DragChamp Racer Spotlight with Kyle Bigley

October 6, 2019October 7, 2019

Division 1 NHRA Super Comp champion Kyle Bigley is in the racer spotlight!

Kyle Bigley recently won his first NHRA national event title at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. The win came in his second national event final round appearance of the season.

After a successful career in the junior dragster ranks, Kyle has continued to excel in his Super Comp dragster. In 2018 he won multiple Lucas Oil races on his way to the Division 1 title. He also qualified for the JEGS Allstars.

You can read more about his JEGS Allstars experience here.

As season winds down, Kyle finds himself in the thick of the national championship hunt. We grabbed a few minutes of his time to learn more about this talented and determined young man.

Racer Spotlight with Kyle Bigley

How long have you been racing?

I’ve been racing since I was 10. I started in 8.90 junior class with my halfscale dragster.

How did you get introduced to the sport?

My dad got me into the sport. Growing up I was always super into cars and I liked the race car. He had a ’68 Chevelle that he footbraked. Back then it was towed on an open trailer to and from Island Dragway and Englishtown.

Which class or classes do you compete in? Where do you normally race?

After graduating from junior dragsters I went straight into my current car. A 2014 Undercover Dragster. I started racing it at 17 in Super Pro at Numidia Dragway and did that 3-4 years. Had a lot of fun and success and graduated up to Super Comp ranks where I currently reside. I do also plan to race in Super Street/Super Gas very soon…

Tell us about your current race car.

2014 Undercover Dragster and a 2002 MPR Super Stock Firebird are my current rides.

Please list your major racing accomplishments.

2x back-to-back Numidia Dragway junior dragster track champion
$5,000 shootout winner at Bristol ECF
4 Super Pro finals first year in a dragster
Multiple bracket race wins
1^st season in Super Comp full time won the Div. 1 Super Comp Championship
2019 JEGS Allstars Super Comp D1 Qualifier
Currently 2nd in world in contention for world championship
Currently 2nd in D1 in contention for back-to-back titles
Currently 2nd in JEGS Allstars 2020 running for D1 Super Comp

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

Get an MBA
Start a successful business
Travel the country / world
Win a world championship or two 😉
Win several more division championships
Drive a Pro-Stock/Pro-Mod

What is your favorite race car, and why?

My favorite race car probably has to be a Cobalt Super Stocker. Think Justin Lamb’s. I’ve always had an affinity for them.

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?

I don’t hate to see anyone in the other lane. In fact I look forward to racing people that I know are good or mentors or inspirations to me. Whether it was racing my buddy Anthony Fetch in the semifinal of the Maple Grove national, or Luke Bogacki at Indy, or Pete Biondo in a big money race where we were both sub 10 packages etc. I’ve always subscribed to the mantra of “to be the best you have to beat the best” and I intend to do so every time I line up to stage.

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

This is subjective to everyone. Some struggle on the starting line, others with the mental aspect and others with weather prediction. Most I would say struggle with the top end which I’ve been fortunate enough to count as one of my greatest strengths. I would say the hardest part is getting lucky when you need to be (pulling into the lanes right). I’ve been racing for over a decade and still haven’t figured that part out.

What’s your most embarrassing moment in a race car?

Easy. My first national event at Englishtown Raceway Park (RIP) I was going into the quarterfinals against my friend Mike Robilotto. It was my first national, and first time racing where NHRA started putting out mph cones at the 1000’ for Top Fuel. Needless to say, I lost track position at about 800 ft and totally brain farted and dumped at what I thought was the top end because I was WAY out there. Turns out I was only at 1000’ mph cone not the 1320. LOL. Last time I ever did that.

What are you saying to yourself just before you stage the car?

I have a routine that is similar to that of Luke’s where a mental cadence gets me in the zone. Something like this “ Stare deep into the bulb, see it and hit it, etc. etc.”

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

I love travelling throughout the country and seeing places I otherwise never would. I enjoy spending time at the track, seeing and talking to friends, etc.

Are you superstitious? If so, what are they?

I’m not a superstitious person, until it comes to racing. I am very superstitious when it revolves around racing and my routine.

I do everything exactly the same. From how I get ready in the morning, to how I fuel up, to the way I drive to the lanes, stage, etc. Everything is precise, calculated and accurate.

Racing is about consistency and that starts off the track. I also find having a regimented routine and being consistent in all aspects promotes confidence. Maybe that’s just for me.

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

I don’t hate to lose. I look at any time I lose as a neutral experience where I can learn from it and not repeat my mistake (if I made one). It should be a learning experience.

However, I love to win. I race to win and intend to win anytime I show up. If you’re not in it mentally or convinced you can’t then you have already lost in my opinion.

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?

I’m well versed but I definitely have to go with finish line every time.

What motivates you to continue racing?

Continuing to grow as a racer, winning more money, helping to promote my sponsors and gaining new ones, and crossing goals off the list. Racing takes a day to understand and a lifetime to master.

If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like? Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.

Showhauler Motorcoach, T&E Stacker, Super Comp Dragster, C7 Super Gas Roadster, and a Super Stock Cobalt.

How often do you use a practice tree?

Rarely. I hit it in the off season but not during season. My practice tree gets used 2-10 times before each round at the track.

What is your daily driver?

2003 GMC Envoy

Favorite movie or TV show?

Fav TV Show at the moment is MTV The Challenge. Best TV series ever though is Breaking Bad.

Besides racing, what do you do in your free time?

I enjoy snowboarding in the winter, and in my free time I usually am on the computer doing things related to business and finance.

Name one thing most people don’t know about you?

I’m extremely sarcastic and always joking/poking fun.

Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home?

I’m not a big crowd person. I keep my circle small and enjoy my alone time/time with close family and friends.

What’s your favorite thing to eat?

Hibachi or Italian. It’s a tie.

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?

All my sponsors and marketing partners starting with my Dad. KB Trailer Sales and Bryan Keller. Brandon at BTE. Numidia Dragway and entire Dimino family. Insinger Performance. Sunoco Race Fuels. Hoosier Tires. K&N and Steve Williams. Todd’s Extreme Paint. Alliance Racewear. Huntsvillle Engine. Lucas Oil and many others.