CODY KROHN

The entire experience was unlike anything Cody had ever experienced in all his years of racing . “ Sitting in the water box , looking down the track , it was exciting and almost eerie – everything else washed away and I was focused on only that moment ,” he shares of the feeling just seconds before he was sling-shotted down the track . “ The acceleration was crazy . Everything else I ’ ve driven is done pulling by half-track , but the fuel cars get there and reach lockup and pull even harder !”

Hawley was pleased with Cody ’ s performance and expects big things from his protégé . “ He is a bright young kid and he ’ s done really well every time ,” confirms the famed driver and owner / namesake of Frank Hawley ’ s Drag Racing School . “ Cody has a lot of skill and he will fit nicely into the NHRA professional level of racing .”

Cody fully recognizes what an incredible opportunity he has been given , thanks to his parents

Rich and Luci ’ s generous support of his dreams , and doesn ’ t want to waste a single second of it .

“ There are so many kids my age or in similar situations that never get this chance , so I almost can ’ t believe it ’ s happening to me . I ’ m beyond blessed ,” confesses the intelligent and articulate young man . “ To have all of these people on my side wanting to see me succeed , and for my parents to have helped every way they could , I have to use this opportunity to its fullest potential and make it worthwhile for everyone . Other people worked hard to get me here and I can ’ t waste that .”

Although he ’ s already accumulated two runnerup finishes in the 2023 Lucas Oil Series with the Samsel ’ s Racing team ’ s A / Fuel entry , the 19-yearold Top Fuel-licensed rookie is now eagerly anticipating his big debut at the highest level of drag racing , which will take place at the NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway just outside of St . Louis , Missouri , on September 29-October 1 .

Ideally , Cody hopes to make driving in NHRA Top Fuel his full-time profession and to one day own a team of his own . He ’ s fully committed to doing whatever it takes to make that dream a reality , and with the temptation of the end goal already being so close to coming to fruition , Cody is more motivated than ever before . DI

28 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 184