Positive Momentum has Hunter Primed for NHRA Northwest Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

KENT, Wash. (August 5, 2015) – Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter is beaming with his usual pre-race optimism as he and the Synoil Energy Services team prepare for the NHRA Northwest Nationals. A recent test session in the team's native Canada has the Geoff Goodwin-owned team re-energized after a sizable break since their last event, a race they won as back-to-back champions.

“We had a pretty good test session in Edmonton after winning the Mission regional race. Testing was successful and gave us a lot of optimism. We're feeling good about Seattle,” said Hunter, a Northwest native.

The test session, held during the IHRA Nitro Jam Rocky Mountain Nationals, couldn't have happened at a better time, as it turned out. While the Synoil team was using the opportunity to gain more experience with Goodyear slicks, they also caught an unfortunate parts failure.

“We actually broke some parts at the test session, which is never good, but we were glad it happened then instead of during Seattle. We were so happy that we came out and had that happen then, because it would've been a real downer to suffer a parts failure at the Northwest Nationals. We broke the rear-end and the crew did just an amazing job. They changed it out in less than an hour. Everybody worked spectacularly together and I feel like we have some momentum. We had some issues but we got better with each run,” added the driver of the Synoil Energy Services/Exact Air Compliance Systems entry.

NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car competitors will begin qualifying at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, August 7-9, on Friday with sessions at 1:30 and 4:30 PM. Last chance qualifying is set for 12:30 PM on Saturday, followed up by first round of eliminations at 3:30 PM. Eliminations continue after first round of Professional competition, which begins at 11 AM Sunday morning.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team are returning for their second season together in 2015. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and Exact Air Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowler Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and CleanBoost Motor Oils.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

TA/FC Driver Greg Hunter Takes Back-to-Back Mission Regional Wins

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

MISSION, B.C. (June 10, 2015) – Northwest native Greg Hunter now has even more reason to like Mission Raceway, one of his local tracks. Hunter successfully defended his 2014 event championship at Mission's NHRA Lucas Oil Series regional race on Sunday.

Driving the Synoil Energy Services/Exact Air Top Alcohol Funny Car for Canadian drag racing legend Geoff Goodwin, Hunter qualified No. 2 with a 5.828 at 251 mph.

Even though the race had a short field, Hunter and the Synoil team approached the event with as much intensity as they would a stacked national event. An eagerness to get a second consecutive Mission win certainly played a part in the team's attitude.

“We were cautiously optimistic going into the race. We have had some issues at the last few races so we had a plan going in to correct them. We didn't think too much about experimenting in qualifying because we had an eye on the first-round bye run that comes with qualifying No. 1,” Hunter recalled.

Hunter and the Ryan Protz-tuned Synoil Racing machine stepped up for the first round of eliminations against Brian Hough, laying down a 5.706 at 256 mph to take the round win and low et of eliminations. A consistent 5.709 lap followed in the final round, allowing Hunter to take the event win over Shane Westerfield, who ran 5.754.

“We had an electrical gremlin that we worked out so we were super stoked to make two nearly identical runs in eliminations,” Hunter noted. “Brian and Shane are both excellent drivers with great cars so that really added to the excitement!”

The next event for Greg Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services Top Alcohol Funny Car team is the IHRA Nitro Jam Rocky Mountain Nationals, July 17-19, at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, AB.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team are returning for their second season together in 2015. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and Exact Air Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowler Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Mobil1.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Pre-Race Test Session Provides Confidence for Hunter and Synoil Racing Team

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of David Smith/PSA

LAS VEGAS (April 9, 2015) – Past Las Vegas semifinalist Greg Hunter returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for the SummitRacing.com Nationals. The driver of Canadian drag racing legend Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car reached the winner's circle on the regional level since last year's Vegas spring race, and is hoping to reach his first national event winner's circle this weekend.

Hunter, Goodwin and tuner Ryan Protz tested at The Strip at LVMS prior to the Vegas racing events, which continue next weekend with an NHRA Lucas Oil Series regional event.

“We've kind of been struggling for the last couple races and we feel that we figured out what our problem was and we're confident that we have it fixed. We did confirm that our problem is fixed but we didn't get to make a run to prove it. We're looking forward to getting on to a really good, well-prepared NHRA track surface. I feel that we're going to run really good this weekend,” confirmed Hunter, who spent two seasons in Top Alcohol Dragster before returning to TA/FC last year.

Las Vegas has been good to Hunter. It's where he earned his crossover license for TA/D and where he won his first round in the dragster. But it was last year's SummitRacing.com Nationals experience that Hunter and his Synoil Energy Services team will be thinking about as they pull up to the waterbox this weekend. The Wyoming driver qualified No. 2 and raced to the semifinals, where aggressive traction issues ended what would've been a good race with class veteran Jay Payne.

Greg Hunter and the Synoil Racing team have raced together at several events since then, learning more about the ever-changing track conditions and parts and equipment combinations.

“We definitely have learned that consistency is a key factor. We lost a little of that consistency but we're hoping to get that back this weekend, and actually quicker and faster, too. We think we have more power, but we've got to harness it,” Hunter noted.

Though they're regularly joined by legions of sponsors, friends and family, Greg and the Synoil Racing team are especially looking forward to hosting a large group of guests from the team's primary sponsor, Synoil Energy Services, a leading provider of proprietary and patented well servicing stimulation fluids.

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying action at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, April 10-12, begins on Friday with runs at noon and 3:15 PM. Qualifying continues with one session at 12:30 PM on Saturday, followed by first round of eliminations around 3 PM. Eliminations continue on Sunday. The race coverage will air on ESPN2 on April 19th at noon EST.


Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team are returning for their second season together in 2015. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and Exact Air Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowler Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Hampton's Oilfield Services, Mobil1, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and CleanBoost Oils.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Back at Pomona for Second Season with Synoil Racing

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of David Smith/PSA

POMONA, Calif. (February 4) – The annual return to sunny California for the Circle K NHRA Winternationals is always a special time for Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter. Not just because it's the first race of the season, but also because of the history of Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and the part it played in Hunter's racing career.

“Pomona to me is the birthplace of drag racing. It just has the great California drag racing vibe. When you go there you can feel it in the air. I just love it. If I could live near the race track I think I would, that's how much I love it there. Or maybe in between the race track and the beach,” Hunter jokes.

“The first national event I attended was the World Finals at Pomona 20 years ago. I came home and immediately decided I wanted to go racing so I started the following year. This is actually my 20th year racing.”

Hunter, now in his second year driving for Canadian drag racing legend Geoff Goodwin, scored his first regional event victory and reached a national event semifinal last year before suffering a couple tough breaks to finish the year. One of those tough losses was a wild first round pedalfest at the Finals at Pomona, so Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services/Exact Air team are looking for some redemption this weekend.

“We're feeling pretty confident. There have been some minor changes to the motor but outside of that we feel great. We felt we had a bad stretch near the end of the year where we missed it in qualifying but at the end I think we put it back together. A little unfortunate in the first round. We feel we could've had a good showing at the Finals. We want to continue on at the Winternationals, hopefully deep into eliminations on Sunday,” Hunter claimed.

The Synoil Racing team will be racing this weekend without Goodwin, who is at home recovering after breaking his leg over the winter.

“This is probably one of the first races that he has missed,” Hunter said. “Everybody will be thinking of him and wishing he was there. We're going to try to go out there and win it so we can bring home a Wally to help make our 'Chief' feel a little better.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 5-8, kicks off on Thursday at 3:30 PM. Additional sessions follow on Friday at 2:45 PM and Saturday at 10:45 AM. Eliminations begin at 2 PM on Saturday and continue Sunday afternoon.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team are returning for their second season together in 2015. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and Exact Air Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowler Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Mobil1.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Reflects on Successful First Season with Synoil Racing

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of David Smith/PSA

SHERIDAN, Wyo. (November 26, 2014) – The 2014 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season was a promising start for Greg Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services/Exact Air Top Alcohol Funny Car team. While both the driver and team had plenty of prior racing experience, the combo hadn't raced together before the start of the season. After developing a friendship over the past two seasons, team owner Geoff Goodwin, a Canadian drag racing icon, and Greg Hunter, driver of multiple blown alcohol machines for more than a decade, paired up in 2014 to make an attempt at winning national and regional events.

“I thought it was overall a successful season. Obviously we wanted to win every race we entered but we had more positives than negatives through the season,” Hunter claimed. “We got a win at the Mission regional race, which was awesome. We had some success on the national level, reaching the semifinals at the spring Las Vegas race. We struggled some during the middle of the season but we got the car back on track at Pomona, running a 5.61. Though that only put us 14th in that show, we were really confident that we were going to be in the fifties by the end of the race if we could've kept going.”

The Synoil Racing team was defeated first round at the season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona earlier this month when a series of typical mechanical issues plagued Hunter's run.

“Initially the car wouldn't start. Once we made it to the starting line, Ryan (Protz, crew chief) had to disconnect the crank trigger and plug it directly into the magneto, so basically we had no timing control. Then we would've been in the race to the end but the blower belt finally gave up on the third or fourth pedal job. That's definitely a part of racing. We can live with that. We know that we're heading in the right direction and we're looking forward to having a good year in 2015,” Hunter added.

Pre-season testing earlier this year was Hunter's first time driving a Top Alcohol Funny Car since 2010. The Wyoming resident spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons sitting in front of a blown alcohol motor, competing in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class. Before that, though, Greg campaigned his own alcohol funny car, so this year was a return to his roots.

“Being back in the Funny Car, making test runs and getting more seat time was important. I think every race we went to I grew more comfortable in the car. That's what we're going to build off of next year. Building off of positives is what we're doing right now.”

Looking back at the season as a whole, Hunter was quick to point out a few of his highlights.

“Definitely the high point was winning the race in Mission. Qualifying number 2 at the Vegas spring race was also a highlight for us. Even going to Dallas was a high point in the season. Even though we didn't qualify, we were able to go to a race that was new to us. Being able to experience that as a team was great. We'll probably go to Dallas again next year and maybe add another new race to the schedule. That will be a high point as well. The time spent with our sponsors and the chance to get to know them at the races was also a constant highlight.”

Greg Hunter was extremely impressed with the team that he joined in January. The group bonded quickly and held together through a couple trying moments during an otherwise successful season.

“It was great to spend time with the Synoil crew. Nobody ever got mad at each other. We were disappointed when things didn't go our way but no one got mad or blamed anyone, we just kept working at it, figured it out and got it turned around. That's a great characteristic of a team, to go through a struggle and work it out together. I think that's the biggest success that we had as a team.

“I want to thank team owner Geoff Goodwin for bringing me on to drive his car this year. Big thanks to my crew guys for their hard work this season: crew chief Ryan Protz, car chief Tom Goodwin, Wally Protz – top end, Johnny Leach – clutch, Harold “Fudd” Fjallman – oil and fuel, Gary Savage – utility man, Phillip Cook – transmission and parachutes, and Jane Willis, who helps host our hospitality area. Of course I also want to thank my wife and back-up girl, Staci, as she is a big part of my being able to race,” Greg concluded.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team are gearing up for the 2015 season. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and Exact Air Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Twister Piling, Proform Concrete Services, Prowler Contracting, Ron Hodgson Chevrolet, Hamptons Oilfield Services, MD Truck Repair, Mobil1, Landale Signs, Pumps and Pressure, and CleanBoost Oil.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Wrapping up First Season with Synoil Racing at Auto Club Finals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Synoil Racing

POMONA, Calif. (November 12, 2014) – Despite a pair of DNQs at the back-to-back Las Vegas races, Greg Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services Top Alcohol Funny Car team have a stride in their step as the NHRA Mello Yello Series wraps up its 2014 season in Pomona this weekend. The Canadian team struggled to adjust to new tires, resulting in a failure to qualify at the Toyota Nationals and the final Lucas Oil Series regional event of 2014. The lessons learned in Vegas, though, should help Hunter and Team Synoil at the 50th Annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway.

“We're really disappointed in our performance at both Vegas races. They were both tough fields, but we came in fully expecting to qualify and run well. We changed tires recently so we just don't have a handle on the tune-up for the Hoosiers yet. I'm confident that the team will get it figured out and we'll have a good showing at Pomona,” said Hunter.

The Synoil Racing team, led by team owner Geoff Goodwin and crew chief Ryan Protz, switched to Hoosier tires going into the Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas. Hunter made several passes with the new tires between the national event, Monday testing and the regional event.

“I think we're getting a good handle on the tires now. We thought we had it figured out until it threw us a curve ball on that last run. Just with that data we're confident we can take advantage of the awesome track in Pomona and the great air that is characteristic of the Finals,” noted Hunter, who joined Synoil Racing at the beginning of the 2014 season.

Team Synoil's pit area will be full of enthusiasm this weekend, as Greg Hunter and the team will be joined by a group of supporters.

“We have some more of our sponsors coming out so we're looking forward to entertaining the guys from Synoil, Twister and Proform. Pomona is my favorite track to race at so the whole crew and I are very excited for this weekend.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car's first qualifying session hits the Auto Club Raceway quarter-mile at 3:30 PM on Thursday. The final two sessions are scheduled for 11 AM and 2 PM on Friday. Eliminations begin with first round at 2:15 PM on Saturday and continue after Pro round 1 on Sunday.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and Exact Air Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowler Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Mobil1.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Seeking Continued Success at Vegas' Toyota Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (October 30, 2014) – The semi-annual racing trip to Las Vegas means a chance for renewed success for Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter. Wheeling Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing entry, Hunter will join 19 other TAFC participants at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. Since the fairly new driver/team combination started their season with a semifinal finish at the Vegas spring race this year, the Vegas return is especially anticipated.

Hunter's last race was the Texas AAA NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas last month, where the Hunter and Goodwin team suffered a rare DNQ. The Wyoming driver failed to make it down the track quick enough to qualify for the sixteen-car field, prompting crew chief Ryan Protz and the team to make a few changes.

“After we were disappointed in Dallas, the team decided to bring the car back to the shop in Canada instead of heading right to Vegas. The Synoil team went over the car top to bottom and they found a few issues including a cracked frame rail, which contributed to our traction problems in Dallas. Everything is fresh and new going into the Vegas race. We know it's going to be a tough field so we're going in with guns loaded,” claimed the TAFC-turned TAD-turned TAFC driver.

The Strip at LVMS is where Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services-sponsored team first experienced success together. Racing at the SummitRacing.com Nationals in April earlier this year, Greg Hunter qualified No. 2 with a 5.61 and raced to the semifinal round. Seeing as that was only their second race together, Hunter believes they can go even further now that they have a full season of experience.

“The team has really gelled since the beginning of the season. We know each other a lot better and I'm more comfortable and readjusted to driving a funny car now. Not that I wasn't comfortable before, but I feel like I've progressed every weekend.”

“We're all excited for Vegas because we know the track well and we had success at the spring race. All of our sponsors are coming out for this race so we're looking forward to having a good time with them.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car has a unique schedule for this weekend's NHRA Toyota Nationals, Oct. 30-Nov. 2. Teams have one qualifying shot on Friday at 11:15 AM, followed by two runs on Saturday at 11:45 AM and 3 PM. First round of eliminations begins at 9 AM Sunday morning.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Mobil1.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Recent Regional Winner Greg Hunter Carrying Momentum to Fall Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

ENNIS, Texas (September 18, 2014) – Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter is riding a wave of momentum into the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals this weekend after winning the recent Mission regional. Driving for Canadian Geoff Goodwin, Hunter earned the first NHRA event win of his alcohol racing career at the Mission, B.C. NHRA West Region event two weeks ago. Now he's ready to go after his first national event win at Dallas.

“It was kind of surreal,” Hunter said of the Mission win. “Even though there was a low car count we felt that it didn't really take away from the accomplishment. The cars we raced against were good cars and the new track surface at Mission was tricky. Once that place has some more runs on it it's going to be a great track like it was.

“It was tough for everyone to get down the track last weekend. I'm just proud of how our team was able to overcome a little adversity. We hadn't made it down the track going into the last qualifying session. It was stressful because we really wanted to do well there. With the track not being the greatest we decided to be extra careful. Ryan (Protz, tuner) did a great job and the whole team worked well to prepare the car for the conditions,” Hunter noted.

Greg Hunter and his Synoil Energy Services/Geoff Goodwin Racing teammates look to add a second win to their 2014 scorecards as they race at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex, Sept. 18-21. Hunter, who joined Geoff Goodwin Racing this year after two years in Top Alcohol Dragster competition, has never raced at the Fall Nationals.

“We have a lot of confidence going into Dallas. We feel that we can run with anybody. We've never been there but Dallas has the reputation of being a great racetrack so we're looking forward to getting there and running some strong numbers and hopefully going deep into eliminations. There are a lot of the top cars and a ton of cars in general entered so we'll have our work cut out for us,” admitted the Wyoming resident.

Hunter and team will be joined by Synoil Racing sponsors Twister Piling and MD Truck Repair, who are making the long trip down from the northwest. Prowler Contracting will be there as well as a new group, Catalytic Combustion Corporation.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowler Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Northwesterner Greg Hunter Chasing First Win at Northwest Nationals

Courtesy of NVWMotorsports Promotion

SEATTLE (July 31) – Northwest native Greg Hunter will race at his home national event this weekend. Driving the Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny Car, Hunter is competing at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, August 1-3. Despite having four months off since their last national event, Greg and the Geoff Goodwin-led Synoil Racing team are excited to improve upon their performance and race for their first Wally together.

“Our last NHRA national event was the SummitRacing.com Nationals in March, where we reached the semifinals. Over July 4^th weekend we ran a match race at the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals with John Evanchuk. A lot of our sponsors were in attendance and the car ran well. Since then I've been doing a lot of business stuff with work – that has been going very well – so it'll be nice to go out to Seattle and race again. It's been a while since we've been back at the track and back at an NHRA national event,” Hunter claimed.

Hunter, who resides in Wyoming, last raced at the Northwest Nationals in 2013 behind the wheel of a blown Top Alcohol Dragster. Seattle was the site of his first national event race with his own TAFC in 2004. Now he's back in a methanol-burning Funny Car, eager to push deep into eliminations in front of a home crowd.

“Seattle is one of our team's favorite races. It's a great track and it looks like the temperature should be just right. It's going to be a tough field but we're confident going in that we'll be able to run with anyone,” Greg added.

Greg Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny Car team will hit the track at 1:45 and 4:30 PM on Friday and noon on Saturday for qualifying. Eliminations begin at 2:45 PM on Saturday and resume on Sunday morning.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Returning to Yellowstone Dragstrip for "Home" Race

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

BILLINGS, Mont. (June 19) – Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter will be back in the seat of his Geoff Goodwin-owned funny car this weekend after over two months away from the track. Hunter is competing at the NHRA regional series' return to Acton, Montana's Yellowstone Dragstrip. This is the team's first event since racing to the SummitRacing.com semifinals in March.

“It's been a tough time off because we were running well. We felt that we could've done better but we were still happy with how we did. Obviously everybody is excited and anxious to get back on track,” Hunter claimed.

Yellowstone Dragstrip recently returned to NHRA sanctioning after several years away from the regional circuit, so the track is fairly new to many of the Top Alcohol competitors. Hunter and the Synoil team, however, are very familiar with the Montana facility.

“While this will be my first time driving the Synoil car at this track, both myself and the team have experience at this track. They went to the finals at this race several years ago, so they have good data here. I've raced on this track a lot as well since it's so close to home. I feel like it's almost a home track for me,” added Hunter, a Wyoming resident.

In addition to local friends, Greg Hunter and the Synoil Racing team will host local customers of the team's primary sponsors, Synoil Energy Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems.

“We're really looking forward to this race. We have a lot of friends who are coming to hang out and watch the races. This is a big area for our businesses, so we're hosting customers as well.”

Top Alcohol qualifying sessions are scheduled for Saturday at 3, 5, and 7 PM local time at the NHRA Northwest Division Lucas Oil Regional race at Yellowstone Dragstrip, June 20-22. Eliminations begin at noon on Sunday.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Qualifies No. 2, Races to Vegas Semifinals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

 LAS VEGAS (April 1) – Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter capped off a two-race swing in Las Vegas with another semifinal finish, this time at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals. The Geoff Goodwin-owned team had the car running consistently quick, allowing Greg to qualify a career-high No. 2 and race to the penultimate round.

“We always try to go into a race with every intention of winning. I don't know if I would say surprised, but we were definitely super-happy about qualifying No. 2. Once we realized we were running pretty good we wanted the No. 1 back,” said Hunter.

While his 5.660 and 5.628 runs in the last two sessions weren't enough to take the top spot, Greg's strong 5.610 from the opening qualifying session held up for No. 2. Hunter drove the Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny car to 5.658 and 5.686 victories over Dave Germain and Sean Bellemeur. The Synoil car smoked the tires for the first time all weekend during Greg's semifinal race against Jay Payne.

The tire smoke was a surprise for both the driver and team.

“We didn't really change much on the tune-up, so we didn't expect the car to smoke the tires as bad as it did. I was in the less-favorable lane and we just didn't have what it was looking for. We tried our best. I did my best to correct it and get the car to hook up but it just wasn't happening,” Greg claimed.

Looking back at the positives of the weekend, the Wyoming resident was able to point out the most critical.

“One of the most important aspects of the weekend was that we didn't have any parts breakage. The car was running very well, and we did it without hurting parts. The crew was working really well together. I'm new to the team and there are a couple new crew guys, but we're all coming together. This weekend really has us excited about this team's future.”

Greg Hunter and the Synoil Racing/ExactAir TAFC team will have a couple months off before their next races in Mission, B.C. (June 6-8) and Billings, MT (June 20-22).

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Seeking First TAFC Win at SummitRacing.com Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

LAS VEGAS (March 25) – A trip to Las Vegas is always anticipated, but a semifinal showing at last weekend's NHRA West Region event at LVMS has Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter even more eager to head back to The Strip. Greg and his Synoil Racing teammates know they have a race car capable of winning. The Edmonton-based team is doing everything in their power to improve their chances at the SummitRacing.com Nationals, March 28-30.

“Unfortunately we lost a burst panel in the semifinals. We felt that was a race we could've won. Ryan (Protz) and the crew have been going over the car top to bottom, getting it ready for this weekend. We have a lot of friends, family, and sponsors visiting us at this race so we want to do good. I'm confident that we'll do well,” Greg said.

Racing at the NHRA West Region Vegas spring race last weekend, Hunter qualified the Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny Car in the third spot, 5.672. He used a solid .036 reaction time and 5.629 run to take out Jay Payne first round. The Synoil Monte Carlo was on another strong pass in the semifinals before the aforementioned burst panel broke, leaving Greg with no choice but to watch Shane Westerfield take the win.

While they didn't walk away with a Wally, the Geoff Goodwin-owned team did receive useful data for this weekend's race.

“The data from the 5.62 told us that we're moving in the right direction. Our goal is to work toward small improvements, not to do anything crazy. I myself want to make small improvements, doing a better job at every opportunity, and I think that's where the whole team stands. Everyone is working hard, doing our best, and making small improvements. I think that combination will give us a shot at winning,” Greg claimed.

Qualifying for the race was an achievement in itself, with sixteen cars fighting for one of eight chances to race on Sunday. While the SummitRacing.com Nationals field will allow for sixteen cars to qualifying, Greg is set on earning another top-half spot.

“With all of those great cars going for eight spots, we were proud that we qualified in the top half of that field. Qualifying in the top half is one of our goals for the national event this weekend so we can set ourselves up for a long day on Sunday.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, March 28-30, are set for noon and 3:45 PM on Friday and 11 AM on Saturday. First round of eliminations will begin around 3 PM on Saturday. Eliminations continue on Sunday.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Debuting New Look at Vegas Regional

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

LAS VEGAS (March 20) – Greg Hunter will have a new look when his Geoff Goodwin-owned Synoil Racing/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny Car hits The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. The Canadian entry will sport a new black and green design at the Las Vegas regional race, March 21-23.

“The Synoil guys were looking to change up the look of the car since the existing design had been on the car for a few years now. I love doing stuff like that so I volunteered to help get it going. We started working with Greg Ozubko and he put together a couple renderings for us. Everyone on the team had input. We're really happy with the new look and can't wait to get it on the track at Vegas,” Greg said of the new vinyl, meticulously applied by Synoil Racing sponsor Landale Signs.

Hunter and Goodwin enjoyed a promising start to their season at the Winternationals in Pomona last month, but they're still looking for more from the Synoil Energy Services Monte Carlo.

“The car went back to Edmonton after Pomona. Walley and Ryan Protz were with the car every night. Ryan has been pouring over the data, trying to find little areas where we can pick up on performance. We're trying to improve little by little rather than rotating the earth,” Hunter commented.

The always-optimistic Wyoming driver expressed his goals for the team's two-race Vegas stretch.

“Everybody is super-positive and confident. We want to go out and win both races. I know the field is tight be we're up to the challenge. We were watching the race last weekend and noticed that just about anyone can win, and we feel we have a chance, too.”

Greg and the Synoil Racing TAFC team will race at the Lucas Oil Series regional event this weekend, then return for the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals the following weekend, March 28-30.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Mixed Results for Hunter at Winternationals TAFC Debut

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Synoil Racing

 

POMONA, Calif. (February 12) – Top Alcohol Funny Car newcomer Greg Hunter experienced the highs and lows of racing in his Synoil Racing debut at the NHRA Circle K Winternationals last weekend. The Wyoming driver posted a strong qualifying time but a simple mechanical failure ended his race day in the first round. Despite the mixed results, Hunter is still enthusiastic about his new ride.

“It was a spectacular weekend. I felt more comfortable in the car on each pass. We came out and made a great pass in the first qualifying session and felt we were on our way to a better finish. We would've won first round but the safety box shut the car off at 1000 feet. We were really disappointed about that but overall I'm very excited. The car is making a lot of power. We just need to get a handle on it,” Greg said.

In the first qualifying session, Hunter drove the Geoff Goodwin-owned Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir entry to a 5.622 at 257 MPH, which stood for No. 2 by the end of the session. Unable to improve in the later two sessions, Greg fell to seventh, right in the middle of a group of four drivers who clocked the same exact elapsed time.

“It was pretty cool to run a 5.62 right out of the box,” Greg added. “We were the first car to run and we held on to the No. 1 spot until the second to last pair when Jay Payne went by us.”

Hunter went into eliminations with just two runs of experience racing alongside another alcohol funny car in the other lane. He most recently drove a blown TAD for the past two years, but Greg is new to NHRA TAFC racing.

“I was a little nervous on my first side-by-side qualifying run next to Jay Payne, who's been doing this for a long time. It was nice having my wife, Staci, back me up from the burnouts – that was a familiar aspect. I started to feel more and more comfortable after each run,” Greg claimed.

The Synoil Racing Funny Car flexed its muscles first round, but the aforementioned safety box, which automatically shuts the car off in the case of an emergency, activated accidentally. Hunter's package of .041 reaction time and 5.689 ET would've been enough to win five of the six other round races, but his opponent, eventual race winner Brian Hough, ran just a bit quicker. Hough crossed the finish line .006 seconds ahead of Greg, 5.674.

“We were all disappointed; we thought we had a good chance to win the race. On the bright side, it was an absolute pleasure to be driving the Synoil car. I also had a great time in the pit area, visiting with our sponsors and the team's previous driver, Jason Rupert. It was a good atmosphere and I had a lot of fun.

“Special thanks to the entire Synoil team for welcoming me and my wife to the team. Everyone on the team gelled really well together, especially after testing in Vegas. We really enjoyed our first race with them and we're looking forward to a successful season with this great group of people,” said Greg, who joins Synoil Racing after driving the ExactAir TAD for the past two seasons.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have teamed up for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Service, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Greg Hunter and Synoil Racing Starting First Season Together at Pomona

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Synoil Racing

POMONA, Calif. (February 6) – Wyoming's Greg Hunter starts the 2014 NHRA season with a new team, car, and class. After two years of competing in Top Alcohol Dragster, Hunter is making the switch to Top Alcohol Funny Car with Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Energy Services team. The Canadian group will enter their first race together at this weekend's NHRA Circle K Winternationals in Pomona.

Greg and the Synoil Racing team recently tested in Las Vegas to prepare for the season-opening race. The test session was a welcomed opportunity for Greg to acquaint himself with the Synoil car and the driving style required to drive a high-powered, short wheelbase alcohol funny car.

“Testing went great. The Synoil team did an awesome job of making me feel comfortable in the car. They're truly a professional team. We made a few successful practice runs which gave me time to adjust to the driving style of a funny car. The first full run was a 5.62 at 248 MPH. The results from testing really have me excited for the Winternationals,” Greg exclaimed.

Hunter, who brings his ExactAir sponsorship to the new team, was in the process of fielding his own alcohol funny car when he got the opportunity to drive the Kenny Gilmour Motorsports Top Alcohol Dragster in 2012. Greg says one of the biggest changes was the difference between the in-car experience in his car and the in-car experience in the Synoil car.

“I had very limited experience with my screw-blown alcohol funny car. We were always working on it, trying to make it run right. Going from that car to a car that is competitive from the start is the biggest difference. It's a newer car with all current, top-notch parts. That aspect has made the switch go smoothly.”

Greg's two years of experience in the dragster and the time spent preparing over the winter helped him make the switch back to Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Overall, it was a smooth transition,” Hunter claimed. “The experience I had in a dragster, the faster speeds, helped me make the transition to driving a competitive alcohol funny car. I got a lot of really good sensations from being in the car, such as the push-pull sensation. Just hearing the motor in front of me and being ready to go that fast helped a lot. I felt very comfortable in the car.”

Though the Winternationals will be the team's first race together, Greg is already happy with his new opportunity.

“I'm super excited going into this season. I've known the guys for a while and got along well with them. Geoff and Walley (Protz) are legends in Canadian drag racing. Learning about their history and what they've been a part of makes it an honor for me to have the opportunity to drive their car,” said Hunter, who is originally from Alberta, Canada.

The Synoil Racing team will be racing with heavy hearts, as crew member John Leach lost his father earlier this week. Greg and the team send their thoughts and prayers to the Leach family.

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions at the NHRA Circle K Winternationals are scheduled for 11 AM and 2:30 PM Friday and 10:30 AM Saturday. Eliminations will start at 2:30 on Saturday afternoon.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have teamed up for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Service, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Hunter Joins Synoil Racing TAFC Team for 2014

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Synoil Racing

SHERIDAN, Wyo. (December 21) – Experienced Top Alcohol driver Greg Hunter announced today he will be taking over driving duties of the Geoff Goodwin-owned Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car. Hunter will fill the seat previously occupied by three-time NHRA Heritage Series Funny Car champion Jason Rupert, who will compete in IHRA's Prostalgia Funny Car class in 2014.

“I'm very excited to join the Synoil Racing team and get back in a supercharged, methanol-burning Funny Car. Jason did a great job driving the car for the past few seasons, so I have some big shoes to fill. I'm looking forward to the challenge,” said Hunter, who drove Kenny Gilmour's ExactAir Top Alcohol Dragster for the past two seasons.

Greg's new relationship with Synoil Racing came at a perfect time, as both parties were looking for new options for the 2014 season.

“We damaged a lot of parts during the last few races. Kenny and his team decided to take some time away to rebuild their program, so I was left looking at other driving opportunities. I received a call from Geoff Goodwin asking me about driving the Synoil Energy Services car in 2014. Jason had a few major conflicting race dates with his IHRA schedule, so they needed someone else to drive the car. It all came together at the right time,” Greg said.

It will be a return to Hunter's roots, as the Wyoming driver previously campaigned his own Top Alcohol Funny Car before piloting Gilmour's blown alcohol dragster.

“I'm sure it will take some time for me to readjust to the driving style that it requires to drive an alcohol Funny Car. You need to yank on the wheel a little more than the dragster allows. We plan on testing before the Winternationals to give me the chance to get a few runs in before we start the season,” Hunter claimed.

Greg Hunter drove Kenny Gilmour's Top Alcohol Dragster for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, with primary support from ExactAir Compliance Systems. He debuted with a first round win at the spring Vegas national event. Hunter's best finish came at the Denver regional event earlier this year, where he reached the final round, losing to eventual national champion Jim Whiteley. His career-best performance was a 5.373 at 268 MPH.

“With Jason Rupert's departure to run his own car, we are very fortunate to have a great driver of Greg's caliber join our team. We wish Jason continued success in his endeavor and welcome Greg and his family to Synoil Racing,” said Geoff Goodwin, owner of the Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team.

Greg Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services Top Alcohol Funny Car team will run a full schedule of west coast NHRA LODRS national and regional events in 2014. To keep up with the team during the season, like Synoil Racing on Facebook (www.facebook.com/synoilracing).