Nick Brundige Has Emerged Front Runner For CDRA Racing Newcomer Of The Year Honors
Story By: ROB HAZER / CDRA – ROUND LAKE, NY – Nick Brundige is a blue-collar racer with limited experience in the driver’s seat of an open wheel Sportsman Modified. After just one season of Limited racing, he challenged himself to move up, and chase more seat time. In doing so he’s top five in CDRA racing points and in position to earn Newcomer Of The Year honors.
Efficiently known as the NOTY, it’s one of the top honors the JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA racing series presented by Elmo’s Speed Supply offers at seasons end. Currently, the Round Lake, NY racer leads fellow competitors Derrick McGrew Jr. and Michael Wagner-Fitzgerld for the honors.
What do race fans know about Nick Brundige? He’s not a household name just yet, but he’s working on building a name for himself and carrying on the family legacy in dirt track racing. His father DJ Brundige was a pretty good wheelman himself, so it was just natural Nick would find interest in following in dear old dad’s footsteps.
“I had never raced anything of my own before other than a friends go kart a couple of times until I started racing Sportsman last year,” Brundige began saying.
He continued with, “Growing up I was always going to Malta to watch my dad race. My grandfather raced too. But we’d travel to places like Devil’s Bowl and Glen Ridge also, so they were naturally favorite racers of mine. And a big reason I got involved in racing.”
During CDRA Season One (2024) Nick Brundige made two starts out of the six scheduled events, with his best finish being 19th during Malta Massive Weekend at Albany-Saratoga Speedway. It was worth 25th in overall points, which wasn’t bad for a Limited Sportsman regular competing among 108 drivers who earned points during the year.
Flash forward to CDRA Season Two (2025) and how things can change in a year. Brundige is currently 4th in series points in the thick of a title chase with the likes of Tim Hartman Jr., defending champion Taylor Wason, Glen Ridge champion Zach Buff, and Tavien Blowers. He’s coming off his best series finish to date of 4th and has a win in weekly racing at Malta.
His car number is 916, which his pops ran back in the day, but how many know that’s actually Nick’s birthday. And goals? He’s got goals that include one day maybe getting an opportunity to wheel a DIRTcar Big Block Modified.
“My goal is to one day have the experience and backing to get a Modified ride together. At some point in the future, when I feel I’m ready,” said Brunidge.
No question this young man has the passion to succeed. He’s got a fire burning inside to prove to his family, friends, and himself that he can race competitively on a consistent basis. For now, Nick is grateful for the opportunity to run his family-owned race rods around the Capital District.
“I would like to thank my sponsors Capital District Towing, along with Halfmoon Evergreen Property Maintenance, and Miller Motorsports. Their help is crucial to keeping us at the track,” Brundige said.
He concluded by saying, “I can’t forget to thank my dad for everything. His belief in me means the world. And I also can’t forget to thank my girlfriend, Riley. Everything she does to help with the car preparing for raceday and on raceday means a lot.”
For more information on Nick’s racing endeavors in and around the Capital District visit Brundige Family Racing on Social Media or see them weekly at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.
UP NEXT FOR CDRA: The series heads to West Lebanon, NY for a big show at Lebanon Valley Speedway on Thursday August 28th. CDRA will be part of the Mr. Dirt Track Super DIRTcar Big Block Modified Series event with the highly anticipated return of Mr. Crate Track USA.
CDRA is a nostalgic throwback to the CVRA days. A series designed specifically for Capital District racing. Season two schedule consists of a diverse schedule at storied dirt tracks like the great race place, the fastest quarter mile on dirt, and the valley of speed. Drivers who do travel the Capitaland will earn hardware and some green for their efforts.
2025 CDRA POINT RACE SCHEDULE
04/18/25 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway 
07/25/25 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway
06/01/25 – Glen Ridge Motorsports Park
08/03/25 – Glen Ridge Motorsports Park
08/28/25 – Lebanon Valley Speedway
09/19/25 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway
