RPW Column: It’s Been A Long Road To The Track For Brandon Grygus, But He’s Ready To Race

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – VERNON, NJ – We all know how the interest in racing can easily be passed on from generation to generation. Whether it’s a racer, owner, car builder, track official, media member, fan or any other position in racing, we see how the sport gets passed on through the generations.

Such is the case of Brandon Grygus. Brandon’s dad, Bruce Grygus, has a long history with Brett Hearn as a crew member and crew chief. First a youngster and then as a teenager, Brandon made great memories with his dad, traveling to races, seeing some of Hearn’s big wins and eventually, helping out in the shop.

One of Brandon’s best memories is the Thunder on the Hill at Grandview in 2003. Hearn took a car that he was about to retire, but scored one more big win with it and Brandon got to enjoy a champagne shower in Victory Lane.

All the while, Brandon had a dream of getting into a car and racing himself. He had a problem however, his weight was so great that it was impossible for him to get into a car.

But in 2020, Brandon had bariatric surgery which drastically reduced the size of his stomach. He has lost more than half his weight which will allow him to climb aboard a new Teo Pro car and race the Rookie Sportsman schedule at the Orange County Fair Speedway.

“This is going to be my first time in a race car. Racing has definitely been in my family’s blood. I’ve been around it since I was a kid. My father, Bruce, worked with Brett back in the Pepsi days. He was there when Brett won the Schaefer 200 for his first Super Dirt Week win,” Brandon said. “Dad was very much involved when Brett was in the Busch Grand National Series. In fact, my mom was very pregnant with me at Daytona for one of Brett’s races in the Grand National series. He did a 2nd stint with Brett during the Budweiser #3 years while I was in high school. That’s how I got my start, sweeping up the shop floor, washing body panels and things like that. I was fortunate enough to travel with Brett during the Budweiser years, I learned a lot about the behind the scenes aspects of racing.”

That time traveling with Brett taught Brandon lessons that he is carrying on to the start of his own racing career.

“Brett always preached and instilled into me that races aren’t won on Saturday night’s, they’re won by turning wrenches in the shop. And working on the race car on weeknights.”

But as Brandon got to the point where he really wanted to race, he knew that his weight made it impossible.

“On August 7, 2020, I was 464 pounds. I had bariatric weight loss surgery. I am now down to 217 pounds, so I’ve lost more than I weigh now.”

But as many people who have had this type of surgery know, it’s more than just the surgery that leads to weight loss.
“I had the procedure called the Gastric Sleeve. You are left with 20% of your stomach size. It’s an appetite control thing. By not eating as much, by default, you are losing weight. Even with the surgery, it takes a lot of discipline. There’s very strict dietary rules that you need to follow for life. And it involved a lot of time at the gym with a rigid exercise schedule. It’s been life changing for my health and happiness. And now, this wild, crazy dream that I had of putting this race team together, it’s been a ride,”

Bruce had a pact with Brandon that once he was able to, he would put him into a car. And that time has arrived.

“Dad said when I could fit into a car, he would put one together. This is kind of Dad’s baby. We built our Teo Pro car over the winter from the ground up from a bare frame. We’ve spent a lot of hours putting this together and it’s a blood, sweat and tears project.”

Brandon has a lot of people he wishes to thank for him being in the position to race this year.

“My Mom, she puts up with a lot of hours in the race shop. My brother, Matt, who is my first ever sponsor which is pretty special, I’ll be always grateful for that. And the amount of support that I’ve gotten from the Hearn family has been overwhelming. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself being in the same room with Brett, the greatest of all time and being able to pick his brain. And Bobby Hearn has so many off the track accomplishments. Being around the Teo shop the last couple of months, just watching the craftsmanship and attention to detail that Bobby just puts into everything will blow your mind. And Matt Hearn is a jack of all trades from building shock packages to smashing springs to welding bumpers. I encourage anyone on the fence to give the guys at Teo a call. Everything that rolls out of there is Made in America quality.”

Brandon got his first time in the car at the recent Brett Hearn Driving School and he was pleased at how the day went.

“I got to strap in and shake it down at Brett’s school. I turned quite a few laps. It was a humbling experience to say the least. I felt good about the car and how we were progressing during the day.”

And getting a good amount of laps at Middletown is important to his season plans.

“As far as our plans, we are going to run the 6 race Rookie Sportsman series at Middletown. We have built a Teo Pro car that is capable of competing. Whether the driver is capable of competing, the jury is still out. Maybe a little traveling towards the end of Summer. The most important things we want to accomplish is to get as much seat time as possible and not to tear up the equipment.”

And as he has faced many challenges the last few years, Brandon is looking forward to the challenge of racing.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. Being able to compete with other drivers that are out for the same thing. The challenge of keeping good notes. Working hard to prepare the car. And while at the track, trying to be the best driver that you can be, being smooth and hitting your marks. I have miles to go in that aspect. Best way to accept a challenge is to hit it head on. And that’s what we’re going to do.”

As with many new teams, Brandon’s group is looking for marketing partners.

“The car is going to get lettered this week, so it’s not too late. It’s being done by Mike Tyson Signs and Custom Painting of Lehighton, Pa. If you would like to get involved, we can work with any budget. Tires, fuel and the cost of running these crate cars is astronomical. We are a small family team, we are doing it the old school way. You can email us at grygusracingenterprises@gmail.com. We try to do a good job on Instagram @grygusracing.”

As Brandon prepares for competition on April 15th, he is extremely grateful for the help that he’s gotten from Teo.

“I can’t thank everyone at Teo enough for the support they’ve given me. It’s really been just humbling and overwhelming. There were times that this build looked kind of bleak. We were wondering if we were even going to make it to get the car on the track last weekend let alone the season opener. Bobby, Matt and the guys really pushed us over the finish line and I can’t thank those guys enough.”

At the track, Brandon will have help from his dad, his brother Matt, his cousin Rich, Chuck, Anthony and Harvey. Emily handles the team’s social media.

You can tell by talking with Brandon Grygus just how much he is looking forward to getting his chance to race in 2023. No matter how he does, he’s already scored a huge victory with the steps that he took to improve his health and happiness. But I could hear the determination in him as he talked about what he’s been through and his plans for the 2023 season. Wishing good luck and continued good health for this likeable driver.