By: Foster Family Racing
BRISTOL, TN (June 9, 2024) — Through three days of the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals rookie of the year contender Brandon Foster was challenged running his Aqua Prop Pro Stock Camaro in a wide variety of conditions at Bristol Dragway. Through two days of qualifying on Friday and Saturday Foster and his Chevrolet Camaro powered by KB Titan Racing made four consistent runs that kept the business owner turned professional driver in the top half of the 16-car qualifier field. His best pass of 6.682 seconds was quick enough to position Foster as the No. 8 qualifier going into race day.
“We made four quality runs on Friday and Saturday in hot conditions,” said Foster. “You always want to go quicker. We wound up No. 8 so that gives us lane choice. I need to do my job and the car needs to get off the starting line. I felt comfortable in the Aqua Prop Camaro every run.”
photo credit NHRA/National Dragster
Heading into race day Foster drew Cristian Cuadra and the Corral Boots Ford Mustang Pro Stocker in the first round. Weather conditions changed overnight forcing all the Pro Stock teams to reevaluate their race day set ups. For Foster as half of the No. 8 versus No. 9 combo he knew he would be the first car to hit the track.
“When conditions change like they did overnight all the teams are having to make some educated guesses and since we were the first car out, we didn’t have a lot to go off,” said Foster. “I wanted to get off the line first and hope our team made the right calls. As soon as we launched, I knew I had my hands full.”
Foster and the Aqua Prop Camaro wadded up the Goodyear slicks pushing the Camaro towards the guard wall and forcing Foster to feather the throttle of the Aqua Prop Pro Stocker. Foster was able to straighten out his race car and attempt to chase down Cuadra. Unfortunately, Foster ran out of race track and his 6.971 second pass wasn’t enough to catch Cuadra’s 6.679 second run.
“I got off the throttle as soon as I could and got the Aqua Prop Camaro straightened out and back under power,” said Foster. “I was doing my best to chase down Cristian, but we just ran out of track. You can’t practice something like that, and I feel like I did a good job. It was a little like a wild ATV ride. I am just bummed we didn’t go more rounds.”
Foster is holding his own in a competitive rookie of the year class. Foster will stay in the Top Ten heading to the Virginia Nationals in two weeks. Exiting the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Foster has multiple round wins and has been a strong qualifier at every race he has entered. As the series makes its turn into the summer Foster will be geared up for a run for the Pro Stock championship.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 6.683 sec, 204.73 mph; Qual. 8
Q2: 6.673 sec, 205.35 mph; Qual. 8
Q3: 6.682 sec, 205.76 mph; Qual. 8
Q4: 6.711 sec, 204.82 mph; Qual. 8
Bonus Points: 0
Race Results
First Round
Cristian Cuadra, Leon, Mexico, Corral Boots Ford Mustang, (.040), 6.679 sec, 205.16 def.
Brandon Foster, Owasso, Okla., Aqua Prop Camaro, (.092), 6.971 sec, 204.23 mph
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Pro Stock
- Dallas Glenn 697
- Greg Anderson 676
- Erica Enders 662
- Jeg Coughlin Jr. 567
- Aaron Stanfield 484
- Troy Coughlin Jr 441
- Jerry Tucker 432
- Cristian Cuadra 386
- David Cuadra 307
- Brandon Foster 298
