Being well-known in your hometown sounds like a good thing. Josh Hart was well-known in Huntington, but not exactly for the best of reasons. Local police knew Hart all too well, handing out plenty of speeding tickets as he tore around northeast Indiana.

Hart, a 2003 graduate of Huntington North, admits he grew up on the “other side of the fence” and was often in trouble for his excesses on the streets. He also says while his youthful indiscretions are nothing to be proud of, they are part of his story that has taken him from local hot-rodder to a champion drag racer, successful businessman, devoted husband and father, and humble philanthropist.

It’s a story that literally goes from zero to 340 miles per hour.

While Hart was still testing speed limits on highways and county roads, a friend suggested he join him at a local drag strip, perhaps hoping to channel that energy into organized racing. The faster Hart went on the track, the more he followed the rules of the road to and from his racing events.

But there was still one more run-in with the local authorities.

Brittanie Krallman worked at the Huntington Applebee’s, where she got to know Josh, a frequent customer. They went out on their first date, and on the way home Josh got pulled over again. But this time, the police officer let Josh go with just a warning. Brittanie didn’t let go, and their relationship developed.

Josh went door-to-door offering detailing services and Brittanie worked in a doctor’s office, but money remained tight. Josh said they often wondered whether they could afford a 99-cent box of macaroni and cheese.

Through it all, they maintained a positive attitude and strong work ethic, always motivated by the belief they would be successful.

Hart had rebuilt a 1965 Ford Mustang, and a small classic auto dealership in Ocala, Florida, expressed interest in buying the customized car. In 2009, Josh and Brittanie headed south with their last $300, knowing if they couldn’t sell the car, they might not have enough money to get back home. The dealership, American Classic Motor Cars, did buy Josh’s Mustang. Instead of returning to Indiana, Josh and Brittanie stayed in Florida and married in 2009. The funds from the Mustang gave them a bit of breathing room, and they set up their new business, Burnyzz. American Classic asked Josh to stay on and help work on the vintage cars.

Their success allowed them to buy the dealership in 2010. The business continued to grow, and the Harts kept building around the shop. Today, Burnyzz takes up an entire city block, covering 100,000 square feet surrounding the original American Classic Motor Cars building.

As Burnyzz took off, Hart was able to devote more time and resources to his drag racing career. His quick rise in the sport mirrored that of his business.

In 2011, he started racing in the National Hot Rod Association’s Top Alcohol Dragster division, where he won three NHRA titles between 2017 and 2019. In 2021, he reached the NHRA professional class and made history when he won the Gatornationals in his first Top Fuel division run. That same year, he started his own racing team, Josh Hart Racing.

With things going a bit better, Brittanie was considering a tattoo on her foot but couldn’t decide what it should say. They came up with the phrase “Anything’s Possible” as a tribute to their journey. Ever since then, the back wing of every dragster Josh has driven carries that phrase.

In 2025, Hart signed with John Force Racing, joining the organization founded by legendary champion driver and car owner John Force, patriarch of “The First Family of Drag Racing.” In his first event with his new team, Hart earned the No. 1 qualifying position at the 2026 Gatornationals, then won the event for his third career Top Fuel victory. Along the way, he drove his 12,000-horsepower dragster to personal bests of 3.658 seconds and 340.30 miles per hour.

Soft-spoken Hart has always been open about the fact he was adopted, and when he and Brittanie decided to start a family, adoption became the route they would need to travel. They welcomed a daughter in 2019, naming her Helen Londyn after Josh’s adoptive mother. In 2023, a baby boy, Banks Nicolas, joined the Hart family.

The Harts remain true to their humble roots in Huntington, and they enjoy returning home. In recent years, they have also made giving back to their hometown a priority. They made a donation to help Huntington Parks and Recreation install playground equipment at Drover Park, and entered into a multiyear sponsorship with the Huntington Police Athletic League to support football and baseball programs, allowing the PAL to purchase 85 football helmets.

Josh donated specialized equipment to the automotive program at the Huntington County Learning Center to allow Huntington North students to work with the latest equipment as they pursue careers. He also took time to talk with the students and share his personal story. Brittanie led the way in supporting Huntington’s United With Love food pantry by setting up a $10,000 challenge donation. The program raised the $10,000 goal and was matched by the Harts.

Even with success in racing and business, the Harts are grounded by the path they have traveled and do not take anything for granted. They feel a responsibility to take care of their 40 employees and continue their philanthropy, spreading their message: “Anything’s Possible.”