By Caitlin Wolfe
DouglasNow.com
A 17-year-old Douglas native, Brayden Davis, is making some big noise in the racing world. Brayden, a Coffee High School 11th grader and motorcycle drag racer, just recently made history in the PDRA organization by “doubling up” and winning the Pro JR Dragster and Pro Nitrous races. These races took place in North Carolina the first weekend of April and turned into a great start to the month for the Davis family.
Brayden is a third generation motorcycle drag racer. Both his grandfather and father played a big role in his interest for racing and it looks like he is following in their footsteps. According to Brayden and his mom, he started racing at just eight years old and gives a lot of the credit to his father, Travis. “He’s the best. He’s a legend,” says Brayden, when asked about the influence his father has had on not only his racing career but his everyday life.
According to Brayden and his mom, there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes leading up to the take off of every race. They state that not one person can do it alone. Whether they are traveling to Florida, North Carolina, or even Michigan, Brandy Davis says that when it comes to racing, “99% of the time, we’re always together.”
Brayden’s mom stated he didn’t qualify for a race for two years. However, he never let it stop him. According to his mom, Brayden is constantly studying and learning from not only his racing videos, but those of other racers as well. That hard work and perseverance is paying off for Brayden, and he is headed to another race this month in Virginia. “I have to stay focused. I’m up there to win,” says Brayden on how he stays so determined.
When asked about his racing goals and where he wants to see this take him in the future, Brayden states he hopes to one day ride in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle races or “the big leagues” as he calls it. He states, “Why am I going to slow down? If you tell me I can’t do it, I’m gonna do it.” Clearly, Brayden Davis is doing just that while giving all of his thanks to his large support system on and off the race track.