NHRA Junior Championship Series Opens at Famoso After Weather Delay

SATURDAY RECAP

Story and Photos by Tom Macht

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The NHRA Junior Championship Series officially kicked off its opening weekend Saturday at Famoso Dragstrip, though Mother Nature had other plans early in the day.

Morning weather delays pushed the start of on-track action back, forcing officials to adjust the schedule. Despite the late start, teams and racers remained patient as track crews worked to get racing underway. Once cars finally fired, competitors were able to complete part of Day 1 competition, setting the stage for a busy Sunday.

Racing will resume Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m., where the remainder of Day 1 eliminations will be wrapped up before transitioning directly into Day 2 of the NHRA Junior Championship Series event. With two days of racing packed into one, crews and drivers will be challenged to stay sharp and consistent as the weekend unfolds.

Beyond points and bragging rights, racers this weekend are chasing something special. Winners in the NHRA Junior Championship Series have the opportunity to earn one of the coveted 75th Anniversary Diamond Wally trophies, celebrating 75 years of NHRA drag racing history.

With weather now expected to cooperate, Sunday promises a full slate of junior drag racing action as some of the sport’s youngest competitors take center stage at Famoso, all with a Diamond Wally firmly in their sights.

Famoso Hosts Historic Weekend as First 75th Anniversary Diamond Wallys Are Awarded

SUNDAY RECAP

Story and Photos by Tom Macht

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The NHRA Junior Championship Series opened its season with a historic weekend at Famoso Dragstrip, where the first 75th Anniversary Diamond Wally trophies ever awarded by NHRA — in any category — were presentedfollowing completion of Race No. 1 and Race No. 2.

After weather delayed the start of racing Saturday, competitors returned Sunday morning to finish Race No. 1 before moving into Race No. 2 later in the day. Once on track, racing unfolded smoothly as young drivers showcased consistency, focus, and competitive maturity throughout the weekend.

In addition to earning the historic Diamond Wally trophies, each winner also received a certificate from Ted Wiens Complete Auto Service for one pail of Torco methanol, adding to the significance of the milestone event.

Race No. 1 Winners

  • Junior Group 1 (ages 6–9): Connor Monise

  • Junior Group 2 (ages 10–12): McKenzie Nelson

  • Junior Group 3 (ages 13–14): Dylan Nelson

  • Junior Group 4 (ages 15–17): Isabella Lily Pires

  • Junior Comp: Emersosyn Rose Pires

Race No. 2 Winners

  • Junior Group 1 (ages 6–9): Connor Casner

  • Junior Group 2 (ages 10–12): Abran Grado

  • Junior Group 3 (ages 13–14): Parker Howe

  • Junior Group 4 (ages 15–17): Allison Bolle

  • Junior Comp: Logan Oliveira

With the first Diamond Wallys of NHRA’s 75th Anniversary now officially awarded, the 2026 NHRA Junior Championship Series began with a landmark moment — one that will be remembered as the point where NHRA history started with its youngest racers at Famoso Dragstrip.

SUNDAY PICTURES