“I knew it was going to be a shootout for the win,” said VP Fuels Semi-Pro Division driver Brody Gunter after securing his first win at the Cook Out Summer Shootout. “It was a last-lap fight for the win, so I knew it would be one of us wrecking or going for it.”
After four years of trying to take the checkered flag and feeling like a win in the Cook Out Summer Shootout would never happen, it finally came during Round 4. Completing a high-octane pass in Turn 4, helped Gunter overcome the odds and secure his first 'unreal' Summer Shootout win. Letting out a ‘sigh of relief,’ Gunter took his first trip to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Victory Lane.
“This is my first national win,” said Gunter in victory lane. “I want to thank my mom and dad plus everyone on the back of this race car for helping me be able to do this.”
Gunter’s passion for racing began at just six years old when he stepped foot into a quarter midget for the first time. After wheeling for seven years, Gunter made the jump to a Legend Car and, with it, started to look towards the family business of mowing lawns to help offset the price difference. Using any money he made to fund his newfound love of Legend Cars, Gunter has learned valuable lessons in both hard work and determination.
"I would say take pride in everything you do," said Gunter. "It's [mowing lawns] very backbreaking work, and it's definitely been very exhausting. It's helped me build up my endurance and strength."
Using his lawn mowing funds to power his No. 01 machine, Gunter joined the world’s top grassroots racers at Summer Shootout in 2021. With hitting the road each Sunday for Tuesday’s race day before trekking back to Starke, Florida, on Wednesdays, it has been a true family effort for the Gunters.
"My parents always say, if you want to get anywhere in racing, North Carolina is the place to do it,” said Gunter. "I appreciate everything that they [his parents] do. I don't think I could ever pay them back for how much they've sacrificed.”
As he continues to create his legacy, Gunter uses his summers at the historic quarter-mile as a stepping stone to fulfill his passion for competitive racing.
"It's amazing to come here [Charlotte Motor Speedway] every year and experience it, whether it be the track, the event or just the memories that are made along the way, it's just indescribable," said Gunter.
From lawnmowers to Legend Cars, Gunter has become the person he is today from the lessons he's learned in pursuit of his dream.
NEXT UP:
Next Tuesday, July 16, Charlotte Motor Speedway will debut its first Cook Out Summer Shootout Camping Nigh, presented by Dilling Heating & Cooling. Come pitch a tent and watch some blazing drivers race to earn their badges on the track. Post-race, select troops will put their Scout skills to the test with infield camping.
ABOUT COOK OUT SUMMER SHOOTOUT:
Cook Out Summer Shootout is a 10-race showcase of speed among eight different divisions of Legend Cars and Bandoleros. Races are held each Tuesday night, with drivers accumulating points throughout the summer towards a season-ending championship.
TICKETS:
Scouts who come in uniform get FREE admission to Round 8. Tickets are $10; kids 12 and under get in FREE. For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets.
KEEP TRACK:
Follow all the thrilling Cook Out Summer Shootout action at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.
