Growing up, almost every kid who left their little league baseball diamond dreamed of one day playing major league baseball. The same kid was dunking the ball through the air, pretending that he had caught the World Series-winning fly ball. The boy would sit in the ballpark with his eyes glued to his baseball heroes, studying his every move and technique as he dreamed of the day he would do the same. I also had these dreams.

At age 10 with four years of youth baseball under my belt, I discovered my interests and strengths. At this point in my life, I had already been competing in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League for two years. He wasn’t a terribly bad ballplayer, but he was easily a much better racer. I tolerated playing baseball, but I loved drag racing. Success on the racetrack is a lot like success on the ball park. My dedication to racing resembled the previously mentioned kid who loved baseball. I would sit in my basement, taking hits on my practice tree, pretending Warren Johnson was on the opposite lane. He would go to every NHRA US Nationals and NHRA National event at Route 66 Raceway, following drivers like Mark “The Cowboy” Pawuk around his pit area and into the staging lanes, dreaming that one day he would be a part of that scene. careers.

Taking a junior dragster driver to the racetrack to watch a “big car” race or watch the NHRA pros and pro sports drivers in action is like walking into a classroom. Although a wheel-drive Super Stock Camaro has little in common with a 150-wheelbase junior dragster, the race procedures on the track are nearly identical.

Starting in the junior dragster class, it’s important not to take losses early in a driver’s career too seriously. The truth is that most eight or nine year old drivers just coming into the ranks will be up against drivers with more experience than they are. While I have witnessed a junior rider win his first outing, it is rare and probably a case of serious beginner’s luck. So I advise you not to take losses against older pilots too seriously in the beginning. Of course, compete to win, but don’t get frustrated. Racing against more experienced pilots will only make you or your pilot a better pilot. Over time, the younger driver will develop his skills behind the wheel and that first big win against an older driver will be that much more enjoyable.

That being said, losing early in a race gives the young driver and his parents or car owner a chance to learn from the stands. Walk with the young driver near the starting line to pay close attention to what the more experienced drivers are doing. Teach the importance of consistency in all depletion and staging procedures. The last 6 inches rolling onto the stage beam are arguably the most important piece of racetrack real estate, so teach your driver to take their time, courtesy stage, and focus.

After you’ve spent some time at the starting line, give the young driver a lesson in the basics of finish line driving. With each pair of cars you pass, point out when a driver got it right or how he could have done it better. Seeing it firsthand is a powerful tool for learning the fundamentals.

As always at any point in a driver’s career, safety is of the utmost importance. Before the day’s race even starts, walk to the turnoff for the race track. Every track is a little different, so instruct the driver to remind you where the finish line is, how long the closed area is, and how to exit the drag strip correctly: obey track officials if they are present, turn slowly , and always keep an eye on the other car to avoid a collision.