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TRIBUTE
Blake Copson 1993 – 2021
The drag racing world was dealt a devastating loss on Saturday , March 6th , when 27-year-old small-tire racing star Blake Copson unexpectedly passed away . News of his passing spread quickly on social media , with family , friends , fellow racers and fans sharing tributes and fond memories of the rising star .
Copson was going into the 2021 season as the reigning champion in the Atomizer Racing Injectors Outlaw 10.5 National Championship Series , coming off an incredible 2020 season that
BY NATE VAN WAGNEN
saw him win 26 out of 27 rounds in the family ’ s twin-turbocharged “ Root Beer Rocket ” Corvette . He had also won Duck X Productions ’ Magic 8 and No Mercy 11 races in Manny Buginga ’ s X275 Mustang .
But above his seemingly natural abilities behind the wheel , Copson was known for the quality of his character and the smile he brought with him wherever he went , from signing autographs and taking pictures with young fans to celebrating in the winner ’ s circle with his team . It was clear to everyone who met him that Copson was passionate about drag racing and cherished every opportunity he had in the sport .
Copson ’ s enthusiasm for drag racing started at a young age . His father , Joe , would take him to the local tracks near their Philadelphia area home , like Maple Grove Raceway in Reading , Pennsylvania , and Atco Raceway and the nowdefunct Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey .
“ He would run up and down the stairs with the little plastic dragsters and make noises as a kid ,” Joe Copson says . “ He just absolutely loved
PHOTOS : JAMES SISK , TARA BOWKER , CHRIS SEARS , AINSLEY JACOBS , RICK BELDEN AND CHRIS SIMMONS
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