part 2

With that final win light, Burch etched his name in the history books as the winner of the biggest single-event payout in the sport’s history. While the final 15 entrants split the purse to spread the wealth around a bit, Burch and Dadas, who allegedly has only $7,000 in the Ford Ranger Burch drove to victory, took home $160,000 for their efforts, while Ezell walked away with $140,000 for his runner-up showing.



So what’s next for Burch, who is still wearing a smile you could hear through the phone?

“The World Footbrake Championship in Bristol!”

As any good racer will tell you, when you’re on a roll, you keep hitting the big events. While he was using the delay box and hitting the top bulb at the SFG event, Burch’s years behind the wheel of a junior dragster have shaped him into a formidable bottom-bulb racer, as well, and he’s hoping to cash in yet again while he’s riding this wave of win lights. “When you’re on a roll, you just keep hittin’em until you’re not,” said Burch.

“I have to thank the people that made this possible,” added Burch. “My parents stepped back from their own racing careers to let me race, and without them making that sacrifice, I would definitely not be the racer I am today. I also have to thank Matt Dadas for letting a 19-year-old kid stage up his truck and race for $525,000. I hadn’t even sat in this truck before this weekend, so I appreciate him taking that chance on me.”



Burch and Dadas also compiled a list of sponsors who helped make the Ranger do its thing: Mickey Thompson put a new set of tires on for the weekend, and Wiseco Performance, Trickflow, Powermaster, Rock’s Speedway Performance, Rick Cole Racing and TFC Transportation all contributed to the effort. Gage also personally thanked Dadas and Carly, along with BJ Bianchi and another seasoned pro bracket racer, Gary Williams, who has been his mentor and friend.

It seems like a safe assumption that we have witnessed the coming-out party of the next “big name” in bracket racing. Maybe it’s time for Gage Burch to be branded with a cool nickname to celebrate his status. Gage “Biggest Payday EVER” Burch doesn’t quite roll off the tongue as well as “Johnny Bracket Racer”, but I’m willing to bet Burch’s friends and fellow racers can come up with something that fits.