Photo courtesy Robert Grice, Extreme Photography
For many in the NHRA community, a question that is often bantered about “Where is the next generation coming from?” many times goes unanswered. Yet a look around the pits at any divisional or national event will find several up and coming young drivers, from the pros on down into the sportsman ranks.
If you go searching in the Comp pits at races in the southern part of the U.S., you will more than likely find a very young man working on a very quick B/SMA Pontiac with his dad. That young man, (with manners most parents would kill for their children to have) is 16-year-old Chase Williams, second-generation driver of the Bramblett Auto Parts sponsored Pontiac.
Having spent his entire life around dad Greg’s Super Stock and Comp eliminator cars, the natural progression into the drivers seat would seem a natural. But for this high school sophomore the trip from youngster, to able assistant, to driver, has taken a path that many would not consider a natural progression.
With the advent of the Jr. Dragster program, many young drivers have spent considerable time in front of a Briggs and Stratton honing their skills, but that was short lived for this young Texan. While he admits to spending some time in the Junior program, it just wasn’t the direction that he wanted to go. Dad’s series of racecars since the late 80’s had already prepped this up and coming driver for action somewhat more intense than the junior program could offer.
Running out of the family business, Bramblett Auto Parts (an automotive salvage and recycling facility in Carthage, TX) young Chase had already become accustomed to the rigors of Comp eliminator by the time he was old enough to take over the wheel, and the lessons learned early in life are already paying dividends. Competing in the two season opening events at Belle Rose and Memphis, Chase has managed to put several rounds of eliminations together and currently finds himself fifth in the highly competitive division 4 points chase.
Yet unlike many drag race oriented teens, Chase doesn’t have a hopped up streetcar for everyday use. In pure Texas style, his everyday driver is a Ford F150, but even that means of transportation has reasons behind it. You see, Chase Williams is also taking after his uncle, 5-time PBR Stockman of the year Terry Williams, and is raising bulls for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) rodeo circuit. Young Chase actually gave bull riding a shot-with some early success, but mom had the final say, deciding that the inside of a racecar was much safer than on the back of a bucking bull
A straight A student, Chase Williams has his sights set on continuing education at Texas A & M University. As long as the grades stay at the level they are, Mom (Judy) and Dad will continue to support his efforts both on track, and at the ranch. With the drive and determination this man is showing in his early years, his dream of someday landing a ride in Pro Stock will most certainly come true.
And that, as they say, is no bull
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