Junior Dragsters Race #3 & 4

There's no April Fools at Barona 1/8th Mile Dragstrip last Saturday. That was when the Juniors blossomed up with Spring as the Junior Dragster series race #3 and #4 hit the dragstrip last Saturday, March 31st. A double header of the rising stars of Barona hit the track to give it their all.


Starting with the first batch of races, in Group 1, Tessa Clinton and her 01 Spitzer was up against Carlie Ball. Both racers had close dials and close reaction times, but Tessa's 12.556 E/T on a 12.40 E/T beat Carlie's 12.230 E/T on a 12.06 dial, giving Tessa the first Group 1 win.

Tessa Clinton, heading down the track in her 01 Spitzer on the way to winning the first Group 1 race.
In Group 2, Cy Mitchell was up against Carlie's big brother Caden, looking to make up for Carlie's earlier loss. But, Caden was a little too eager to get revenge, as he launched 42 thousandths of a second early, fouling out and giving Cy the Group 2 win.

Cy Mitchell, making his way down the track on his way to a Group 2 win.
Group 3 was up next, as Morgan Buchanan was up against Autumn Hight's 12 McGee. Autumn did their best but Morgan's .028 reaction time on top of a 8.002 E/T on a 8.00 dial was too hard to beat, giving Morgan the first Group 3 win.


And in Group 4, Hailey Pierce had an engagement with Cole Rouse, and Hailey had every plan to push it. But when the lights dropped, it'd be Cole who fired out too quickly with a -.009 R/T, fouling out and giving Hailey the Group 4 win.

Hailey Pierce, the first race's Group 4 winner, getting ready to launch.


And then everyone lined up, and did it all again! Group 1 got started with Carlie Ball making a comeback, trying to take the bracket win this time. He was up against Carleigh Garceau. Charleigh got off the line faster, but Carlie was right behind, as both racers push their vehicles out... until Carleigh finished with a 12.028 E/T on a 12.03 dial, breaking out by two thousandths of a second and losing... if Carlie didn't break out as well with a 12.047 E/T on a 12.09 dial. Carleigh was closer to their dial, so they got the win, and the second Group 1 bracket win!

Carlie Ball (Near) against Carleigh Garceau (Far) in the second Group 1 final)
In Group 2, Theresa Chatterton was up against Dylan Hegwood. Dylan would be closer to his dial with a 8.918 E/T on a 8.90 dial compared to Theresa's 9.012 E/T on a 8.97 dial, but Theresa's .040 reaction time beat out Dylan's .082 reaction by enough to make up that difference, and get Theresa the second Group 2 win.

​Dylan Hegwood (Near) in the Group 2 final against Theresa Chatterton (Far)

Group 3 rolled around next, as Jack Gates and his 05 Halfscale was matched up against Adam Shelden. Jack would go first, with an amazing .009 reaction time. Adam tried to match it, but instead launched 53 thousandths of a second early, fouling out and giving Jack the second Group 3 win

Adam Shelden (Near) against Jack Gates (Far) in the Group 3 Final.And finally, in Group 4, Dylan Oliveira, who is in his last season of Jr. Drags, brought his 13 Halfscale up to match with Nikki Rochin's 05 Halfscale. Dylan, seeking to go out with a bang, pushed his Halfscale dragster to a 8.044 E/T on a 8.00 dial, beating Nikki's 8.439 E/T on a 8.03 dial. Dylan closes out the Jr. Dragster weekend with a Group 4 win!
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Dylan Oliveira, posing with trophy, cash, and family after winning the second Group 4 race.
The Juniors head home, as the big boys come back for April 14th and 15th, as the NHRA Summit Series race #3 and #4 hit the 1/8th mile, as well as the SoCal Doorslammers and Prolight Series showing up on Saturday! Races start at 10AM. See you there