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Vance Usilton Black Magic
a lot ,” he says . When he came back for his sophomore season , he turned on a few win lights , then picked up a win . He also qualified for the SBRA points and earned the opportunity to compete in the series finale at Mason Dixon Dragway in Maryland . “ That was probably my funniest experience in racing to date . I went to the quarter-finals twice and the semis twice , and went home with some money !”
Some of his fondest memories include his father and mother loading up the family in the winter and heading to Florida with Black Magic in tow . His parents pull him out of school and take his homework with them , allowing them to compete in races at Bradenton and West Palm Beach .
“ The beaches , fishing and racing are awesome ... I can ’ t get enough of it ,” he says .
Back home in Maryland is where Usilton sometimes feels like a fish out of water . “ The rich kids at the preppy private school I attend call me ‘ redneck !’” he laughs . “ That ’ s fine , they really don ’ t understand how complex this sport is .”
As he makes the transition from Jr . Dragsters to full-bodied cars , this second-generation racer hopes to put a spell on the older folks when he enters Top Eliminator competition at U . S . 13 Dragway later this year .
- VAN ABERNETHY DI
September 2018 DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 111