IndyCar driver Nolan Siegel attended his first NHRA event on Saturday, witnessing firsthand the raw intensity of a Funny Car drag race. The 20-year-old racer was at the 19th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk as a guest of Funny Car driver Chris King.
Siegel’s presence trackside coincided with King’s run during one of four qualifying sessions. King, who balances his racing career with work as a firefighter and entrepreneur, shared footage of Siegel’s reaction after the explosive start on Instagram, capturing a rare moment of awe from the Arrow McLaren driver.
Immediate Reaction to the Thunderous Funny Car Launch
In the video shared by Chris King, Nolan Siegel is seen visibly startled as the Funny Car roars off the line. The overwhelming sound and speed caused Siegel to flinch and exclaim in disbelief. The intense blast of power marked a stark contrast to what Siegel is accustomed to in IndyCar.
“Oh sh*t,” he said, turning to the camera. “I don’t even know. That was insane.”
—Nolan Siegel, IndyCar driver
Siegel also documented the moment himself on his Instagram story, where he described the experience as nearly overpowering.
“Insane. So fast it almost knocked me over,” the 20-year-old wrote.
—Nolan Siegel, IndyCar driver
Despite King’s impressive effort, he was unable to secure a spot in the competition, turning in a qualifying time of 4.267 seconds at 249.72 mph, which fell short of the threshold to advance.
The Ongoing Speed Debate Between IndyCar and NHRA
This visit took place amid ongoing discussions about which motorsport truly holds the title of “fastest” on earth. Earlier in the year, Funny Car driver Bob Tasca publicly criticized FOX Sports for promoting IndyCar as the fastest racing series, dismissing their claims and defending drag racing’s unparalleled speed.
“I want to say it to the fans: I’m very disappointed with FOX Sports,” he said. “All winter I got to hear, ‘The fastest motorsports in the world.’ And I looked up and I didn’t see the PPG Mustang. And I didn’t see [Austin] Prock’s car. I saw an IndyCar. And the fact is that we are the fastest motorsport. I think it’s an insult to the drivers and the fans. And truthfully, I didn’t think Fox was the Fake News Network.”
—Bob Tasca, Funny Car driver
After a brief period of public debate, FOX Sports chose not to respond further, allowing the controversy to fade without official comment.
Changes in Siegel’s Race Strategy Ahead of Mid-Ohio
Looking ahead in Siegel’s IndyCar career, the Arrow McLaren driver will work with a new race strategist starting with the upcoming Midnight Ohio race. Kyle Moyer, who previously operated as Scott McLaughlin’s strategist at Team Penske, has joined Siegel’s camp following controversy involving the team after the Indy 500.
Speaking after the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, Siegel expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Moyer and the potential learning opportunity this presents.
“I’ve never met Kyle, but I’ll meet him this week, try and spend a lot of time with him, get to know him, and I’ve heard nothing but good things,” he told reporter Bob Pockrass. “Obviously, I’ve heard of him, known of him, and I’m very, very excited to get to work with him. That’s a huge pleasure and learning opportunity for me.”
—Nolan Siegel, IndyCar driver
The strategic shift adds a new dynamic, especially since Siegel and McLaughlin have clashed on track during events such as the Detroit Grand Prix and the Bommarito Automotive Group 500. Siegel’s outspoken criticism of Team Penske on his team radio after the latter race stirred notable controversy.
Current Performance and Standing in the 2024 Season
Despite the turbulence surrounding his rookie season, Siegel has shown moments of strong performance. Through nine races to date, he has achieved two Top 10 finishes and currently ranks 20th in the championship standings. With new strategic support, hopes remain high for improved results in the races ahead.