Full Answer. The record for a quarter-mile race in a top-fuel car is 336.15 mph set in 2005 by Tony Schumacher. Race distances were shortened from 1,320 feet to 1,000 feet after the death of Scott Kalitta in 2008. Funny cars and top-fuel cars are the fastest racers in NHRA, with top speeds between 320 and 330 mph.