Junior Dragster Challenge brings speed, STEM and $26K prize to LI

Race Track Not Street held its Junior Dragster Challenge last Sunday at the EPCAL drag strip in Calverton, bringing together 31 drivers aged 6 to 17 to compete for a record-breaking $26,000 prize purse — the largest payout in NHRA-sanctioned junior drag racing history.

The competition featured two age brackets. In Class A (ages 6-10), Kole Paone claimed victory with Guilia Held as runner-up, while Jordan Michael Denny won Class B (ages 11-17), with Paul Stalbe finishing second.

Part of the NHRA Summit Racing Junior Drag League, the event showcased young drivers’ skills in racing and engineering, blending STEM education with the excitement of competitive motorsports. The league allows youths to race half-scale dragsters at over 130 NHRA tracks in the U.S. and Canada, with vehicles reaching speeds of up to 85 mph in under eight seconds.

The day’s activities also included the Eliminator Bracket class, where Bill Staab took first place, and a “Run What Ya Brung” test-and-tune for fans to drive their own cars on the drag strip. A go-kart track added additional fun for spectators, drawing local tourists and benefiting Long Island’s motorsports, manufacturing and engineering industries.

For more information, visit racetracknotstreet.com.