Greeley West senior Bradly Rainwater spends much of his time in FFA in school. However, outside of school when the light turns green Bradly Rainwater hits the gas on the drag racing strip.
Over the summer, Rainwater competed at the drag racing strip in Julesburg, Colorado, driving his 1968 Chevy Nova. The car, referred to as a “fat tire”, is specifically built for racing. Its interior has been “gutted” or stripped down to one seat, and it uses a quick shift system with only two gears.
The car has an outstanding performance potential. Rainwater recorded a quarter-mile run at 9.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 160 miles per hour.
Rainwater expressed that his interest in drag racing began several years ago. “I got into drag racing through friends at hockey and had always been an interest,” he said.
He added that while the racing itself is exciting, the work behind the scenes matters just as much. “The best part is working with my friends and family on the car and seeing all of our hard work pay off. Also the environment at the track when not racing feels like a great big family,” Rainwater said.
Balancing his time between school, FFA, and racing, Rainwater continues to pursue his interest in motorsports while keeping up with his responsibilities as a student. He said drag racing is more than just a weekend activity, it’s something that brings both community and competition together.
As Rainwater prepares for his final year at Greeley West, he plans to continue racing and improving his times on the track. For him, drag racing is not only about speed but also about teamwork, dedication, and being a part of a larger racing community.
