Top Fuel driver Josh Hart had accepted the chance he might not be able to defend his Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout title. However, it didn't mean he gave up hope. 

Word comes today that Hart will indeed get the opportunity. He was inserted into the final field after Leah Pruett withdrew her spot. Last season, he won from the No. 8 position in the field, and this year's berth only gave credence to the Biblical scripture adorning the back of his R+L Carriers-sponsored hauler.

"I have always believed 'Anything's  Possible,' and this turn of events proves that you have to stay ready because anything can happen," Hart said. "I am excited to get to mix it up with these other seven drivers. We won from the No. 8 spot last year, and we will try and do it again. This R+L Carriers Top Fuel team learned a lot at the end of the season and over the off-season. We will be ready."

At the 2023 Performance Racing Industry trade show, Pruett announced she would be stepping away from racing to start a family with her husband, Tony Stewart. She had entertained the idea of racing in the event if Stewart was solidly qualified in the field but withdrew the idea.

Pruett wasn't the only withdrawal as Austin Prock, now racing a Funny Car, withdrew his berth as well. 

Antron Brown and Shawn Langdon, who also got in as an alternate, will each advance a spot in the lineup, with Hart filling the vacant position. 

The top seed, four-time Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence, holds the privilege of selecting his opening-round opponent in the unique specialty race, followed by subsequent picks from Doug Kalitta, Mike Salinas, Brittany Force, and Justin Ashley.

Selections for the event are scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Top Eliminator Club, with the first round commencing at 1:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, followed by semifinals at 2:45 p.m. and the finals at 4:25 p.m. A dedicated broadcast will air at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1.

The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, inaugurated in 2022, features a total purse of $130,000, along with a distinctive Callout trophy and belt, attracting seasoned champions and emerging talents alike.
Hart's previous triumph underscores the competitiveness of the event, where he defeated formidable opponents from an unlikely starting position, showcasing the unpredictable nature of drag racing.