THE BEST OF 30 UNDER 30
Blake Copson 2019
Different cars , different series , different classes , different stakes . Whatever the variable may be , it really hasn ’ t mattered to Blake Copson . The young standout has simply won and dominated in every setting , with the wins stacking up at a remarkable rate .
It ’ s been a quick road to stardom for Copson , who earned a spot on the 30 Under 30 list in 2019 after a standout year .
But his 2020 has been even better , winning the Atomizer Outlaw 10.5 World Championship , setting the class record at 3.69-seconds at 210.60 mph and grabbing victories in both Outlaw 10.5 and X275 .
With his victory in Outlaw 10.5 at the World Street Nationals in Orlando in the twin-turbocharged “ Root Beer Rocket ” ’ 17 Corvette , it gave Copson victories in 26 out of his last 27 rounds of racing .
“ It ’ s been a really great year . I couldn ’ t have dreamed it ,” Copson says . “ We ’ re fortunate to have the year we ’ ve had . I have to credit the wins to the team . I get in the car and I ’ m super confident . One thing I ’ ve focused on is really trying to stay in the present , race the race we ’ re at now and just let it happen .”
It ’ s a mindset that has served Copson well . He ’ s had great teachers in his father , Joe , Josh Ledford and Manny Buginga , but Copson has been an eager and dedicated learner . It has led to massive success , but Copson maintains he ’ s just a small part of the equation .
“ Last year we had some success , but with Josh , my dad and Pro Line , we ’ ve managed to accomplish a lot ,” Copson says . “ Manny is so sharp and I learn so much when I race with him . Then you add in Josh and our car , I ’ m able to learn a lot there as well .”
Copson drove for Buginga at No Mercy , taking his turbocharged ’ 03 Mustang Cobra to the winner ’ s circle in a loaded X275 field . That followed a dominant win at the Shakedown and preceded his victory in Orlando , which included him qualifying No . 1 and winning in strong fashion .
Through it all , Copson has enjoyed every step of a year he won ’ t soon forget .
“ Manny has afforded me a cool opportunity to work with him and X275 is one of the most competitive classes out there ,” Copson says . “ It ’ s special to showcase some things with a different car and I ’ m really blessed to be in this situation . At No Mercy , we just slowly picked away at it each round and raced the opponent . When it ’ s time to stand on it , they do , and that just goes with the learning and the chess game in racing . The car has been just effortless to drive , and it ’ s a dream to win these races .” – JOSH HACHAT DI
PHOTOS : CHRIS SEARS
82 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 162