In a relatively short career, Reedville, Va. junior dragster competitor Nick Chiles has compiled a racing resume that would make many professionals jealous. He seeks to add another win to that impressive resume during the July 7-12 NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Gaged Engineering.
Chiles returns to Bristol Dragway after winning the 15-year-old division during the 2007 event. That win marked his second triumph at the Eastern Conference Finals; he earned his first victory in 2003. He also was runner-up in 2004 and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2005.
With a winning record like that, it would be hard to bet against Chiles to make another trip to the winner's circle at Bristol Dragway. He is, however, quick to point out that the road to victory isn't as easy as he makes it appear.
"I practice on the Porta-tree (a portable replica of the starting lights used to practice) and I have a great passion for it," he said. "I practice with it every day, and I get a lot of sleep and rest before I race. We also use the fun races at the track to help prepare us for the race."
"It is unbelievable [to win]. It is the one race you strive for all year and to win is a great achievement. It is great to race there and achieve it."
Chiles picked up his love for the sport from his father, who took him to the track at a young age. Chiles' older sister, Michelle, also is an accomplished racer, competing in a Top E.T. dragster. He already is competing in Super Stock and hopes to win a title in the category.
"This is my last year in juniors," he explained. "I would like to win the race again this year. I'm confident and hope to get a feel for the track. In the future, I still want to be in racing and would like to race in Pro Stock. I'm just trying to work my way up."
During the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, Chiles and his Virginia Motorsports Park teammates competed in honor of those that lost their lives at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. Each team member represented one of the students who perished that day.
"Two weeks before the event, our team was still deciding on our theme," said Nick's mother, Fran. "He read the biography of [victim] Brian Bluhm and said ‘I'm going to win this for Brian."
Chiles lived up to his promise, winning the largest Jr. Drag racing event in the country and the coveted "Wally" trophy. Chiles, though, had other plans for his trophy.
"After the race, I dedicated the trophy to Brian Bluhm and we called his family," he said. "They flew from their home in Ohio to the National event at Richmond, and I dedicated the Wally to his family at the starting line."
His mother says the act of generosity impacted more than just Bluhm's family.
"We were all very moved," she said. "It touched our hearts. We knew he wanted to honor them, but we never knew that he wanted to give his trophy to Bluhm's family. The team even gave their team trophy to Virginia Tech. The family was so touched. We even had other victims' families write to us to tell us how special it was. It was a great thing all the kids did. They even collected money to give to the families."
Chiles, a wide receiver for his school's football team, tutors kindergarten and Pre-K students during his spare time. He says he enjoys spending time helping kids, but his experiences in the cockpit of his race car are second to none.
"Running down the track is a huge rush and the sound of the motor is the best part," exclaimed Chiles. "Bristol is the best track in the NHRA and it is unbelievable the adrenaline you feel when your racing at Bristol; it can't beat any other race. That is the one event we look forward to during the year because it is Bristol."
Chiles, who admires John Force and Warren Johnson, has won five track championships, has earned runner-up finishes at the bracket finals and has collected three national event trophies in International Hot Rod Association competition.
"I've never seen anyone have so much passion for drag racing and the drag racers he admires," says his mom. "It is like he has always known he wanted to do this. It is good, but he is also very hard on himself. We've had a Porta-tree for the past seven years, so that is his practice, like piano lessons. He really is a nut about it and doesn't like losing."
"We really are proud of him, and our daughter, and this really helps hold our family together. I think this is why my kids are the way they are. We are in a sport where every family member gets to have input. It (drag racing) really is a great career path."
Chiles and more than 600 junior dragster competitors have been in competition during the weeklong O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Gaged Engineering.
The Junior Dragster Eastern Conference Finals is open to drivers from Divisions 1, 2 and 3, and select tracks in Division 4. Each NHRA member track may send up to three teams of 10 racers to participate in the race. Team members earn points for their home track, with the top scoring team winning the conference final.
Individual winners in each of the eight age categories - 8-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16-17 - receive a $5,000 savings bond and the coveted "Wally" trophy, featuring the likeness of NHRA founder Wally Parks. In addition, each member of the top scoring team will receive a $300 savings bond and a Wally.
Single day spectator passes are available for only $15. Kids six and under are free.
Time trials continue today. Gates open on Saturday at 8:00 with final eliminations beginning at 10:00 a.m.
For more information about the O'Reilly Auto Parts Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Gaged Engineering, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com