 13, eventually working his way into a position as Armstrong’s crew facilitator when he and Hall of Famer Kenny Bernstein dominated the pro tour in Funny Car and later in Top Fuel.
“What I learned from Dale was just a work ethic,” Guger said, “how to conduct yourself; how to tune the car. I have been fortunate to work with great people throughout my career. I want to especially thank Robert Mills for giving me the flexibility to work with Buddy and his team.”
Additionally, long-time Buddy Hull Racing crew member Shaff has been promoted to car chief for the 2023 season and beyond. Shaff joined Buddy Hull Racing last January. Hull will continue to work with Tim Wilkerson in the transition and Wilkerson will continue to manage the machine work on Hull’s blocks and heads.
“I can’t thank Tim Wilkerson enough for all the support he has shown me since I started driving and also well before that,” said Hull. “I have known Tim all my life and his support and guidance has been so critical and helpful to me as a driver, team owner and a person. He is one of the greatest guys I know.”