Brannon , who spends his week days assembling motors at mentor Scott Duggins ’ PAR Race Engines , notched the biggest win of his career this October at the Million Dollar Race at Montgomery Raceway Park , cutting a perfect light in the final against Tom Dauber .

“ It ’ s a huge relief ,” says Brannon . “ It ’ s something I ’ ve been going to since the early years in Montgomery with my mom and dad . I ’ ve always wanted to compete in and try to win something like that .”

Brannon had momentum entering this year ’ s Million , having reached the final round at a $ 25,000-to-win event at GALOT Motorsports Park . Though winning the Million can cement a big-money bracket racer ’ s legacy , Brannon sees more to accomplish in the driver ’ s seat .

“ I just try to keep digging and set new goals every year ,” says Brannon . “ I ’ d say the true Million would be my No . 1 priority in trying to win . I always wanted to be a world champion , which I got to accomplish in NHRA and IHRA . Winning a national event was a huge goal . I come from more the bracket racing scene than NHRA , so winning the Million was the top of the list for me .”

Brannon won his first national event at zMAX Dragway in Top Dragster last season , ridding

himself of the dubious honor of being a past world champion without a national event win . In 2019 , the bracket racer of national renown finally captured a track championship at nearby Greer Dragway . Brannon credits the competitive local scene for making him a better racer , saying , “ It ’ s like sharks over there .”

For next season , Brannon will continue to wheel his 2019 Maddox Race Cars dragster , wife Ivey ’ s American Race Cars dragster that has been rebuilt by Maddox , and the family door car previously driven by father Terry and mother Dotti , all with the help and support of Ivey Hutto Golf Carts , FTI Performance , ADP , PAR Race Engines , Maddox , BAM Roller Lifters , VP Race Fuels , and Mickey Thompson .

“ We ’ re real fortunate in the bracket racing scene right now to have good series to choose from like SFG , Spring Fling , and Folk [ Promotions ],” says Brannon . “ All the racing today is so tough that I am fortunate to be doing it . The competition is just incredible .”

– BRAD LITTLEFIELD DI

PHOTOS : CHRIS SIMMONS

96 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 162