Brandi Bender
Brandi Bender

Brandi Bender
Mesa, AZ

Driver Information

I didn't grow up in a racing family. I was never into sports, I didn't really know what I wanted to be when I grew up. My family and I went to Fremont Speedway and Attica Raceway all the time when I was growing up. I was inspired by a new kid who started racing at Fremont one summer night in 2011, only 14 years old and making his first start in a sprint car. I told myself if he can do it, I can do it too. For the next couple of months I wrote myself a parts list of everything I thought I would need to start my racing career. Non-stop I was on parts websites writing down prices and adding new things to my list. I wanted to race so bad, but it was just me and my mom. We didn't have a truck, trailer or a clue really. I lived in Michigan at the time so we weren't very close to many race tracks.

Shortly after, we moved out to Arizona where I still reside today. My dreams had to be set aside for a short time while we settled in. It wasn't long before we went spectated at our first race in Arizona. We found (formerly) USA Raceway in Tucson and Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria. Soon after, we discovered Arizona Speedway. Canyon was the closest track to us so we went out there quite often. They usually had some sort of race car sitting on the concourse for fans to check out. I was always there checking it out whether it was a sprint car or modified.

The only option I had to begin my racing career was indoor kart racing. In the beginning it was here and there, whenever we had the money and time. I would go to any karting track there was in the Phoenix area. I started a couple karting leagues to get a better feel of racing. I did that for 2 years, and also had a chance to drive a dwarf car in the midst of it. Once I got to drive the dwarf car the first time, I was hooked. I slowly started to meet people in the racing community, one of them being Collin Bender. Collin's family really helped kick off my racing career. I bought an older modlite that needed some work to get it running again. We fixed it up well enough so I could get out to the track and practice. Practice was they key word for the first half of 2016 with the car.

I finally made my first race in July 2016 at Arizona Speedway. Granted the car overheated, resulting in a DNF. I raced a handful more races in 2016 and my first full season in 2017. I sold the car at the end of 2017 and bought a new to me car in 2018.It has been a learning curve, struggle, nights filled with high's and low's. I have been in that car ever since and I have had an absolute blast.

Hobbies


Racing
DRD Graphics assistant

Favorites

  • TrackCentral Arizona Raceway
  • DriverTom Berry Jr
  • EventSuper nats
  • FoodCarne Asada Tacos
  • MovieThe Blind Side
  • Sports TeamMichigan Wolverines

Recommendations

  • RestaurantTexas Roadhouse
  • Fast FoodCulvers
  • BeverageSprite