Racer Bio: Joey Petrone

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Joey Petrone!

Quick Facts

Name:  Joey Petrone Age:  16  Hometown:  Chandler, AZ Home Track:  Wild Horse Pass Team/Crew Name:  Joey "Drags" Petrone Racing                                  ^Click to follow him on Facebook! Team/Members:  Chris, Anthony, Stephanie All About Joey How long have you been racing? 8 years How did you get into Jr Dragster?  My father is into muscle cars and took me to the dragstrip when I was very young.  I fell in love with the junior dragsters right away! What is your favorite thing about racing? I have made the most amazing friends. Division 7 families are like one big family!! What is your favorite track to race on? I like Tucson, Vegas, Barona and of course, Wild Horse Pass! What is one word that describes you best? Perseverance.  I never give up!  What sets you apart from other racers? My Father is an excellent crew chief.  We work very well together as a team.  I also am known for my record in AZ with 21 Wally wins. What are some of your racing accomplishments?  Highlights -4x local track champion -21x Wally Winner (by far record holder in state - next closest racer with 4 Wally wins) -Was a Division 7 Champion -Won Race of Champions -Was a Jr. Finals Champion 2018 -NHRA Division 7 Series Wally Winner @ WHP -Currently #1 in points at WHP in Jr. Comp -Currently #1 in Points Division 7 Series in Jr. Comp 2017 -Arizona Shoot Out Champion Wally Winner -Halloween Havoc Wally Winner -NHRA Division 7 Series Wally Winner @ Barona -WHP Track Series Runner-Up (7.90 Class) -WHP Track Series Runner-Up (Jr. Comp) -ET Finals Runner-Up 2016 -NHRA Race of Champions Winner (Jr. Comp) -NHRA Divisional Race Champion at Sacramento (Ages 13-14) -NHRA National Dragster Wally Challenge Champion @Wild Horse Pass (Jr. Comp) 2015 -Recipient of Jr. Dragster Magazine's Top Performer Award (January 2015 Edition) -NHRA National Dragster Wally Challenge Winner @ Wild Horse Pass (Ages 6-12) -NHRA Race of Champions Winner (Ages 10-12) -NHRA Divisional Race Champion @ Barona (Ages 10-12) -Wild Horse Pass Track Champion (Ages 6-12) -NHRA ET Finals Runner-Up 2014 -NHRA National Dragster Wally Challenge Winner @ Wild Horse Pass (Ages 8-12) -Wild Horse Pass Track Champion (Ages 8-12) -NHRA Divisional Race Champion @ Sacramento -NHRA Race of Champions Runner-Up 2013 -NHRA National Dragster Wally Challenge Winner @ Firebird (Ages 8-12) 2012 -NHRA Divisional Race Champion @ Barona (Ages 8-9) -NHRA Divisional Race Champion @ Famoso (Ages 8-9) -NHRA Pacific Division Champion (Ages 8-9) -NHRA Speedworld Jr. Dragster Wally Challenge Champion 2011 -NHRA ET Finals Champion (Ages 8-9) -NHRA National Dragster Wally Challenge Winner @ Fontana (Ages 8-9) -NHRA Divisional Race Champion @ Speedworld (Ages 8-9) -NHRA Speedworld Jr. Dragster Wally Challenge 2010 -NHRA National Dragster Wally Challenge Champion @ Firebird (Ages 8-9) -Team Firebird Track Champion 12.90 Class **Exciting non-racing accomplishment: Joey is an excellent student and takes all Honors classes. He was recently accepted into the HARVARD MedScience program this summer.  He will be studying at the HARVARD campus in Cambridge, MA this July.  Only 130 high school students were chosen for this program nationwide.  Joey has dreams of becoming a doctor one day. What are your goals for this season?   I would like to get both of my cars in the winner's circle on the same weekend during a Wally race! What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing? I also race Formula Ford cars (open wheel, road racing). I have a swift DB1 racecar.  I play flag football & basketball for my high school. I love science too!

Racer Bio: McKenzee Hogan

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McKenzee Hogan!

Quick Facts

Name:  McKenzee Hogan Age:  7  Hometown:  Youngsville, NC Home Track:  Galot Motorsports Park Team/Crew Name:  Hogan Motorsports                        ^Click to follow her on Facebook! Team/Members:  Skip Hogan (Crew Chief) All About McKenzee How long have you been racing? Practiced all last year, this year will be the first year racing. How did you get into Jr Dragster?  Family races What is your favorite thing about racing? The people at the track and going fast What is your favorite track to race on? Galot Motorsports Park What is one word that describes you best? Funny What sets you apart from other racers? Racing isn't just about winning. It's about having fun. What are some of your racing accomplishments? 2018 -Runner-up at Roxboro Motorsports Park (March 31) -Won first race at Roxboro Park (May 5) What are your goals for this season?   To qualify for all of my races What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing? Play with my friends

Racer Bio: Makala Stevens

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Makala Stevens!

Shout out to Drag Coverage for the great photo!

Quick Facts

Name:  Makala Stevens Age:  16  Hometown:  Lexington, SC Home Track:  Darlington Dragway Team/Crew Name:  Dead on Racing                                  ^Click to follow her on Facebook! Team/Members:  Megan and Eric (Robert) Stevens All About Makala How long have you been racing? 2 years How did you get into Jr Dragster?  I went to Zmaxx 4 wide, saw them there and immediately knew it was something I was interested in. What is your favorite thing about racing? I love the time I get to spend with family and friends, meeting new people, and going fast. What is your favorite track to race on? Rockingham, NC What is one word that describes you best? Outgoing What sets you apart from other racers? My drive to win and be the best I can be What are some of your racing accomplishments?  I've runner'd up at least 2 times. What are your goals for this season?   To try my best in every race that I'm in and capture some wins this season What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing? Hanging out with friends and playing with my Great Danes

Racer Bio: Raul Meza

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Raul Meza!

Quick Facts

Name:  Raul Meza Age:  15  Hometown:  Lehigh Acres, FL Home Track:  Palm Beach International Raceway Team/Crew Name:  Drag Enterprises (the car                                  is The  Alpha)                                  ^Click to follow him on Facebook! Team/Members:  Robert Boren, Madeleyne Santiago,                               Jairo Hoyos All About Raul How long have you been racing? Since I was 11 How did you get into Jr Dragster?  My mother raced imports when she was younger and I have been around race cars since I was born.  I love it. What is your favorite thing about racing? Hanging out with my friends and winning What is your favorite track to race on? Palm Beach International What is one word that describes you best? Happy What sets you apart from other racers? I am always complimented on my sportsmanship and ability to continue smiling and being happy even when I don't win. What are some of your racing accomplishments?  My racing has been challenging as this was new for my mom.  I did well the first year with 3 trophies from local races and 2 wins at my track.  The first year in the 7.90 advanced class was challenging but we managed to stay top 5 in points every year.  We have won some points races.  This year we are in a better position because my step-dad knows a lot about race cars and has been able to get my car consistent and doing well.  We expect a great year and many appearances. What are your goals for this season?   I want to win ECF! What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing? I'm a soccer fan. I played soccer as my main sport until I made the choice to dedicate myself to racing because I want to be a professional.  I still play and watch soccer often.  I Pokemon Go hunt with my mom and stepdad. It became a family thing. I also play basketball and online games with local friends.

Racer Bio: Cole Grayson

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Cole Grayson!

Quick Facts

Name:  Cole Grayson Age:  8  Hometown:  Whitwell, TN Home Track:  Brainerd Motorsports Park and                         Huntsville Dragway Team/Crew Name:  Grayson Motorsports                         ^Click to follow him on Facebook! Team/Members: Matt, Jennifer, Mattie, Karsyn All About Cole How long have you been racing? This will be my 3rd year. How did you get into Jr Dragster?  My dad races. What is your favorite thing about racing? Hanging out with my friends and winning What is your favorite track to race on? Huntsville What is one word that describes you best? Fun What sets you apart from other racers? I have the best driving teacher (my Dad). What are some of your racing accomplishments?  2017 -5 finals -1 win 2016 -3 finals -1 win What are your goals for this season?   5 wins and 10 finals What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing? I enjoy playing with my sisters and playing football with my friends.

Racer Bio: Jenna Kirk

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Jenna Kirk!

Quick Facts

Name:  Jenna Kirk Age:  15  Hometown:  Henderson, NV Home Track:  Las Vegas Motor Speedway Team/Crew Name:  Kirk Racing                         ^Click to follow her on Facebook! Team/Members: Randy & Josh Kirk All About Jenna How long have you been racing? 8 years. How did you get into Jr Dragster?  My family has an interest in cars which then led to drag racing.  Racing has been in my family for over 25 years.  When we lived in Alaska, my family was part owners of the race track. What is your favorite thing about racing? My favorite thing about racing is the family atmosphere and the great friends you make that become like family to you. What is your favorite track to race on? My favorite track is Tulsa Raceway Park where I won the Western Conference Championship King/Queen race. What is one word that describes you best? Determined. What sets you apart from other racers? I have a drive to never give up on bad days and I always want to improve myself to make me better. What are some of your racing accomplishments?  2017 -Finished 4th place at Western Conference Championship, 1 point out of third, after missing 2 races due to my dad being in the hospital 2016 -Won 1st place at the Western Conference Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma -Finished in 5th place at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix AZ 2015 -Finished 3rd overall in points for the year Miscellaneous -Multiple 1st place finishes at different tracks in Phoenix, AZ, Salt Lake City, UT, Las Vegas, NV, and Tulsa, OK -3 team championships at the Western Conference Finals in Salt Lake City, UT and Tulsa, OK -Multiple runner-ups at each track as well What are your goals for this season?   My goals for this season are to regroup from last season and finish top 3 in points.