About

If you haven't seen a Jr. Dragster, then you haven't seen the future of drag racing at Alaska Raceway Park! The Jr. Drag Racing class offers kids ages 8-17 a chance to race half-scale dragsters in a controlled environment long before they can obtain a state driver's license. Membership in IHRA is required for competition.

The cars that Jr. Drag Racing competitors race are called Jr. Dragsters and are half-scale versions of Top Fuel dragsters. Using a five-horsepower, single-cylinder engine, a Jr. Dragster can go as fast as 85 mph and as quick as 7.90 seconds in an eighth-mile.

Competition in the Jr. Drag Racing class is equalized by a handicapped starting system. This division of IHRA is designed to help build the ranks of tomorrow's stars while providing a fun family activity. And if you think that Jr. drag racing is just for the boys, think again. Of the Jr. Drag Racing class's roughly 4,500 members nationwide, about 35 percent are girls. How's that for girl power?

How do I get started?

The starting cost of a basic Jr. dragster is about $5,000. Though it may not go from 0 to 85 right away, investing in a basic Jr. Dragster is a great way to get started. You'll learn the basics of the sport and still get moving right along at about 45 mph. You can get Jr. Dragsters from ebay motors, Motivational Tubing, and there are also a few on the Alaska Raceway Park classifieds. You can get parts from Motivational Tubing, Cheetah Supply, Summit Racing, and Jegs.

In addition to having the parts and pieces needed to make a Jr. Dragster run, Alaska Raceway Park requires the racers be members of the IHRA and have necessary items such as an approved helmet, jacket, neck collar, and gloves. All drivers must also wear long pants and arm restraints while behind the wheel of their Jr. Dragster. Depending on the style of the items you choose, these items will cost about $500.

Meet the 2008 Junior Dragster Class:
Driver: Josh Mommsen Crew Chief: Zach Mommsen Age: 14, started at the age of 11. Car info: 2006 Motivational Tubing Pinnacle Lite. Engine: JR Racing stage 6 ZR engine. Sponsors: Alaska Safety, Harris Family Racing, Custom Crafts Unlimited, Mom and Dad. Best time to date: 7.92 @ 79mph in 1/8th Josh started racing at age 11 in a beginner car that we bought from another family at the track. He drove that car for two years before we moved him into the car he drives now. Josh lives for drag racing in the summer, but in the off season he enjoys skiing and wrestling and playing video games. (mostly drag racing games) His older brother Zach crew chiefs for him when work permits. This has been a very positive experience for both boys and the family as a whole. A family that races together, stays together.
If you are a current member of the Alaska Raceway Park Jr. Dragster class and would like to have a driver profile online, have your parents email a bio, and photo to Michelle Thanks!