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Daido Metal returns as primary partner for Paul Lee Racing at Gatornationals

Daido Metal will serve as the primary sponsor on the Funny Car driven by Paul Lee for the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
04 Mar 2026
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Paul Lee

Daido Metal will serve as the primary sponsor on the Funny Car driven by Paul Lee for the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Mainline Sales will appear as the secondary partner on the rear quarter panels, highlighting a continued expansion of support for the Paul Lee Racing program.

Daido Metal continues to work closely with the PLR crew on bearing development for the nitro-burning Funny Car, using the extreme conditions of NHRA competition to validate performance, durability, and consistency at over 11,000 horsepower. Daido Metal’s partnership with Paul Lee Racing represents more than brand visibility, it is real-world validation of advanced bearing engineering in one of motorsports’ most demanding environments. Nitro Funny Car competition consistently tests the limits of performance, where Daido has proven success with the PLR team.

“Daido Metal is proud to renew its commitment to supporting NHRA competition at every level of racing. Our partnership with Paul Lee Racing provides the ultimate proving ground for Daido’s high-performance bearings,” said Ron Brock, Strategic Development Manager. “Nitro Funny Car competition represents one of the most extreme environments in motorsports, and validating our products under these intense conditions reinforces that Daido Metal bearings are engineered to perform at any level. Paul and his team have been tremendous partners in demonstrating to the nitro community that Daido is not just a contender, we are a proven performance leader.”

The collaboration between Daido Metal and Paul Lee Racing continues to demonstrate the company’s commitment to every level of competitor seeking consistency, strength, and proven performance gains. SRI originally introduced Daido Metal to the PLR team to work alongside championship-winning crew chief John Medlen as part of Daido’s entry into Nitro Funny Car competition. Through testing, development, and race-winning performance, the partnership has continued to grow heading into the new season.

New for 2026, PowerEdge has joined the Paul Lee Racing program as a season partner. PowerEdge will serve as the primary sponsor at select NHRA events throughout the 2026 campaign, expanding PLR’s partner portfolio while supporting continued growth both on and off the racetrack.

“It’s exciting to start the season at the Gatornationals with Daido Metal returning as the primary partner,” said Lee. “Together, we’ve been able to develop, test, and win with their nitro bearings at the highest level. Adding PowerEdge and the return of Mainline Sales to the program for 2026 gives us even more momentum as we build on the progress we made last season.”
Paul Lee Racing enters the 2026 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing season following a breakout 2025 campaign highlighted by Lee’s first Nitro Funny Car victory, multiple final round appearances, strong qualifying performances, and a career best points finish that established the team as a consistent contender.