Drag Illustrated Issue 115, November 2016 | Page 88

30 UNDER 30

30 UNDER 30

GAGE BURCH

Bracket racing sensation Gage Burch has racked up more NHRA Wallys and various event trophies than most racers could even dream of winning in their lifetime. Unfortunately for the fellow competitors in his home division, the NHRA’ s Southeast Division, Burch is only 16 years old, and he has a whole lot of winning left to do.

At an age when most kids his age are just beginning to drive, Burch can be found dominating in both Junior Dragsters and“ big cars” in NHRA and IHRA competition. This year alone, he’ s won the IHRA Tournament of Champions in Junior Dragster, the IHRA Division 2 Street championship, a $ 3,000 win at the World Footbrake Challenge, followed up with a win in the $ 5,000 64- car shootout at the NHRA JDRL Eastern Conference Finals. He also kicked off the season with a double-up victory at the New Year Nationals, but the race weekend that put the Florida racer into the history books was the NHRA Division 2 Finals at Atlanta Dragway. Burch collected four Wallys in two days, winning the Advanced Junior Dragster Race of Champions, Sportsman Race of Champions, and the High School event on Saturday, then securing the Southeast Division Advanced Junior Dragster championship on Sunday. As far as records can tell, he’ s the first person to win four of the prestigious trophies in one weekend.
“ It feels pretty cool now that I think about it, but at the time I wasn’ t really thinking about it and I didn’ t think it was that big of a deal,” Burch admitted of his feelings on the historic accomplishment.“ We showed up at the racetrack wanting to win, and it ended up happening. It was just a really cool deal, and I’ m glad my family and friends were all there to experience it with me.”
After thanking a long list of family, friends and supporters, including parents Matt and Diane, car owner B. J. Bianchi, and sponsors FTI and Mickey Thompson, Burch added that he’ ll continue to race in sanctioned events and big-money bracket races in the Southeast. His Junior Dragster career will conclude at the end of the 2017 season, but as that door closes, another will open – he’ ll finally be old enough to compete on the national-event level beginning at the 2018 NHRA Gatornationals.
– NATE VAN WAGNEN DI

When you’ re the daughter of a former NHRA world champion it could be hard to both live up to expectations and pave your own path, but Amanda Boicesco is already holding her own and following in the footsteps of her father, Iggie, the 2006 NHRA Super Gas World Champion.

Amanda started racing Juniors at the age of 13, winning the New Jersey Junior Dragster State Championship and two track championships at Raceway Park, before moving to Super Comp at age 17. In her first year of SC, she won an NHRA divisional race, as well as a Mid Atlantic. 90 Association race, finishing fourth in overall NHRA Division 1 points. That year she also received the 2014 Image of the Youth Award for her division. In 2015, she and her father picked up sponsorship from ATI Performance Products and Amanda earned her Top Dragster competition license. It seemed her first national event Wally had to be just around the corner.
Amongst one of the most trying years of the Boicescos’ racing, Amanda decided to take a couple days off from classes at Arcadia University to enter her hometown national at Maple Grove this

AMANDA BOICESCO
fall. That event would be the light in an otherwise difficult year. In the words of her father, Amanda“ saved their season” in her 2002 Undercover dragster with an incredible Super Comp win capped off by a. 002 package in the final.
“ We were just having the toughest year,” Amanda
said after earning her first Wally.“ I’ m surprised we continued to race. But my dad continued to push and make my car the best it could be and help motivate me. It was the best thing that could have happened to me and my dad this year.”
Now being named one of DI’ s 30 Under 30, Amanda and her father have further redemption in the season.“ I am very fortunate and lucky to have had many opportunities given to me,” thanked the 20-year-old.“ My dad worked very hard as a middle school teacher in Philadelphia to fund his own racing. When I expressed an interest in driving, he motivated me by requiring me to earn straight A’ s in school in order to race. He’ s been in the sport for 40 years and has a lot of knowledge. He passed down information that helped me not buckle under pressure and to stay focused. I attribute my success to my dad’ s obsession, perseverance, and hard work. He taught me what focus and determination it takes to be successful. It is possible to do well on a budget. I have to thank him, my crew chief Bob Sener, and my boyfriend Mike Epprecht.”
Boicesco’ s dragster is named“ Relentless” – a name that the she and her father have lived out this season, and one that Amanda is sure to keep up throughout her racing career, as she insists she will“ never give up”. Amanda finished 13th in the world this season, but if she has anything to say about it, it won’ t be long until she is listed beside her dad as an NHRA world champion.
– LISA COLLIER DI
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