Both NHRA and IHRA feature a junior dragster development series on many of the tracks across the country. Kids ages 8-17 have the opportunity to race 1/2 scale dragsters based on their full sized top-fuel cousins. Powered by a 5 hp, single-cylinder engine these dragsters are capable of speeds upto 75mph and and 1/8th mile times of 7.90 seconds.

A handicap starting system is used to equalize the field, with the the field further divided into age groups to keep drivers of the same skill levels together. An junior drag racing is not for boys either with over 1/4 of the drivers being girls. Many of the tracks across the US offer weekly racing with the top points getters getting the opportunity to attend either a western finals or eastern finals. Each event has been known to host over 500 racers, and give out over $50,000.00 in savings bonds each.

Junior drag racing allows the whole family to become involved while developing the next generation of NHRA and IHRA stars.