Drag racing is a competition involving specially designed automobiles or motorcycles. These vehicles compete two at a time, from a standing start, to reach the finish line. Typically races are 1/4 mile long. The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) administers the majority of the North American drag races. There are many different classes of drag racing, including Top Fuel, which is the kind of drag racing that Jeff O’Neill does. Instead of using gasoline or methanol, Top Fuel vehicles use a mix of about 90 nitromethane and 10 methanol. Top Fuel vehicles are designed for speed and straight-line acceleration with long, narrow bodies and large tires in back and small tires in front.

Jeff O’Neill begin his professional career in the computer industry in 1996. O’Neill excelled in the field, winning several major awards including the Desoto County Mississippi Leadership 2000 award and the Broadslate Networks’ Engineer of the Year award in 2001. He also got a couple articles published in the Journal for Institute of Validation Technology.

O’Neill first had the opportunity to drive a racing car in his mid-20′s. It was something that he had wanted to do for a while. Marshall Hurley, a former NASCAR driver, offered to let Jeff test a NASCAR Whelen Modified to see if he had what it takes to race. Hurley was impressed with what he saw. Jeff hasn’t looked back since. He began his racing career in 2008 and more recently, started Jeff O’Neill Racing.

O’Neill believes in giving back to his community so that others will be able to pursue their own dreams. He coaches Little League and donates to a number of different charities, including St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Make A Wish Foundation. As he continues to win more races, he opens to make even larger donations.