IEFFER SIMPSON grew up idolizing his grandfather , John Ulrey , a Super Stock racer who nearly went Pro Stock racing like his fellow Hoosier , the late Bob Glidden . Ulrey ’ s racing endeavors inspired Simpson to start racing Jr . Dragsters when he was old enough , and nearly 20 years later , he continues to race as a tribute to his grandpa .

“ He was my biggest example of why I wanted to go far in racing and do it for the rest of my life ,” says Simpson , 29 . “ Him and Bob Glidden were best friends , and an opportunity came up for one of them to go Pro Stock racing . They just wanted him , not him and all of his brothers . My grandpa said , ‘ No , you take me and my brothers or you don ’ t .’ He chose to ride with his brothers . That was one of my biggest motivators . I don ’ t know where I ’ m going , but I always want to be drag racing forever .”

Simpson dipped into his college savings fund to buy his first Jr . Dragster , a move that had a domino effect as Simpson ’ s four younger siblings eventually got into Jr . Dragsters as well . Between index racing and heads-up Outlaw 330 competition , Simpson racked up numerous wins , championships , and other accomplishments driving

November / December 2023

his own family cars or driving for other families . He also helped the Indianapolis Raceway Park team win the NHRA Jr . Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals as part of a group that also included past 30 Under 30 honorees Devin and Nick Isenhower .

Simpson also picked up experience as a crew member on an NMCA Nitrous Pro Street team and an NMCA Pro Mod team . While working with these teams , he met his now fiancée , 2019 30 Under 30 honoree and multi-time NMRA champion Haley James . In another moment that helped shape his future , Simpson got a behind-the-scenes look at Don Schumacher Racing ’ s graphic design setup , which inspired his college studies as well as the launch of Kieffer Simpson Designs .

Simpson ’ s future father-in-law , Dwayne James , took notice of Simpson ’ s hard work in the industry and as a crew member on the team ’ s Ultra Street car . When Haley qualified No . 1 at the Yellowbullet Nationals , Dwayne told Simpson he was looking at buying a second car and wanted Simpson to drive it . Simpson took the opportunity and ran with it , reaching the final round in Ultra Street at the 2021 Snowbirds at Bradenton before a breakout full rookie season in 2022 . Highlights included numerous holeshot round wins and a win at Donald Long ’ s Sweet 16 5.0 at South Georgia .

“ We don ’ t run NHRA races , so I would assume that it feels like winning the U . S . Nationals to an NHRA driver ,” says the Speedway , Indiana-based driver . “ That is kind of our ‘ granddaddy of them all .’ It ’ s obviously a very prestigious event . If you race in it , it ’ s a very , very intense feeling . At the time there was just a lot of personal stuff going on with some family stuff and it really meant the world when I won that .”

Simpson closed out the 2023 season with a hot streak that highlighted by a semifinal finish in Street Fighter at the Haltech World Cup Finals at Maryland and a runner-up finish in Quarter-Mile Elite at the Mod Nationals at Bradenton . He and James have also worked hard on their new business , 4.44 Custom Apparel .

Simpson ’ s big-picture goals include driving a Funny Car , Pro Mod , or Pro 275 car . But like his grandfather , Simpson realizes racing isn ’ t just about him . He ’ s determined to help others accomplish their goals , whether that ’ s his fiancée or his youngest brother , Klein , who races Jr . Dragsters when he ’ s not crewing on the Haley James Racing entries .

“ It means a lot to me when I see that kid win because he ’ s the youngest of five and he ’ s been through a lot , so it ’ s awesome when he just gets to focus on himself and win ,” says Simpson , who thanks his fiancée , Haley , and her father , Dwayne ; his mother , Kelli Ulrey ; brother Klein , crew member Johnny “ Drama ” Maguda , and his “ papa ,” John Ulrey , along with a long list of sponsors and supporters . – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI

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