The future stars of the National Hot Rod Association will compete at legendary Bristol Dragway, July 9-17, when Thunder Valley hosts the wildly popular Junior Drag Racing Week that will conclude with the prestigious NHRA Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Mike Bos Chassis Craft.
Nearly 500 of the best NHRA Junior Drag Racing League competitors from the East Coast, including competition age groups for 6-12 year-olds and 13-17 year-olds, are expected to compete in the annual event that has traditionally been held at Bristol Dragway 17 of the last 18 years. In 2020, the event was relocated to zMAX Dragway in Charlotte due to a last-minute scheduling adjustment between the two Speedway Motorsports facilities.
The fun begins today-Sunday, July 9-11, with the Mike Bos Chassis Craft Jr. Dragster Nationals. Friday night will include both the inaugural Mike Bos Chassis Craft Memorial Parents Race presented by Craw’s Racing as well as the Mike Bos Chassis Craft Prelude to the Shootout presented by Craw’s Racing. Time Trials for both events will be conducted prior to eliminations.
A $40 entry fee is required for the Parents Race, with a trophy going to the winner. In order to be eligible for the race, each competing race vehicle must be driven in competition by a junior racer during the week. A $225 entry fee is required for the Prelude to the Shootout. This 32-car field will receive one time run prior to eliminations. The winner will receive $2,000 plus automatic entry into the Mike Bos Chassis Craft Shootout on Monday evening. The runner-up will earn $1,000 and the two semifinalists will pocket $500 apiece.
Moving into the Mike Bos Chassis Craft Fun Races portion of the week, NHRA tech inspection and registration opens on Monday morning, with all racers required to complete both before Thursday’s main event starts.
Monday’s schedule offers the Mike Bos Chassis Craft Quick 32 presented by 660 Pro Brand. The entry fee is $40 and two qualifying rounds will set the 32-car field. Much like Top Dragster within the Sportsman ranks, this 32 car qualified field will become a bracket race within eliminations. The winner will earn $400, while the runner-up will claim $300 and the two semifinalists will get $200 each. A test-n-tune will also be offered from Noon-5 p.m. on Monday in concurrence with the Quick 32 event.
The big-money 64-car Mike Bos Chassis Craft Shootout will begin Monday at 5 p.m. The winner will claim a $5,000 prize and the highly coveted Mike Bos Chassis Craft Shootout Custom Trophy, while the runner-up will take home $2,000 and the two semifinalists will earn $1,000 apiece.
The NHRA Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Mike Bos Chassis Craft begins Thursday, July 15, with final eliminations for the NHRA JDRL Eastern Conference Finals presented by Mike Bos Chassis Craft will be held Saturday, July 17 starting at 9 a.m. Winners of the NHRA JDRL Eastern Conference Finals will take home prestigious NHRA Wally champion’s trophies as well as a share of the event purse.
Created in 1992, the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League allows kids between the ages of 5-17 to experience the thrill of motorsports competition while maintaining a fun atmosphere with family involvement. Many of the league’s former participants have went on to compete at the NHRA Pro and Sportsman level, including 2013 Top Fuel champ Shawn Langdon, 2018 Funny Car champ J.R. Todd and four-time Pro Stock champ Erica Enders.
For more information and to access a full schedule of event activities, please click here.
