Story By: ELON WERNER / FOSTER FAMILY RACING – OWASSO, OK – NHRA Pro Stock rookie Brandon Foster will add his name to list of Pro Stock competitors and legends who have raced at the famed Bristol Dragway in the heart of Thunder Valley this weekend at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
The business owner from Oklahoma is chasing his dream of Pro Stock success racing the Aqua Prop Chevrolet Camaro powered by KB Titan Racing. So far this season Foster is holding his own in one of the toughest professional categories on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
Brandon Foster and the Aqua Prop Camaro will be looking for more win lights this weekend at the Thunder Valley Nationals, photo credit Tori Iacono
“This season has been a whirlwind,” said Foster, after his first race at historic New England Dragway last weekend. “Every race I am at a new track figuring out everything from how wide the groove is to where you park your rental car. The best part for me is getting in that Aqua Prop Camaro. That is the one thing that is the same at every track. That race car is becoming like home for me.”
Foster is making his run for Rookie of the Year against some strong competition, but he is holding his own. Sitting in the Pro Stock Top Ten after seven races and picking up a handful of round wins along the way. He is improving every weekend behind the wheel, and he knows that he can continue to challenge himself on and off the track.
“I just need to keep making passes and staying focused,” said Foster. “Luckily, I have a great team and I am really putting a lot of energy into getting better in every facet of racing. There are so many details you have to stay on top of. I think the fact that I have built companies from the ground up is a big plus because a lot of time the devil is in the details. It’s the same with racing.”
The Pro Stock history is not lost on Foster. Since 2007 the track has been naming drivers, team owners and drag racing contributors as their Bristol Dragway Legends of Thunder Valley. Rickie Smith, Pro Stock and Pro Mod driving legend, was in the inaugural class in 2007 and the next year Pro Stock royalty Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin were recognized. Five years later, Warren Johnson’s name was added to the grandstands recognizing one of the greatest Pro Stock drivers, tuners and team owners to have ever grabbed the shifter.
“You hear about the Pro Stock history at Bristol Dragway and it is just really cool,” said Foster. “I just want to win rounds and have fun, but when you hear about the guys that came before you there is a lot respect for them. I love this class and I think it is one of the toughest in all of drag racing.”
On Saturday, Bristol Dragway will host the popular Fan Fest in the Pits, where Foster along with many of the top drivers will be available to meet with fans and sign autographs. The event will begin 30 minutes after the final pro qualifying session and will be held in the large Guest Welcome Center tent in the pro pit area.
“Getting to meet the fans has been one of the coolest parts of racing this season,” said Foster. “I am a new driver and when kids come up and want an autograph or photo beside the car that is just so cool. I am looking forward to the Saturday night autograph session for sure.”
Qualifying for the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals begins Friday, June 7 with a pair of pro sessions, the first at 4 p.m. and the second under the lights at 7 p.m. The final two rounds of qualifying are set for Saturday, June 8, at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and will include the new bonus program Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, June 9.
Friday’s 90-minute qualifying show will air on FS1 at 7 p.m. (ET) and be followed by another 90-minute qualifying show on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (ET), also on FS1. Sunday’s three-hour final eliminations show will air at 7 p.m. (ET) on FS1.