KEVIN
BRANNON
$8,000,” says Brannon, candidly. “I don’t know
why it’s dropped so significantly, maybe the economy, or maybe companies just can’t afford to
spend that kind of money anymore.”
In addition to funding and the costs associated
with campaigning a competitive car, Brannon’s
biggest challenge with making it to races is simply
coordinating the time off from work. “My job’s
pretty good about it, but it adds up taking days
here and there to go racing. I wind up spending
a lot of time at the track,” he continues.
Understanding that responsibility comes first,
and that hard work yields more results than
waiting around for Lady Luck to arrive, has put
Brannon in the position of being a role model for
and know how to work on your car and how to
set it up – it’ll make it a lot easier in the long run.”
With a strong start to his 2016 season already
in the books, Brannon intends to focus the remainder of his year on doing as well as possible
in the Drag Race Results “Big Buck” bracket races.
He’ll also continue in NHRA’s Super Comp series, has plans to race at three $50,000 events at
Piedmont Dragway, and will attend the JEGS All
Stars race held in conjunction with the NHRA
event at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Chicago, Illinois.
Between his big bracket appearances, Brannon
will also get back to his roots in his mother’s Monza. He recently spent considerable time restoring
CONSISTENTLY FAST Though making regular
laps in his Chevy Monza and Camaro Super Gas
altered, Brannon’s weapon of choice is his PAR
Race Engines big block Chevy-powered, Maddox
Race Cars-built, FTI Converter-equipped rearengine Dragster, which has carried the young
driver to multiple championships including the
2013 and 2014 NHRA Division 2 Super Comp titles.
other up and coming racers. His success, too, is
an integral part of his role model status, and it’s
something that he takes quite seriously. “It’s a big
honor for me to be thought of that way, and I try
to present myself as best as I can. I don’t want
to be a racer who’s out there and does well but is
drinking and partying or doing all that. I don’t
drink or smoke and I try to be a good role model
for kids. I give advice if they ask, and I’m always
happy to help,” he says, demonstrating wisdom
and compassion well beyond his years.
For those who wish to follow in his footsteps,
Brannon puts major emphasis on practicing and
being dedicated. “Make as many laps down the
track as you possibly can, and be able to work on
your stuff,” he recom