Bristol Dirt Nationals was a family affair for Bradly Graham

​     Bradly Graham of Victor, formerly of Brooklyn, races his number 2G hobby stock race car at the 2022 Bristol Dirt Nationals last month, where he won every heat race he was in and finished in the top 5 in the qualifying races. He finished sixth overall in the A Main feature race.

By J.O. Parker
 
       Bradly Graham, 26, took his new number 2G red, white and black Hobby Stock race car to the 2022 Bristol Dirt Nationals and ended up bringing home some top hardware.
      Bradly, who was joined at the nationals by his parents, Brad and Michelle Graham, and brother, Jordan, who served as crew chief, all from Brooklyn, said racing on the half-mile oval at Bristol was surreal.
      “I really enjoyed being there,” said Bradly, who was raised in Brooklyn and now calls Victor home. “The highlight was having my family there and all the community support back home.”
       Bradly, who started racing figure 8 cars when he was 15, built the hobby stock race car with his dad, who sold his figure 8 car last year to help his son follow his dream.
      “We put that car together, hoping we could qualify for the big show (A Main) and Bradly ended up winning every heat race he was in and finished in the top 5 in the qualifying races,” said Brad.
     Bradly raced against 40 cars in the Hobby Stock class at Bristol, finishing sixth overall in the A Main feature.
     Bradly’s dad started racing figure 8 cars at local and area tracks 25 years ago. Bradly would tag along and naturally became interested in the sport of racing as a young boy.
     He started with figure 8 and then at age 18 moved up to the sport mod class and circle track racing by age 19. Bradly has been racing in the hobby stock class for the last 5 years. 
     A hobby stock race car is based on stock production car such as a Chevrolet Monte Carlo and they have a stock chassis. The car has a number of modifications such as a roll cage, race seat, safety belts and a fuel cell. The cars can reach speeds of 100 mph and are powered by 8-cyclinder Chevrolet engines that are purchased in a crate directly from the manufacture.
     In Iowa, Bradly races at race tracks in Marshalltown, Boone, Vinton, Oskaloosa and all around the state of Iowa.
     “Just being there was magical,” said Michelle. “Being at a NASCAR track where all the legendary drivers have raced was an amazing experience.”
      “We are going to bring a car back (to Bristol) next year,” said Bradly.

​       Bradly Graham of Victor, formerly of Brooklyn, is ready to race at the 2022 Bristol Dirt Nationals. Graham started racing figure 8 cars at age 15, moving up to the sport mod class at age 18 and the hobby stock class at age 19. This year marked the first time Bradly has raced at Bristol. He and his family plan to return in 2023.