Benton’s Brandon
Rudd is working
on his next
drag racing
championship

By Rick Burres
Tribune-Courier Sports Reporter
Rburres@tribunecourier.com

BENTON – A 12-year-old speed addict lives in Marshall County.

Brandon Rudd, of Benton, drives drag cars at 75 miles per hour.

Rudd, who is currently the bracket racing points leader in the Midwest Junior Dragrace Series, and second in index point racing, won a championship on points two years ago and is hoping to do the same this year.

Byron Rudd, Brandon’s father, said his son has loved cars and racing for as long as he can remember.

“I think he was born with a Matchbox car in his hand,” Byron said.

“He watched a Disney movie about kids drag racing when he was about seven and he told me he wanted to do it.”

Brandon has been racing formally since he was eight years old.

He has finished first and third in points for the Jr. Series the last two years.

Brandon said he doesn’t get scared when he races.

“I am really not afraid, just excited everytime I race,” Brandon said.

“I want to get better and better every time I go out.”

Byron is chief mechanic and pit crew and maintains his son’s car with the meticulous care only a father could provide.

“I have a gauge installed on the back of the car and it tells me about every breath the car takes while its running,” Byron said. We can run these cars all season long before we need to go through the engine.”

Jr. Series drag cars can cost upwards of $ 20,000.