Kelsy Jones

I have grew up around racing, watching my father and uncles race every weekend at Mason County Raceway in Havana, Illinois. When I was 7 years old, I was looking at the National Dragster and saw an article on a new class added, it was for junior dragsters. My dad and I read the article amazed, a class for kids to race, how awesome was that? Although my cousins stepped into the juniors a year before I did, I was more than ready to start racing when I turned 8.

The first year I raced, my cousin, Kari, and I received third place in points at Mason County. The junior drag racing program at MCR was so big that we even had a Junior Drag Racing League club. When I was 9 years old, my fellow racers voted me "Queen of the Junior Drag Racing League" at an overnighter we had and the next day I won the race. That was a major highlight of my junior career. I raced junior dragsters for 8 years, loving to go down to the track every weekend. When I turned 16, I sold my junior and stepped into the street class, racing my 1989 Cutlass Supreme. Although it was one of the slowest cars down there, I still won. It was great to go down to the track and beat the boys who had their souped up muscle cars. I think it taught them that you do not have to be the fastest car down there in order to win, although I do not feel it really sank in because they still had to make their cars faster and faster.

I also tried to bring a sense of sportsmanship to the street class at MCR. Most of the street racers are just beginning and do not have much experience in competing. After every race I would go up to the person I beat or lost to and tell them good race or good job. I got a lot of weird looks, but hopefully I taught them that it does not matter if you win or lose, what is most important is that you are having fun!! That is what drag racing is all about!

Last year my dad bought a 1982 Chevy S-10 that he has allowed me to race. This truck is faster and is more consistent. My lights were great in this truck and that is what won me the most races. I had a really good season and qualified for the Bracket Finals in Cordova, Illinois. I even received the honor of racing in the Modified Race of Champions.

Although I did not win, it was a lot of fun. Also last year, I drove my dad's 1965 Chevy II Nova, which is a Top E.T. or Super Pro car. That was the highlight of my season. I had always wanted to drive that car and finally getting to was awesome. Next year I hope to do even better in the truck and maybe even run my dad's car sometimes!