From Wrenches to Willpower
Built on Grit. Fueled by Nitro
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Gas Roots Racing is a family-built motorcycle drag racing team with deep roots and zero shortcuts. What started in a garage with wrenches, late nights, and determination has grown into a competitive force driven by passion, discipline, and respect for the sport.
Our foundation was built in gas racing, where Loren cut his teeth learning the fundamentals, earning consistency, and developing a true respect for the machine. That groundwork paved the way for the leap to nitro — a progression that reflects who we are as a team: grow deliberately, learn constantly, and never skip the hard parts.
We don’t come from big money or factory backing. We come from hard work, blue-collar values, and a love for going fast. Every pass down the track reflects the same mindset that built our program from the ground up: earn it, maintain it, and give it everything you’ve got.
Thank you for stopping in. As our racing programs continue to grow, so will this site — with expanded features, behind-the-scenes content, and official Gas Roots Racing merchandise.
To our current and future partners: we value authentic relationships, brand loyalty, and representing our sponsors with integrity on and off the track. If you believe in grassroots racing, hard work, and real-world results, we’d be proud to build something together.
Welcome to Gas Roots Racing — where horsepower meets heart.
Team Member Spotlights
Loren Potter - Rider/ Owner
With more than 30 years of racing experience, Loren Potter is a proven competitor whose versatility and drive have carried him across multiple disciplines of motorsports and straight into the nitro ranks.
Loren began racing flat track in Upstate New York in 1984, developing the fundamentals that would shape his career. From 1987 to 2009, he competed extensively in motocross throughout South Carolina and Florida, building endurance, adaptability and a reputation for grit.
In 2017, Loren made a decisive move into drag racing, immediately turning heads by winning the Man Cup Finals in his very first appearance. Since then, he has earned multiple wins across Man Cup, AMRA, and AHDRA events, steadily establishing himself as a serious contender.
His momentum peaked in 2021, when he captured double championships in AHDRA, taking titles in both the 10.90 Class and E-Class; a testament to his consistency and race-day execution.
In 2025, Loren reached a major career milestone with his first-ever Pro Fuel bike ride, clocking an impressive 8.18-second quarter-mile and earning his Pro Fuel license with back-to-back solid runs. That same season, he was honored as the 2025 AMRA Nitro Rookie of the Year, confirming his arrival in the nitro class as both competitive and composed.
As rider and owner, Loren brings experience, leadership, and relentless determination to every pass—driving his program forward with one clear objective: performance at the highest level.
Buddy Foss - Crew Chief & Janette Thornley - Lead Tuner
Gas Roots Racing is proud to welcome an elite, championship-proven duo to the team, Janette Thornley and Buddy Foss, joining us as Lead Tuner and Crew Chief. Known for precision, intensity, and results at the highest levels of competition, this pairing brings decades of experience and a winning pedigree to our program.
Janette Thornley is a 4-Time National Champion and one of the most accomplished racers in professional motorcycle drag racing. Her championship titles span the sport’s most respected organizations, including the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), American Motorcycle Racing Association (AMRA), and the American Drag Racing League (ADRL).
Janette’s accolades include:
- 2017 ADRL Pro Fuel Class Champion
- 2017 AMRA Pro Fuel Class Champion
- 2016 NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series Pro Fuel Champion
- 2015 NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series Pro Fuel Champion
- 2016 Horsepower & Heels Female Racer of the Year
On the track, her numbers speak for themselves—a blistering 7.20-second elapsed time and a top speed of 185 mph, a mark that is believed to still stand as an NHRA record. Beyond the trophies and records, Janette is known for her deep mechanical knowledge, data-driven mindset and an instinctive ability to extract maximum performance—qualities that make her an exceptional Lead Tuner.
Buddy Foss brings over 25 years of racing experience, including time working within the NASCAR circuit, where precision, repeatability, and attention to detail are essential. His background has shaped him into a crew chief who understands that championships are built on preparation, discipline, and execution.
Together, Janette and Buddy previously served as rider and crew chief with Dream Chaser Racin', where their leadership and chemistry helped establish a competitive and highly respected program.
This is lightning and thunder—championship talent and seasoned leadership—coming together with one mission: winning. Gas Roots Racing is honored to have Janette Thornley and Buddy Foss leading the charge.
David Johnson - Support Crew
David has been riding Harley-Davidsons since 1971 and spent 15 years working for two Harley dealerships before retiring. His interest in Harley drag racing began in the 1970s, though at the time he was focused on building and riding street choppers.
From 1995 to 2005, he teamed up with friends Eddie Lee and Mike Webb of Southwind Racing, working in the PS 16 and Modified classes as an engine mechanic, starter, and clutch tech. During that decade, the team earned one championship.
After stepping away from racing for a while, though still showing up to spectate whenever he could, he attended the AHDRA event at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, GA, in May 2025. He originally planned to catch up with his buddy and our fellow teammate Griz, but ended up meeting Loren and me. We were working on Loren’s bike, and he jumped in to help. That moment pulled him right back into the drag-racing world.
Now part of the team, he’s diving into the nitro world alongside the rest of the crew. Most of us may be new to nitro, but we’re fueled by passion and every one of us has deep gas roots. He’s proud to be part of this team and excited for what’s ahead. We are too!!
Kristy Potter - Owner, Support Crew
Kristy Potter is an owner of the team and the driving force behind its support operations, marketing, and media presence. She manages the moving parts that keep everything running smoothly—logistics, branding, sponsor relations and telling the team’s story on and off the track.
Outside of racing, Kristy brings a unique mix of professionalism and real-world experience from her “other life” as a licensed funeral director. That background shows up in her calm under pressure, attention to detail and ability to handle just about anything that comes her way.
Equal parts organizer, storyteller and steady hand, Kristy keeps the team grounded, visible, and moving forward—while never missing what really matters: the people (and dog) who make it all worthwhile.
Buell - Team Mascot | Chief Morale Officer | The Real Star
Buell is the undisputed face of the team—and frankly, the reason most people know who we are. With his signature mohawk, unmistakable attitude and larger-than-life personality, Buell steals the spotlight everywhere he goes.
He specializes in boosting morale, posing for photos, supervising the pits and reminding everyone to relax and have fun. Equal parts tough and lovable, Buell embodies the heart of the team and brings fans in long before the bikes ever fire up.
Without Buell, we’d still be racing—but no one would be paying nearly as much attention.
2025 NITRO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
What a Ride!!
We’re thrilled to announce that Loren has earned 2025 Nitro Rookie of the Year! From starting in gas racing to making the leap to nitro, his hard work, grit, and determination have paid off in a big way.
This award isn’t just for Loren — it’s for the whole Gas Roots Racing team, whose dedication behind the scenes makes every run possible. Here’s to many more fast passes, big wins, and breaking limits!