MOORESVILLE, NC (February 18, 2026) — Doug Foley Racing announced today that Doug Foley will transition from driving duties to a full-time team owner role beginning with the 2026 season. Gary Pritchett has been named driver of the team’s Top Fuel dragster.
 
“We are going to do a driver swap in 2026,” Foley said. “I am going to get out of the seat. And I just felt like we could be better all the way around and I kind of wanted to focus more on just taking the team to another level, and so I decided to get out of the seat.”

Gary Pritchett will take over Top Fuel driving duties for Doug Foley in 2026, photo courtesy of Doug Foley Racing 

Foley, a veteran Top Fuel competitor and multi-time IHRA event winner, said the move allows him to focus on strengthening the organization both competitively and commercially.
 
“I just didn’t feel like our team was at the level it could be, and that’s my goal to fix that,” Foley said.
 
The team will compete in a combination of NHRA and IHRA events in 2026. Foley said the hybrid schedule provides opportunities for growth while maintaining a competitive presence across both sanctioning bodies.
 
Pritchett, a former Top Alcohol Dragster competitor and longtime Top Fuel crew member, earned his Top Fuel license in 2015 under the guidance of crew chief Doug Kuch.
 
“Doug Kuch actually got me my Top Fuel license back in 2015 in Charlotte and coming full circle,” Pritchett said. “I feel like all the stars are kind of aligning and really excited for the opportunity.”
 
Pritchett said the opportunity represents a career milestone.
 
“It feels like I got the opportunity I’ve been waiting on my whole life,” he said.
 
Additional announcements regarding partnerships and testing plans for the 2026 season will be released in the coming weeks.
 
For more information, visit http://www.foleylewisracing.com.