Brayden Hearn 2025 Jr. Thunder Champion

Last Updated on February 27, 2026 by WWTR

By Jeremy Rosenstengel

Photos by Keke Lipford

We celebrate a young man who embodies determination, passion, and the true spirit of racing: Brayden Hearn, your 2025 Jr. Thunder Champion!

Brayden is your typical 11-year-old in many ways. He plays wing for the Litchfield sixth-grade basketball team and covers the outfield on his baseball team. But beyond the courts and fields, Brayden has a passion that sets him apart—a love for drag racing.

Known by his nickname “Wild Man,” Brayden couldn’t help but fall in love with the sport. Racing runs deep in his family. He’s a third-generation racer on his mother’s side. His grandfather, Jim Komor Sr., raced a ’69 Nova at Assumption Dragway and at World Wide Technology Raceway. His uncle, Rich Komor, now a standout bracket racer in Florida, sparked Brayden’s father David’s interest in the sport. Today, David is a local standout in his beautifully prepared ’69 Camaro. Brayden’s older brother Timothy also races in the high school class and Super Pro, and rumor has it, a ’71 C-10 race truck is on the way! This family lives and breathes racing.

Brayden began his racing journey three years ago. His first two seasons brought moderate success, but as we all know, the learning curve in drag racing is steep. Brayden worked hard studying in school and studying racers at the track.

At the end of the 2024 season, Brayden attended the World Wide Technology Raceway awards banquet. He watched intently as champions received their trophies and heard their stories told. His mom noticed how quiet and focused he was and asked, “Everything okay, buddy?” Brayden looked her in the eye and said, “You know what, Mom? Next year, I’m going to win that championship and have one of those giant trophies of my own.”

Pretty bold words for an 11-year-old in just his third year of racing, especially when his competitors had more experience and resources. But Brayden meant it.

When the 2025 season began, Brayden came out swinging. He grabbed the points lead early and never let go. Over the season, he made six final-roundappearances, winning three races and finishing runner-up in the other three. This young man was on a mission.

It wasn’t easy. His toughest competitor, Damian Haberberger, kept the pressure on all year. The championship came down to the final double-points weekend. Brayden won Saturday’s race but stumbled early on Sunday. Damian closed the gap with a round-one win, but rain ended the event and sealed the championship for Brayden. In true sportsmanship, Damian was right there cheering Brayden on. That camaraderie, that friendship, is what makes this sport so special. These lessons—competition, teamwork, respect—will stay with these racers for life.

So, what do you say about an 11-year-old who called his shot and delivered? A kid who balanced basketball, baseball, and racing and still dominated his class? You call him what he is: a champion.

On behalf of World Wide Technology Raceway, congratulations to Brayden Hearn and the entire Hearn Racing family. Great job!