“Henry is the epitome of what bracket racing is all about.
Now, his story is unique. He came up through ‘the ghetto’ as he calls it. Obviously a rough neighborhood, and racing for him, thanks mainly to his father, was seen as a way out. Racing, in a lot of respects, was a way to keep Henry out of trouble, and a lot of us can resonate with that.” -Luke Bogacki
Sportsman Drag Racing Podcast – Episode #181 (My story)
Some view this sport as just a hobby, while others have made it a legit, lucrative career. Some show up to every single event to simply have fun. Some rarely ever turn on a win light, yet leave with a smile on their face, vowing to return next week to try again. And some of us pull out of the driveway wholeheartedly believing we can and will win the entire event! Regardless of where you fall within that spectrum, we all fell in love with this game at some point in time of our lives.
For me, I was essentially born and raised at the track. It’s all I know. Most kids dream of growing up and becoming a doctor, fire fighter, or maybe a police officer. I have a school assignment from 2nd or 3rd grade exclaiming; “When I grow up, I want to be a racecar driver, just like my dad!” My father, Henry Roberson Jr., who is now 83 years old and still racing when he can, grew up street racing in the mean city streets of San Francisco’s “Hunters Point”, Bayview District. When NHRA first established bracket racing in the 70s, he began bringing his ’51 and ’56 Chevy to Baylands Dragstrip in Fremont, California. He quickly fell in love with the sport, as well. Chasing win lights weekly, and sacrificing whatever need be to compete was undoubtedly the only way of life in our household. The flame of that torch was passed down to me in blood. It’s in me, not on me. My father didn’t chase the NHRA circuit, so I didn’t grow up thinking that it was a priority. He won a couple bigger local events, but never won a Wally. And although I’ve only had limited shots at them, I fully understand that I am extremely blessed to have racked up 29 of them.
My name is Henry Giselle Roberson, and I am your friendly, local drag addict. Born and bred in North Sacramento, from an area called North Highlands, California. The passion that I express towards bracket racing is unrivaled by anything else in my life. It was instilled in me at a very young age, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I grew up playing competitive basketball and football, but always longed for the day I’d be able to strap into a racecar. To my dismay, my parents couldn’t afford to put me in a junior. But, once I got my permit at 15, I began racing and have never stopped. Now 39 years old, I’m around 24 years into my racing career, and feel extremely blessed to have obtained the amount of success and accolades I’ve endured over the years. Forever chasing win lights.
What fires me up most about bracket racing is that it is truly an equal opportunity sport. It does not care where you came from. Nor does it matter how well you’ve done in life. It really doesn’t even care how much money, time, effort you’ve poured into your operation. Anybody, anytime can get cracked. It is truly a fair, non-biased, level paying field. Right up until that light drops green, that is. That is precisely where years and years of honed-in skills, experience, and a little bit of occasional much needed luck come into play. There is an objective way to settle who is better each particular round. Mano y mano. May the best man (or woman) win. You shake hands with your opponent before and after the round, tip your cap, and live to race another day. It is truly a beautiful thing, and I am extremely honored to be even a small representation of that within our sport.
I chose to apply for the ELITE Member Spotlight program within ThisIsBracketRacing ELITE for a few reasons. First of all, because I love and live this sport (hopefully it’s apparent and obvious by now), but also because since around 2018 I have made a vow to myself to go live with in-car video every single round of eliminations. Much like Luke and TIBRE, I fancy myself an educator of the sport, and my live-streamed, raw, candid videos are my way of offering the knowledge I’ve amassed to the general racing public. My platform and contribution efforts may be on a much smaller scale, but the intent behind my content remains the same. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and ride shotgun along my journey. Whether online, or if you catch me at the track, never hesitate to reach out. I am an open book, and always willing and eager to converse or help where I’m able to.
My weapon of choice
Is a 1984 Ford GT350, Foxbody Mustang. Her name is $ticker$. Bought from a friend in 2010 as a rolling chassis, and began racing it in Sportsman and Pro in 2012. Since then, I’ve made countless and continuous non-stop upgrades, and am still progressing her towards being what I would consider a true Bottom Bulb/Pro ET car. Fast (relative, I know), Deadly consistent, and reliable are things I strive for. Currently running 6.0’s and mid 9’s in the 1/4 mile, and most days I feel I have the best car on the property. Parking her in the winners circle at the end of the weekend is something completely different lol. I am always striving to make myself, as well as the car better. I stepped away from Sportsman in 2021, and now focus on Pro and Super Pro, off the bottom. Constantly aiming to be00take00, or be .00x and drop it dead on round, after round, after round. I recently purchased a Biondo Mega 450 though, and will begin playing with it soon. I have never hit the top, but I am ready for the challenge of new experiences that will undoubtedly come with it.
Things I’m proud of from the last couple years:
I was voted 2024 ThisIsBracketRacing ELITE MVP “Driver of the Year”. ’24 was an absolutely INCREDIBLE year for me, possibly tied with 2019 as my most dominant seasons. Added 11 big checks in this one singular season. I was blessed to win almost every single event I showed up to, notably; $10k win, at WCBR Southwest Showdown. $4k Nite Fire Nationals win, at Boise. $5k Summer Showdown win, at Woodburn. Won my first points championship at Sonoma Raceway (Have five from my home track Sacramento Raceway Park, which closed forever in 2023), including double-up Wally’s in Pro and Super Pro. $5k win at the Halloween Classic, back at Boise. And Wally #29, at Redding Motorsports Park.
Things I’m looking forward to in 2026:
I am a full time UPS Feeder (big rig driver), so I have to pick and choose which out of state events I want to attend yearly. Working 12-14 hours a day locally, or covering a long haul Chicago route presents unique challenges, but I persist anyways. A lot of times I’m operating on no sleep, but racing is a priority in my life and I am always willing to make whatever sacrifices needed happen. One of my best friend constantly tells me the old adage as a man, “Nobody cares. Work harder. So, that’s what I continue to do. In 2026, nothing changes. Whatever larger money events are available on the West Coast, I’ll be there.
I am super excited NHRA decided to split our Pacific Division 7 in half. Meaning, two ET Finals for me. Inaugural “Nor Cal” at Redding, and “Southern” at Vegas. I acquired my crossover level 6 license last year (first time ever in a dragster, was mad fun!) and since have been blessed with the opportunity to wheel an 8.60 B/Gas blown methanol injected 427 small block 65 Falcon for this year. Driving for somebody presents its own challenges, but I am eager to learn and grow. Our first event out a few weeks ago I clicked it -.007 red in the Final for a coveted 75th Anniversary diamond Wally! And, this past weekend I was .007, .005, then -.001 red in it at Sonoma for one of my sponsors “Team Boddie Racing” from Street Outlaws, “RaceWorz” event. Whether 8.60 index in the 1/4 mile, or 5.30 Index in the 1/8, this is always competed on a .4 pro tree. I am getting the hang of it quickly. Excited to hop back in the driver’s seat this weekend at Redding and try it again. And, of course I’ll be double dipping $ticker$ as well.
In closing, between work, racing, and home life with my wife and 3 dogs (been together going on 15 years!) I live a pretty hectic life, a quarter mile at a time, and I wouldn’t change it for nothing. I recently took my wife to Europe for our first time. Lisbon, Portugal and Madrid, Spain. So I can assure you it’s going to be yet another super fun and exciting season as I’ve now amassed enough brownie points to race all over the West Coast!
I really hope to see you following along for all of the upcoming action and excitement. I always keep my YouTube and Facebook updated with events and coverage, so be on the lookout for new content. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity presented by ThisIsBracketRacing ELITE of being one of their chosen Member Spotlights! As my late, great homie Kyle Seipel would say, “It’s all about the story, bud. Let’s roll!” Thank you for your time.
Connect with Henry:
Racing Page – West Coast Bracket Racing
Email – H768nhra@gmail.com
