With so many drag-and-drive events, no-prep heads up TV shows and the like, sportsman and grassroots drag racing is truly reaching a new crescendo. We’re seeing a bigger resurgence in performance enthusiasts throwing down at the 1/8th and 1/4-mile tracks than in decades – and that’s something to be excited about.

As interest (and attendance) continues to grow, so comes the attention from some of the biggest names. Recently, Sox & Martin announced it would be sponsoring the Mopar Bracket Racers competing at the annual Thanksgiving Footbrake Challenge at Piedmont Dragway in Julian, North Carolina.

Sox & Martin will pony up the purse for this class as the Thanksgiving Footbrake Challenge will be putting up a substantial payout ($20,000 for the winner!) during this two-day event. If you’re one to put your money where your mouth is, it’s looking like Piedmont Dragway is the place to be November 29-30th, 2024.

Here’s the original press release:
Mopar Bracket Racers competing at the annual two-day Thanksgiving Footbrake Challenge will be eligible for up to a $400 bonus courtesy of Sox & Martin for going the furthest in eliminations per day. This grassroots drag race, held November 29-30, 2024, at Piedmont Dragway in Julian, North Carolina, is one of the biggest bracket races in the country. With a substantial payout each day of $20,000 for winner, and $5000 for runner-up, the Thanksgiving Footbrake Challenge is one of the most prestigious bracket races in the country.

“Grassroots Bracket Racing is the heart and soul of this great sport, and we want to show our support for these hardworking competitors,” said Mike McCandless, Founder and CEO of The McCandless Collection. “My nephews are hardcore bracket racers and have done a fantastic job in continuing the family tradition of drag racing. We want to grow the sport and encourage more Mopar racers to come out and compete at this awesome event.” 

The annual Thanksgiving Footbrake Challenge has been held at Piedmont Dragway since 2003 and has had a loyal following of bracket racers. This event is eighth-mile competition, five-tenths full tree, footbrake only, no electronics, single class, and dial-in. The Thanksgiving Footbrake Challenge is now run by Jared Pennington and his partner Steve Stites who have put on some of the biggest money bracket races in the country.

“We’re looking forward to upholding this longstanding Thanksgiving race as it’s become a tradition for many racers. Steve (Stites) and I are excited to be taking over this great event and taking it to the next level. We’re both drag racers and know what they like and expect when entering a race. Our number one goal is not to mess it up while earning the racer’s trust,” noted Jared Pennington, owner of Coalburg Racing Promotions.

For detailed information on Thanksgiving Footbrake Challenge, competitors can go to www.worldfootbrakechallenge.comor call 1-205-612-3502 or 662-587-3581. Fans can also watch the event for free on YouTube atwww.youtube.com/@motormaniaTV.