Moving up from his start in the Junior Dragster ranks to bracket racing as a teenager, Brannon learned the ropes not far from home at nearby Greer Dragway. His mother, who passed away several years ago, handed over the reins of her dragster to Brannon when he decided it was time to move up once again.

Since his humble beginnings in rural Boiling Springs, South Carolina, Brannon’ s gone big-time. Brannon took ownership of a 2012 Maddox Race Cars chassis and engine and has since amassed an enviable collection of titles and big money wins; Brannon won the 2014 IHRA Top Dragster championship and a $ 10,000 prize, the NHRA Super Comp Division II championship in both 2014 and 2015, and the NHRA Super Comp world title in 2015.

On the big money bracket racing side, Brannon – who competes primarily in Super Gas and Super Comp – won at Mooresville Dragway in 2015 when he took home a $ 5,000 check. Alabama’ s Montgomery Motorsports Park yielded paydays of $ 10,000 in 2010, $ 7,000 in 2011, and $ 20,000 in 2013. While competing at Atco Dragway in New Jersey during the 2015 season, Brannon bolstered his bank account to the tune of $ 25,000. He kept the checks coming and scored a bonus of $ 5,000 as well as a championship helmet when he was crowned the overall Wiseco 5-Day Points Chase winner at the 2016 Spring Fling in Bristol, Tennessee.“ I also won $ 25,000 at the Million Dollar Race this year on Sunday,” Brannon proudly added of the famed event at Montgomery Motorsports Park.“ I ran at the World Series of Bracket Racing in Darlington, South Carolina and made it through to the late rounds here but didn’ t win the big prize that time.”

It’ s impressive for anyone to win as consistency as Brannon does, but the fact he’ s still considered a young gun in the sport makes it even more impressive. It’ s his drive and determination to improve that pushes Brannon to greatness, and he recently decided to try something new: Brannon yanked his sponsored dragster’ s 655 ci PAR

engine in favor of a 540 ci ProCharged PAR bullet. With the boosted combination, Brannon’ s dabbled in PDRA and NHRA Top Dragster ranks.

Day to day, Brannon balances the complexities of managing a career, professionally and as a racer, while planning a wedding with his fiancée and

fellow racer, Ivey Nicole Hutto.“ My biggest challenge is trying to work and race. Working at PAR makes it easier, but trying to balance everything can still be tough,” he admitted. He thrives on the challenge, though, and instead finds motivation.“ I see so many of our customers that are young, and it inspires me to try and be as good as them.

Whether it’ s a local race or a big NHRA event, I try and race hard. I give it everything I’ ve got, every single time.”

Most notably, it’ s Brannon’ s boss at PAR Race Engines, four-time champion Scott Duggins, who he looks up to the most. PAR customers such as Anthony Bertozzi, Peter Biondo, and Steve Furr have all also been instrumental in encouraging Brannon.“ I’ ll ask them for advice or what they’ re thinking about how to approach a run, and they all help me out,” he said of the support he receives.“ I really have to give all the glory to God, and all the people that have helped me along the way including PAR, Maddox, FTI Performance, Mickey Thompson, and, of course, my fiancée’ s family business, Ivey Hutto Golf Carts. Without all their help, there’ s no way I could do any of this.”

Long-term, Brannon plans to keep making it big in the world of big money bracket racing. It’ s where his heart is, and, fortunately for him, the sport is repaying his dedication.

– AINSLEY JACOBS DI

PHOTOS: COLE ROKOSKY, ALEX OWENS