Car(s) of the Week: Brittany Ezell's 1955 Chevy & 2014 E-Z Chassis Dragster

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, we have a special two-for-one edition featuring Brittany Ezell of Ventress, Louisiana and both her 1955 Chevy and 2014 E-Z Chassis Dragster. Racing is in her blood!

Look familiar? Ezell's car can be seen as our Facebook cover photo as well as a prominent photo on our website.

How did you get into drag racing?
I was basically born into drag racing. My parents, Rose and Wyatt Ezell, met each other at the race track. My mom was racing pregnant with both me and my brother.

When and where was your first race?
My first race was in 2005 when I was 15. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was running my 2000 Toyota Tacoma in the Street Class at State Capitol Raceway. I was so nervous that I left on the first yellow light!

What model/year do you race now?
I have two race cars that I run. One is a 1955 Chevy that was originally raced by my grandpa.  I also have a 2014 E-Z Chassis dragster that was built by my dad and painted by my brother.

Does your car have a nickname?
I don’t really have a nickname for my race cars.  We just call the door car “The 55” and the dragster “The 4-link.”

What’s under the hood?
For the door car, I have a 540 BBC that runs 6.30s, and for the dragster I have a 582 BBC that runs 4.80s.

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
Between both of the race cars, we use a BTE convertor, input shaft, planetary, high gear hub, clutches and band, and transmission fluid.  

Why do you use BTE?
We use BTE because we have had great success using these products. Our cars are very consistent and put a lot of cars on the trailer.

Someone you look up to in racing?
Someone that I look up to in racing would have to be my little brother Johnny Ezell. He’s my inspiration, greatest critic, and toughest competitor. He is the most dedicated, ambitious, and just pure badass drag racer that I know. I would not be the driver I am today without him.  

If money were no object, what would you drive?
I am actually very content with the race cars that I drive. I have the best of both. I have a door car that does wheel stands and a dragster that can compete with the best in the country. I wouldn’t have it any other way. We built the cars as a family and we race as a family. I couldn’t ask for more.

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
I have a certain order that I do in the staging lanes before I make a pass. I have to check left tire pressure, check right tire pressure, put up tire gauge on passenger side of car, walk around the car, put on my pants, then jacket, get in the car, buckle seat belt in specific order, attach left arm restraint, put on left glove, put on helmet, put on right glove, put on neck brace, pull my pony tail from under the neck brace and lastly attach my right arm restraint.