Jim Dunn Racing: A Family Tradition That Endures

As the NHRA celebrates 75 years in 2026, so much about the sport has changed over that time. Names, faces, speeds, classes, parts, rules, and countless other things have evolved in ways that would be too numerous to mention.

One thing that has not changed is "Big" Jim Dunn leading his Funny Car team.

Year after year, season after season, Funny Car Summer after Funny Car Summer, Jim and his family continue to show unmatched perseverance and persistence. More than halfway through another season, co-crew chief Jon Dunn, Jim's son, says the team is still here because of one simple thing: passion and a love for the sport.

For the Dunn family, drag racing has defined not only Jim Dunn's life, but much of their family's lives as well.

“It’s definitely passion. We love it, you know, my dad [Jim Dunn] loves it, I love it, you know? Years ago, my dad was telling me how much he liked it, and I just worked hard for him. Then, there were times in my life when I was working really hard, and my dad came to me and he said, ‘you know what, you finally love it as much as I do.’

“With us together, the two of us, and my mom of course, my mom is right there alongside us every step of the way, my daughter—she’s part of it too. It’s a family thing, and we just enjoy that part of it.”

Make no mistake, though. While the team carries on because of that passion, they also still love the competition.

Jon says one lesson his father has always preached is that, when it's time to race, everyone's on equal ground.

“We enjoy the competition and probably one of the really big things is my dad always said, ‘When you go to the starting line, it doesn’t matter how many motors are in the trailer, how big your trailer is, how big your shop is, because when you go up there—you have one car, you have one motor, and you’re just racing the guy next to you.’”

After starting the season with Todd Lesenko behind the wheel, the team brought in veteran driver Jeff Arend. The original plan was for Arend to compete in three races, but Jon confirmed that he will now remain in the seat for the rest of the season.

He also said Arend has fit in perfectly with both the team and its sponsors.

“It started off for three races, he had to clear some stuff off his schedule. We had to make sure it worked for us, and we talked to some of our sponsors, and they were all on board. Jeff was definitely on board; we’ve been friends for a long time.

“I’m very thankful that he was available when we needed him. In the middle of a race, he jumped in the seat and got the job done for us, and I thoroughly enjoy racing with Jeff; he’s part of our family as well.”

Jon Dunn with the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car

 

Some have openly wondered in recent years how involved Jim is with the team's decisions and direction. Jon quickly made it clear that, even at 92 years old, it is still very much Jim Dunn's team.

"100%. At 92 years old, he surprises me. How much he stays in tune with this car and everything we do—from start to finish, he’s right on it.”

Just as he has countless times before, Jim Dunn will lead Jeff Arend into Funny Car eliminations Sunday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Norwalk Nationals. The team will take on Austin Prock and Tasca Racing in the opening round, with eliminations scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.

(Photo Credits: Loganity Media/Peyton Lohr)