T ’ S BEEN quite a year for Colorado native Chris Vang , and it ’ s one that has been in the works for his whole life . The multi-class racer earned his second national event win this year in Chicago in Stock Eliminator , and a short while later , he raced to a hard fought and deeply desired victory in Mountain Motor Pro Stock at Bandimere Speedway , the track where he grew up watching his parents race until finally getting to race cars of his own .

“ My parents were racing before I was born , so I grew up helping my dad on the car . I loved it from the start and always wanted to help and learn more about it ,” says Vang , who is also a large part of brother-in-law Deric Kramer ’ s Pro Stock team as truck driver and clutch / transmission man . At the race shop in Colorado , he maintains the rig and the race vehicles .

Vang began racing in NHRA ’ s Jr . Drag Racing League at the age of eight , then moved up to bracket racing at Bandimere Speedway before taking over his mom ’ s ‘ 67 Chevelle in Super Street . He won the track championship and a divisional race driving the Chevy , which he eventually purchased from his parents and plans to race again in the near future .

While working full-time on Kramer ’ s Pro Stocker , Vang is also actively competing in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in a variety of categories . His racing history includes time behind the wheel in everything from Super Street to Top Dragster , Top Sportsman , and Mountain Motor Pro Stock . The trophies he earned this season in Mountain Motor Pro Stock and Stock Eliminator go alongside the one he earned in Super Street in 2017 at Houston Raceway Park .

“ I consider my greatest accomplishment in drag racing the fact that I ’ ve been in four final rounds in four different classes . I ’ m at the point now where I ’ m trying to chase Jeggie and Bo , see how many I can get ,” says Vang , referring to Jeg Coughlin Jr ., who has won in seven different NHRA categories , and Bo Butner , who has won in six . Vang was runner-up in Super Comp in Houston in 2019 .

This season ’ s triumph in Denver was particularly special for Vang .

“ I still can ’ t believe it actually happened ; it ’ s crazy I pulled it off ,” says Vang , who defeated Erica Enders in the final round of Mountain Motor Pro Stock at the last NHRA Mile-High Nationals held at the historic , now-closed facility . “ Every year , I say I ’ m not racing that one because I just lose first round every time . To finally be able to win , and to win against Erica , was really cool . It was a lot of work , but we were picking away and able to get the job done with

everyone there , my parents , Sarah [ wife ], Daria [ sister ], and the Pro Stock team . That made it really special .”

Vang hopes to continue racing well into the future , chasing the Super Comp win to add to his collection , driving the Kramer family ’ s COPO in Stock , and possibly bringing out his own Stocker , a unique front-wheel drive , four-door ‘ 00 Grand

Prix fit with a supercharged V-6 .

“ I just love this , and I have worked really hard and dedicated my life to this sport ,” says Vang . “ It ’ s awesome to be recognized for it as part of the 30 Under 30 , especially considering all the past honorees . It ’ s a group of really good racers and people in the sport , and it means a lot to have my name on that list .” – KELLY WADE DI

124 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 185