Johnson, Stafford, Peterson go for $1,500 top prize

Southeast Jr. Dragsters lead weekend Dragway slate

ROCKINGHAM — Reigning track champion Noah Johnson of Fayetteville, 2014 Carolina Coalition series champion Ashleigh Stafford of Kernersville and Samuel Peterson of Richland, Mich. will be among those to watch this week in the battle for a $1,500 top prize in the Southeast Jr. Dragster Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway.

A Rockingham Dragway photo
Samuel Peterson

The second annual event will feature a special 4-10 p.m. test-and-tune session on Friday followed by two days of racing in three different Jr. Dragster classes.

Big money will be on the line in Bracket 1, where 12-17 year-old Jr. drivers will vie for $1,500 in racing Saturday and Sunday. A $500 top prize will go to the winners in Bracket 2 (drivers 11 and under) and in Pro Dragster (7.90 target). In addition, another $500 winner’s share will be up for grabs in a special heads-up race over a 330-foot course on Saturday.

“The Jr. Dragster program not only cultivates our next generation of racers, it’s where we make our new fans, too,” said Rockingham owner Steve Earwood. “With the growth of the Jr. program, this is a natural progression – an event where the Jr. cars are stars.”

Time trials are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and for new entries only at 10 a.m.on Sunday. Eliminations will follow immediately. Adult tickets are $35 for the weekend or $20 on Sunday only. Children twelve and under are admitted free.