For one Kingsport resident, Winner's Circle at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals may begin to feel like a second home. Brandon Hall, 19, raced his way to the top spot in the POWERade Fan Nationals for the second consecutive season Sunday, May 18.
Competitors in the Fan Nationals race in Funny Car simulators located in Nitro Alley during the event. The simulators feature a popular NHRA video game and the racers with the fastest times throughout the weekend are invited back on Sunday afternoon for final eliminations. At the end of the day, Hall faced a familiar opponent, his brother Bobby.
Bobby, 24, couldn't match his younger brother, as Brandon raced away to victory.
"It was awesome to win this race two years in a row," said Hall. "You get in and put the steering wheel on, and they shut the door. You hit the brake and the car stages. Once the light goes green, you hit the gas and you have to keep the car in the groove or you go into tire shake. You have to keep the car straight and have a good light to win.
"Having a good reaction time is the secret. I got the reaction time award again this year."
Fan Nationals winners at each of the NHRA National event races are invited, along with one guest, to Pomona, Calif. to slug it out to become the ultimate champion Nov. 13-16. During last year's finals, Hall and his brother received the royal treatment.
"It was the first plane ride for me and my brother," said Hall. "They had posters of us everywhere around the track, which made us feel pretty cool. We went to the Wally Parks Museum and they had great food for us, and we stayed at an awesome hotel. They let us meet the drivers and be introduced during driver introductions.
"I was the number 16 qualifier, but I ended up second overall."
After the promising finish in 2007, Hall is excited about returning to Pomona for another crack at the top spot.
"I'm bringing the trophy back home to Bristol," he said. "I want revenge this year. I think I can gain that one spot."
Competing in the Fan Nationals gives Hall the chance to come one step closer to his dream.
"I love drag racing," he said. "It is one of the things I've always wanted to do. I want to drive Pro Stock, and to have a chance to go back to Pomona is a dream come true.
"Winning this is one of the best things to happen to me. It was a once in a lifetime dream that happened twice."
For more information about Bristol Dragway, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.