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Driver Profile: Brady Forbrook

Driver Profile: Brady Forbrook
Saturday, June 25, 2022
by Joanne Cram

21-year-old third generation driver, Brady Forbrook has made an impressive mark in his debut in the 360 class at Knoxville Raceway. Missing from action from the past couple races however, the team is hoping to regroup after a horrific crash while racing at Jackson Motorplex the end of May. Brady and his family reside in Morgan, Minnesota, where all three generations have lived and built their lives around motorsports; whether it be sprint cars, go karts, 4 wheelers, or snowmobiles. This family’s passion for speed has been well engrained. Along with his dad, Guy, Brady’s grandpa Dick was a racer as well. Brady was raised with his sister, Madyson in a close-knit family by his dad and grandparents, Grandma Jeri and Grandpa Dick.

Brady is more than just a racer, he has a college degree to his name. He graduated last May from South Dakota State in Construction Management to fall back on if his racing goals fall short, but he has hopes and dreams of being a full-time racer. Living in rural Minnesota he works a local farming job in the summer and fall that allows him flexibility to race as much as he wants to, as well as work the hours that allow him to earn what he needs to keep racing. The off season gives the team the down time they need to build cars and get the program going building sponsors and partnerships.

Growing up in a race family where your grandpa and dad both raced sprint cars (Dick raced in the 60’s and 70’s, Guy raced in the 80’s and then went into crew chief/car ownership roles), it wasn’t surprising that the third generation would wind up behind the wheel of something. Brady started in go-karts at a track about 15 miles from home at age seven. He raced for 4-4 1/2 years and was highly successful. The team had over 100 wins and won the track championship each year they raced. The track is now closed- but is now ran by Schwanke Engines. Brady has great memories of his childhood racing there. “I remember it being small, 7 second laps, super high banked. Got into 6 seconds one night!”

After graduation last year, some of the teams Brady worked for included Ayrton Gennetten in March and April, then Keith Kunz Motorsports on micros and midgets through Chili Bowl. “We traveled Indy to Oklahoma, to Missouri, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey; all over. We won 36 races with the team. I learned a lot, the most I’ve ever learned in one year in my life. Keith is so easy to learn from. He’s so fun to work with and one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. He’s super easy going.”

Bringing Brady up to the current 2022 season, he was ready to get behind the wheel again and drive. “Dad got things going with Precision Tool and 168 Manufacturing Fisher Motor from a summer ago and said I could run it.” They had a strong start at Knoxville this season, racing the first three weeks. Brady’s best finish was 6th and set quick time twice and was second quick the other night. They also raced at Jackson May 21st where he timed 3rd quick, finished 4th in the heat, and then in the feature he made contact with another car and flipped violently down the front stretch. “We broke everything. We had to cut the car in half to get the motor out. The rear end broke in half,” said Brady. The engine seemed to check out okay and the team is waiting on parts to put a new car together. Guy and Brady hope to have the car back together by end of July in time for 360 Nationals.

The team supporting Brady’s race career include his Dad, Guy Forbrook and Brady’s buddy, Riley Reding from Morgan, who has been helping since beginning of sprint car racing.

Brady’s long-term goals with racing are to keep driving open wheel cars and win as many races as possible. He would love to race midgets for Keith at Chili Bowl someday. And of course, he would love to run a World of Outlaws team and aim to win all the big races.

Sponsors of the Forbrook 5 car include 168 Manufacturing, Pequot Mfg, Epoxyco, Joel Pingeon Trucking, Weelborg Chevy and Ford, Herz Precision Parts, Karavan Trailers, and Wyffels Hybrids.