Leah Pritchett will continue to compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, driving the Nitro Ninja Top Fuel dragster owned by the Lagana family at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods this weekend in Charlotte. The dragster will be primarily sponsored by FireAde 2000, with associate backing from Boninfante Friction and Aerodine Composites Group.



Until last week, Pritchett was driving for Bob Vandergriff Racing and won her first NHRA Top Fuel Wally at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Phoenix in February. Last Monday, team owner Bob Vandergriff Jr. shocked the drag racing community when he announced his immediate retirement, leaving Pritchett to explore new opportunities with other teams.



“It has been a whirlwind of a week, but continuation of my pursuit to compete in Top Fuel has been made possible by FireAde 2000, with joint efforts of longtime partners Boninfante Friction, Aerodine Composites, and of course the Lagana family,” said Pritchett. “Having partners able to come in clutch at the last moment enables me to enter one more race at this time and will help me stay relevant in the NHRA Mello Yello Series championship point standings. This will also buy me a bit more time to work on sufficient funding for the rest of the season to compete with a readily available team.”



Pritchett began her partnership with FireAde 2000 when it signed on to be a multi-race sponsor of Pritchett’s BVR dragster for 2016. Although circumstances have changed, the manufacturer of innovative and environmentally friendly firefighting, tank-cleaning, and dust-control products has stepped up to support Pritchett for this unique NHRA event.

Ron Thames, CEO and founder of FireAde, is also excited about this weekend, stating, "In a short time, Leah has proved to be an incredible ambassador for our company, on and off the track, and we are pleased to be able to continue our partnership with her and support her efforts during this time."

Pritchett is grateful for the opportunity to race this weekend in Charlotte and not let down her many fans who have supported her at a track that has delivered multiple Wallys in Pro Mod and numerous round-wins in Top Fuel.



“Beyond working alongside and being close friends with the Laganas, I feel fortunate to bring the proper resources to their operation to compete at this event,” she said. “Experiencing this portion of my journey with people I know, respect, and trust makes this quick turnaround of a time that much more rewarding. I will even have a couple of my former crewmembers from my BVR dragster driving down and working on the car with me this weekend.”

Although the Nitro Ninja team competes on a limited NHRA schedule, the FireAde-backed Top Fuel entry, with John Stewart as crew chief, has a proven track record of being a quick and consistent contender. Ironically, Pritchett will be driving the same dragster against which she competed in the first round two weeks ago at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, where nitro newcomer Tripp Tatum drove it.



More on Leah Pritchett:



Pritchett relives her breakthrough first Top Fuel win earlier this season in Phoenix.

Pritchett talks about her introduction to NHRA drag racing.