OOPER CHUN possesses a mature perspective that contradicts the typical mindset of most 20-year-olds , but his optimistic outlook becomes even more inspiring when you dive into his anything-but-average story .

Like many others in the sport , Chun was born and raised in a drag racing family led by his grandfather and father , who passed on their knowledge and skills along with their shared first name , David . After a successful eight-year stint behind the wheel of a Jr . Dragster , Chun effortlessly switched to competing in his Mullis dragster and 1993 Fox-body Mustang at 16 years old .

The Vancouver , Washington , native continued succeeding , earning a Super Pro track championship at both Woodburn Dragstrip and Portland International Raceway in 2022 and winning the NHRA Super Pro Race of Champions in Division 6 . That victory secured a spot to compete for the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship in Las Vegas , but he would find himself with a more challenging event to conquer first .

Shortly after returning home from his Race of Champions win , Chun visited the doctor due to recurring right hip pain and was diagnosed with cancer at only 18 years old . His opponent ,

Ewing Sarcoma , is a rare type of bone cancer that typically affects children and young adults , with an incidence of approximately 200 cases per year . After the initial shock and raw feelings of emotion , he recalls having the urge to fight in order to make his future a reality .

“ I had a week or two of being really sad , but then it was kind of like the only way to get better is to go through it and take it head-on ,” says Chun . “ The main thing that got me through it was racing . I knew if I could get through this , I could get back to racing .”

His first chemotherapy treatments fell on the same week as the NHRA national championship , so instead of competing , he began an eight-month battle of defeating cancer , regaining strength , relearning to walk , and finally getting back into his race car . In May of 2023 , Chun returned to the driver ’ s seat of his door car , and two months later , he competed in a double divisional in the Super Comp ranks . His comeback delivered joy and first-time jitters all over again , but it was soon evident that he was exactly where he needed to be . When asked about a preference between his two vehicles , Chun quips , “ At the end of the day , if it ’ s a race car , it ’ s going to be fun regardless .”

Fast forward two years into the present , Chun is a thriving second-year college student working towards an accounting degree . He mentions that it is merely a backup plan to appease his mother , Traci , in case a career in drag racing doesn ’ t pan out . As his on-track talent continues to rise , it seems that having a financial background will most likely be used to count his future winnings .

Chun recently secured his most significant win after dominating 618 entries during TBM Brakes Tuesday of the Million Dollar Drag Race . Celebrating his $ 20,000 victory on one of the most prestigious stages in bracket racing continues to be a surreal experience for the young racer .

“ While growing up in Juniors , in October , it was all about The Million ,” Chun explains . “ I watched in class when I shouldn ’ t have , stayed up late watching it , and we would even have parties to watch Million Dollar Friday . That is what I did growing up . Being able to win there is something that I never thought I would accomplish … it ’ s something out of my wildest dreams .”

As a West Coast native with aspirations of big-money bracket racing , Chun is certainly equipped with a different type of dedication . He recently embarked on a 40-day racing excursion , which included the Million , the Fall Fling , thousands of miles , and nearly 40 hours of travel from Tennessee back to Washington . The soft-spoken but fiercely talented competitor continues to make a name for himself and imagines he will eventually move to a central location to pursue his goals . In the meantime , he chooses to focus on the present and camaraderie and has learned not to sweat the small stuff .

“ Not everything is so serious ,” Chun explains . “ At the end of the day , win or lose , for me at least , just being at the racetrack and hanging out with my buddies is something I have to be grateful for . Win lights are great and part of the reason why we are there , but if you have bad results on the racetrack , it shouldn ’ t ruin your weekend . After cancer , it really reiterated that just being able to race and hang out with friends is the most important thing .” – JESSICA HICKS SPEARS DI

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