The one to beat all summer at EchoPark Speedway, Bryce Sanders was dominant at Thursday Thunder across May, June, and July, ultimately capturing the Semi-Pro championship. Driving and learning from 77 Speed Shop, he is making this season the best it can be as 2026 might be his final year of compeition. So far, he's been dominant at the quarter-mile of EchoPark!
Hometown: McDonough, GA
Number: 15
Team: 77 Speed Shop
Division: Semi-Pro
Favorite track: Atlanta Motorsports Park
1. How did you get your start in racing?
My grandpa used to own a track. I learned there, and then eventually he got me in a go-kart. Then I just made my way up to Bandos, and then now to Legends.
2. How did you get your number?
Bill Plemons' son. My pawpaw went racing around the country with Bill’s son, and I used to go to Thursday Thunder when people could go in the stands, and I just always liked Bill, so I just went with 15.
3. Who is your biggest inspiration within racing?
I really like Brad Keselowski. I've been rocking with him since I was like five. He would always win back in the day. Back in the day, he used to be it, and I just always liked him. I just never switched up. So, I think he motivates me to want to get to NASCAR and accomplish what he has.
4. What is your favorite racing memory?
Really just hanging out with friends at the track. I don't really have a specific memory at the track. I've won a lot of championships, and I just like there's no point. Because after you're done racing, the trophy's not gonna mean anything if we're gonna be honest. So I'm really just doing it just to be there and have the experience and and just have fun with my friends.
5. How do you measure success while racing?
It's really if I don't win, then it's an okay day, but I'm always going to the track to win. If I'm not winning, I would at least like a top 3, but really if I'm not winning, I'm a little disappointed in myself, but I feel like everybody's like that.
6. How was it bringing home the Thursday Thunder Semi-Pro Championship?
I couldn't thank 77 Speed Shop enough. They gave me a rocket ship all year. We struggled a little bit in the last 3 or 4 races, but the first six, when I went 6 for 6. It was just absolutely phenomenal. Like the car was just perfect every lap, and,I mean, we've been trying to win a Legends championship at Thursday Thunder for a while. I think we were in Young Lions for maybe a year or two and then semi-pro a year before that. I think we got top 3 here and there. I think we got second or third last year, but I won one in a Bando. I was always trying to get one in the Legend car; I feel like the competition in the Legends was a little bit harder than the Bandos, plus the car is a little bit harder to drive. So, I mean, it was definitely better to win the Legend one than a Bandolero one.
7. What’s been your favorite track you’ve raced on?
So I've only been to Atlanta, Cordele, Anderson and Lanier. So, I mean, I haven't been to many tracks, but I would probably say either Atlanta Motorsports Park or EchoPark Speedway.
8. If you could race on one track in the world, what would it be?
I don't know, I feel like Talladega or Daytona would be pretty fun, Martinsville too because we come from the short racing, the bump and runs and all that stuff. So, watching Martinsville is probably my favorite track to watch of the year. So if I could race at Martinsville with something like a modified or a NASCAR or something, that would be pretty cool.
9. What are your racing goals for 2026 and beyond?
I'm really just trying to have fun this year because I'm gonna be honest, I'm a senior this year in high school. So after this year, I plan on going to a trade and I'm probably not going to race next year if I'm going to be honest. So this year I'm just trying to have fun and at least get the most wins I can and just accomplish the most I can. So I can go out fighting one last year.
10. What is the biggest lesson racing has taught you?
Definitely just stay humble because you never know what could happen in racing. You could, like I said, you could be winning 6 in a row, and then just like, anything can happen and all that's ruined. You can have 2 bad races at Atlanta, and you only get one drop. Boom, there's your championship. So it's really just staying focused, staying humbled, and um, yeah, just just staying focused pretty much.
11. What are your hobbies outside of racing?
I do like to play a little bit of iRacing, and play a little bit of video games. I like to go golfing a lot, and I like to fish a little bit. Also just hang out with family, swim a little bit, you know, just calm stuff.