Alan Bradshaw thumbed through the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Media Guide looking for his profile and he couldn’t find it. Finally, he gave up and inquired as to why he couldn't find his listing. 

Bradshaw wasn’t listed; so during the final qualifying session at the NHRA Gatornationals, he made his name impossible to forget.

Bradshaw drove his Vis-A-Vista-sponsored dragster to the top qualifying position with a 4.547 elapsed time at 306.95 miles per hour.
His qualifying success comes one event after a DNQ in Phoenix.

“This is another way to earn a few stripes,” Bradshaw said. “We left Phoenix with our heads hung low. Our team made a pact and we tested the day after the event. We were determined not to race again until this car would run.”

Alan Bradshaw thumbed through the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Media Guide looking for his profile and he couldn’t find it. Finally, he gave up and inquired as to why he couldn't find his listing. 

Bradshaw wasn’t listed; so during the final qualifying session at the NHRA Gatornationals, he made his name impossible to forget.

Bradshaw drove his Vis Viva-sponsored dragster to the top qualifying position with a 4.547 elapsed time at 306.95 miles per hour.
His qualifying success comes one event after a DNQ in Phoenix.

“This is another way to earn a few stripes,” Bradshaw said. “We left Phoenix with our heads hung low. Our team made a pact and we tested the day after the event. We were determined not to race again until this car would run.”

The top position came at a cost. Bradshaw exploded an engine as he went through the lights.

“We’re chasing some fuel system issues, but we’re getting closer to making the wick longer,” Bradshaw admitted. “We hope we can get it to the finish line under power the next few runs without blowing it up. We’re number one and that’s all that matters tonight.”

Hey, if you can’t be quick – then be spectacular. He was both on Saturday.

“I’m from Texas, if we want something, we go for it all,” Bradshaw said. “We’re taking no prisoners and doing what we have to do. This team has busted their butts to make this car run fast.”

The team actually wounded another engine in the first session.

“We came back and put another bullet in there,” Bradshaw said. “We came back after blowing it up the second time and we were giving high-fives. They said, ‘Just keep feeding it parts.”

 

Bradshaw worked his way into the Top Fuel division following years of success in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks. Today’s mechanical misadventure was the difference, he pointed out, between panicking and driving to the pole position.

“I believe I’ve gained a ton of experience from bracket racing and especially in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks,” Bradshaw said. “Okay, so the car went from ‘A’ to ‘B’ and it blew up. You still have to keep your game face on.

“I blew the engine and felt the car wobble around and vibrate. The flames came forward over my head and you can’t tell me the experience from racing Top Alcohol Dragster didn’t help me prepare for that situation. You’re gonna need that experience when you fall into a ‘rut-ro!’ situation.”