Brad Anderson
Before putting his driving suit in the closet for good at the end of the 1991 season, Anderson managed to collect 24 top alcohol funny car race victories, becoming the categories first three-time series champion (1984, 1985, 1989), and was among the first 16 alcohol funny car drivers to run in the five seconds ET. He also won 18 NHRA Division 7 Titles.
The first of Anderson’s wins came at the 1981 Winternationals in Pomona, not far from his home and shop. He added two more wins before the season’s end. He won at least one national event for 10 consecutive years. Most of the wins were collected when the NHRA National Event Schedule consisted of 12 to 19 races instead of the 24 of today.
Brad dominated en route to his first season title in 1984, winning six of the 12 national events, including the first of three US Nationals triumphs. His own winner’s circle photos came at Gainesville FL, Bowling Green KY, Denver CO, Brainerd MN, and Pomona CA.
He opened 1985 with a Winternationals win and took home title trophies at Baton Rouge and Indy for the second straight time to clinch another series crown. Brad added two more three-win seasons, including 1989, his final championship campaign. His last US Nationals win was in 1987.
Brad is married to Carol, and they have three children Leanne, Randy, and Shelley.
BAE cylinder heads remain the staple as Anderson supplies parts to a large percentage of the top fuel and funny car fields and 85% of the alcohol dragster teams.