The harvest of good news continues from the McPhillips Racing camp as this week they announced the addition of Ft. Myers, Fla., racer Anthony Troyer to the team. Third-generation potato farmer Troyer most recently competed behind the wheel of a Fendt-branded COPO Camaro in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series, and he will continue to fly the flag for Fendt in 2025 — only now, he will be piloting a 285-mph Top Alcohol Dragster. Troyer is initially committed to seven events, with the possibility of adding more races over the course of the season.
Troyer entered the world of NHRA drag racing in 2020, first piloting a COPO Camaro powered by Ray Barton Racing Engines, then joining the Stanfield Racing Engines team in 2023. In the Factory Stock class, Troyer has been a top 10 competitor multiple seasons, and his accomplishments include a final-round at the 2022 Gatornationals and finishing No. 6 in the championship standings last season.
While the young man is the first drag racer in his family, his association with Fendt runs deep. The Troyer Brothers family business was established in the 1940s by Vernon and Clayton, brothers from Nebraska who forged a better way of life after The Dust Bowl by traveling first to Ohio, and finally to Pennsylvania. Today, the Troyer Brothers farms operate in both Pennsylvania and Florida, and they utilize Fendt equipment as they plant, grow, and harvest non-GMO-certified products.
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to drive for McPhillips Racing,” said Troyer, who recently licensed in Top Alcohol Dragster with McPhillips Racing in Bradenton, Fla. “It’s not every day that you get the call to drive for a highly successful TAD team. I can’t thank Fendt enough for following me in my racing journey.”
Troyer joins an all-star lineup at McPhillips Racing, with third-generation racer Melanie Johnson piloting their other nitro-injected Top Alcohol Dragster this season. McPhillips Racing was formed in 1969 by Rich “Pops” McPhillips Sr. and has earned nearly 100 wins and nine regional/divisional championships during their 56 years in competition (Rich McPhillips Sr., 3; Troy Coughlin Jr., 2; Matt Cummings, 2; Mike Coughlin, 1; and Tony Stewart, 1). Richie McPhillips Jr. co-owns the team, and he and his father serve as crew chiefs on both Top Alcohol Dragsters.
“We’re looking forward to Anthony joining McPhillips Racing this season,” said McPhillips Sr. “He brings a strong work ethic to the team and has shown how talented he is behind the wheel while getting his license. We’re honored to have Fendt on the side of his dragster. They are the official tractor of the NHRA, so we look forward to bringing them even more awareness through the sport of drag racing. We couldn’t do what we do without all our partners. A big thank you to NGK Spark Plugs, Lucas Oil, ARP [Automotive Racing Products], Boninfante Friction, Simpson Race Products and MAHLE for all of their support.”
Troyer’s season begins February 28-March 1 at the NHRA Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event coined “the Baby Gators,” which will take place at historic Gainesville Raceway in Florida. He will also compete at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals (March 6-9) in Gainesville; the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals (March 27-30) in Pomona, Calif.; the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals (June 26-29) in Norwalk, Ohio; the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals (Aug. 14-17) in Brainerd, Minnesota; the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals (Aug. 27-Sept. 1) in Indianapolis; and the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals (Nov. 13-16) in Pomona.
Leave a Reply