Photos by Matt DeYoung
The power of continuity and community was evident at the recent kickoff for the Pacific Division Jr. Championship Series presented by Ted Wiens at Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield.
Longtime JDRL racer Gavin Pine, who has aged out of competition for the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League and is preparing for a future in “big-car” racing in Super Pro and Super Comp, nonetheless wanted to continue to be involved in the sport’s future as he helped tune Kalei Mahoney to a victory in Race 1 of the series.
“Being on the other side is different … tuning someone else, not just driving, has opened my eyes to a whole different side of this,” said Pine. “I try to tell them to go in the race with confidence, be humble, and listen to their parents and mentors they surround themselves with.”
Pine, a former Pacific Division champion, multitime event winner, and mentor to many, was able to coach, tune, and set the car up for success to end the day in the Famoso Dragstrip winner’s circle.
“It’s great to see graduates of the Jr. program stay involved with the series,” said Pacific Division Director Matt DeYoung. “It really is a testament to the family atmosphere and camaraderie that we strive to build and maintain throughout the season. Our program allows JDRL racers to chase points, grow friendships, and visit member tracks they might not run at through their normal race season.”
The series, which features racers from the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Dragster Racing League and is contested at Division 7 NHRA member tracks throughout the season, encourages racers to be part of the racing community at the track, not just racing. They are encouraged to grow their sportsmanship abilities when choosing their competition lanes, learning how to race, announcing races when they are out of competition, and mentoring younger racers throughout the events.
The Pacific Division Jr. Champion Series races at six member tracks across Division 7, including Famoso Dragstrip, Firebird Motorsports Park, Redding Motorsports Park, Barona 1/8th Dragstrip, Tucson Dragway, and Top Gun Dragstrip.
“We love seeing the Jrs. support the Division 7 tracks, we are thankful to host these races and enjoy seeing both the racers and parents come back for events throughout the year,” said Famoso Dragstrip’s Tim Huddleston. “These NHRA member tracks host their own local Summit Jr. Dragster program, but with this series, they get to showcase their track to the traveling families and racers that are competing for the coveted NHRA Wally.”
The first two races of the season truly was a showcase of the racers’ talents, tuning, and driving. With just under a hundred racers competing in four categories, the event was full of dead-on runs, trip-zip lights, and successful car setups.
This track has been the location of so many memories shared with generations of racing families that it only seems fitting to make it the season opener of the Pacific Division Jr. Championship Series, according to DeYoung. Famoso Dragstrip joined the Jr. Championship Series schedule for the first time in 2023 and was welcomed by the Famoso track staff, Jr. racers, and parents.
Tony Trimp, operator and owner of Redding Motorsports (pictured above), added, “Seeing my grandson race at this historic track [Famoso Dragstrip] is unimaginable. My son raced here, I have raced here; this track holds so much history and continues to write more with every race it hosts.”
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