When Vince Napp, an NHRA member-track owner with a passion
for drag racing, built a half-scale dragster for his
kids in 1991, he never dreamed that his invention would
launch an exciting new sport for thousands of young
people across North America. But, that's exactly what
happened.
Early in 1992, Napp showed his dragster to National
Hot Rod (NHRA) officials. It was a timely presentation
considering the NHRA had already been planning a publication
for its younger drag racing fans. The Junior Dragster
became a catalyst for the NHRA to start a whole new
league: The Junior Drag Racing League (JDRL).
The
Junior Dragsters were unveiled to the public on July
9, 1992, during the 23rd annual Mopar Parts Nationals
at Napp's Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown,
New Jersey. The capacity crowd witnessed the first Junior
Dragster exhibition race by Jill Caliendo and Napp's
son, David.
Two
more dragsters were built, and the exhibition tour continued
through the remaining 10 NHRA national events of the
1992 season. At each site, an information tent was on
display to determine interest and solicit information
sign ups. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
NHRA member tracks began adding JDRL programs, and dozens
of builders began filling orders for Junior Dragsters.
Racers
began competing at local tracks in 1993 as the league
grew at an astounding rate. Jr. DRAGSTER, the official
publication of the JDRL, debuted in September of that
year.
In
1994, NHRA sponsored the first Junior Drag Racing League
National Championships at Indianapolis Raceway Park
in Indianapolis. More than 500 young drivers qualified
and participated.
Each
season, the JDRL continues to achieve new levels of
success. Seven years after the first exhibition run,
the JDRL has approximately 5,000 members, 4,000 of which
compete at more than 130 tracks across North America.
The NHRA Junior Drag Racing League Eastern and Western
Conference Finals are the premier events of the JDRL
season, awarding more than $1 million in scholorships
since 1994.
Additional Links
About
The JDRL
Frequently
Asked Questions About The JDRL
