The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season begins this weekend at the annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Floridas Gainesville Raceway.

Reigning Funny Car champion Austin Prock leads the way in the category with John Force Racing as he looks to continue his winning edge that burst onto the circuit last year.

There was plenty of movement during the offseason, which led to there being some new faces in new places.

Heres a look at each team in Funny Car and whos driving for them full time this season:

John Force Racing 

• Austin Prock (Cornwell Tools Chevrolet)

Prock returns to the same car his father and brother (Jimmy and Thomas Prock) tuned to a whopping eight victories in 20 races last season. He also snagged a record-breaking 15 No. 1 qualifiers along the way.

Hell be the odds-on favorite once again until proven otherwise.

• Jack Beckman (Peak Chevrolet)

In place of a recovering John Force for the full season is 2012 champion Jack Beckman. In eight events last year, Beckman scored two victories, including the season finale at the NHRA World Finals in Pomona, Calif.

Beckman wheeled his Peak Chevrolet to a runner-up finish in the standings with the addition of Forces points from previous races. With a full season to challenge for a title, Beckman may be Procks biggest threat.

Tasca Racing

• Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/QuickLane Ford)

On the strength of three victories, Bob Tasca III again is a threat for a title aboard his own Funny Car.

The driver who traveled better than 341 mph during last years PRO Superstar Shootout is still searching for his first title. Tasca finished fifth in standings last year.

SCAG Racing

• Daniel Wilkerson (SCAG Power Equipment Ford)

In his first full-time NHRA season after countless years of waiting, Daniel Wilkerson showed plenty of promise last season.

Finishing seventh in the standings, Wilkerson had one final round appearance during the Four-Wide Nationals In Charlotte, N.C.

Now with a full season under his belt and countless support from SCAG Power Equipment, Wilkerson may be a threat for more consistency this season.

• Dave Richards (Bluebird Turf Ford)

Under the SCAG Racing banner, Dave Richards embarked on his first full season of NHRA Funny Car competition in 2024.

While he was unable to reach the finals in an event , consistency may be in Richards favor this year as the team was able to move its operations to Indianapolis and build race cars brand new to his liking.

Thats something Richards didnt have the luxury of last year.

Kalitta Motorsports 

• J.R. Todd (DHL Toyota)

Aside from his victory at the Gatornationals, 2024 was a tumultuous season for J.R. Todd. Three #2Fast2Tasty Challenge wins were a highlight, however, he finished eighth in the standings.

There may be positive change on the horizon for Todd this year as former championship-winning crew chief Dickie Venables joined the Kalitta operation during the offseason from Tony Stewart Racing.

Chad Green Motorsports

• Chad Green (Bond-Coat, Inc. Ford)

Two semifinal appearances were at the top of Chad Greens highlights last season. Green also finished ninth in the standings, a drop-off of his placement of fifth in 2023.

However, expect Green to contend as he has plenty of firepower alongside him with the additions of Blake Alexander and part-time driver Hunter Green, Chads son.

• Blake Alexander (Pronto/Schaeffler Ford)

Chad Greens team as a whole may be in for a step-up in performance as it welcomes one of the series top stars in Blake Alexander. The 36-year-old joins CGM after competing with Jim Head Racing.

Often known to be a dark-horse threat, Alexander snagged a win in Brainerd (Minn.) Intl Raceway last August.

Tony Stewart Racing

• Matt Hagan (DodgeSRT/Direct Connection Dodge) 

On the strength of three victories and a monumental 50th career win earlier in the year, Matt Hagan is looking for perhaps a bounce-back season.

Hagan finished 2024 fourth in the standings, however, stated in November that the team rested on our laurels, coming off a title in 2023.

With a full offseason to reset and retune, expect Hagan and TSR to push JFR mightily throughout the season.

Ron Capps Motorsports

• Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)

Three-time Funny Car champion Ron Capps had a bit of an odd season. The team elected to fine-tune and look at the big picture during the season, which set them back prior to the Countdown.

However, he and tuner Dean Guido Antonelli found a rhythm as they reached the final round three times between the late summer and fall. While they were unable to win, this year may be different.

The team made an early statement during Februarys PRO Superstar Shootout after taking down the Funny Car field en route to victory.

Cruz Pedregon Racing

• Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Dodge)

Two-time Funny Car champion Cruz Peregon continues his storied career racing for himself in this years title chase.

While his winless streak stands at over two years, Pedregons consistent advancement into the quarterfinals in seven events last year may be a sign of new life entering this season.

He finished 10th in the standings.

Paul Lee Racing

• Paul Lee (McLeod/FTI/SST Dodge)

Paul Lee is another x-factor in the Funny Car field that can play spoiler any given weekend. Last season, Lee reached his first of two final round appearances in the division at the Seattles Pacific Raceways.

Hed later return to the finals in Las Vegas. Lee also scored a victory in the All-Star Callout at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

With another year under his belt, Lee may be in for a breakthrough victory this year.

JCM Racing

• Alexis DeJoria (Bandero Café Dodge)

Longtime NHRA Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria embarks on a new adventure as she joined JCM Racing full time for this season.

She joins Ida Zetterström (Top Fuel) to make up NHRAs first all-female driver lineup. DeJoria previously competed for Del Worsham and DC Motorsports for four seasons.

While its admittedly been a struggle for DeJoria the past handful of seasons, she may be in for a resurgence with a fresh slate.

Jim Dunn Racing

• Buddy Hull (Jim Dunn Racing/Lesecure Dodge)

In his first full-time actin last year, Buddy Hull made significant strides with Jim Dunn Racing.

Throughout the 2024 campaign were plenty of milestones, including his first quarterfinal appearance at the U.S. Nationals. Hell look to improve on a career-best speed of 320.51 mph and ET (4.01) this year.

Jim Head Racing

• Spencer Hyde (Head Inc. Ford)

After a stellar Pro Mod career, Spencer Hyde got the call to contest the full NHRA season with Jim Head during the offseason.

Hyde won the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod in 2023 and most recently competed with PDRA.

While hell face a steep learning curve, Heads often eye-popping speed tuning may be put on display again this year sooner rather than later.

Other Notables

• Bobby Bode III (Bobby Bode Racing, DC Motorsports)

22-year-old Bobby Bode III will have quite the opportunity this season in limited action as hell compete with DC Motorsports for at least the Gatornationals.

Bode also competed with the team at the Superstar Shootout in Bradenton, Fla.

• Terry Haddock (Terry Haddock Racing)

In 10 events last season, Terry Haddock qualified for seven events. Among the highlights was a quarterfinal appearance at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.