CJ Jenkins: Making Waves in the Junior Dragster Ranks

This week’s DragChamp Jr. Racer Spotlight is all about 3X Junior Dragster track champion, CJ Jenkins.

JAMESVILLE, NC- Corris “CJ” Jenkins IV has been racing in the Junior Dragster ranks for the past four years. He got introduced to the sport by watching Top Fuel drag racing on TV, and then asking his Dad to go the local racetrack. Once he got to the track, he noticed the Junior Dragsters and the rest is history. His grandfather used to drag race as well.

CJ competes in the NHRA (13-18 year old class), IHRA, PDRA (Pro class), and JDRL. He frequently races Galot Motorsports Park.

To learn more about CJ, check out his racing FB page, 271X Racing.

About his Race Car

Initially, he had a beginner car and his dad told him that if CJ won a championship that he would buy him a new car… and that year, he won two championships.

With his old race car, people would tell him that he was cutting the tree down often, meaning cutting good lights, and on the way to school one day he came up with the name “Executor”. Then, him and his dad started building a new car from there.

His current car is a 2019 Mike Bos chassis with a Beeline ZR4 engine onboard. It runs about 83 mph and they have owned it for 3 years.

In addition to his driving duties, CJ also helps with engine swaps between his 8.90 and 7.90 motor, fueling his car, prepping his tires, adjusting stagger in his front wheels, and changing weight changes.

Favorite Win and Goals

CJ is most proud of winning the 2018 MAC Team Conference Finals because that was the race where he had to be sharp on both ends of the track. As a 10-year-old, he went through a 50+ car field three times and won twice.

His ultimate goal is to become a Professional Top Fuel Drag Racer. While in his Junior Dragster, he hopes to one day win an NHRA Championship and a PDRA Championship. He would also like to be names DragChamp Driver of the Month and Year. On his bucket list, he would like to win at least five times at all NHRA tracks.

Outside of Racing

When CJ isn’t behind the wheel of his dragster, he can be found helping his Dad on their poultry farm where they raise chickens. He helps run heavy machinery, tractors, skidsteers, and anything that has a gas pedal and steering wheel. CJ also enjoys watching Tiktoks and riding four wheelers. His favorite food is macaroni and cheese and his favorite restaurant is Texas Roadhouse.

CJ’s Accomplishments

• 3X Track Champion
• 3X NHRA Wally Winner (2021)
• 2021 PDRA North South Shootout #1 Qualifier
• 10X PDRA Qualifier
• 6th Ranked Junior Dragster Driver in the World (PDRA) as of 2020.
• 2X IHRA World Qualifier
• 2018 MAC Team Finalist
• 2018 WITN Pepsi Player of the Week
• Over 20 Race Wins

CJ’s Q&A

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?

God has given me a strong family that believes and supports my dreams, along with my sponsors who help contribute to my drag race team so I can do what I really love, which is drag racing. I thank God for all the people that are in my life that help to make this a successful drag racing team.

Who do you look up to in the sport?

I look up to Clay Millican because he is a very humble driver, whether he wins or loses, and I would like to be more like him. Though, in the Junior Dragster World I look at myself as a trendsetter for other minorities in the sport.

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?

The only people I hate to see in the other lane are my friends, but I become more motivated when racing strong opponents because it is a learning tool for making me sharper. The saying says “To be the best, you have to beat the best.”

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

The hardest part about drag racing is being consistent; mentally, physically, and mechanically.

What do you enjoy the most about racing?

I enjoy winning, winning, winning. I will most definitely be humble when I lose, but when I win, I win!

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

I love to win but even though I lose sometimes I get to learn from my mistakes and configure ways to improve. However, sometimes even with a good package I could lose to someone with a better package, and that just means it wasn’t my day and I just continue to move forward.

Most of the time if I lose it’s my dad’s fault 😉

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?

I am better at the starting line because I can control the finish line based off of my reaction times and there are less variables.

Favorite movie or TV show?

My favorite movie is “Now You See Me 2.”

Favorite music, artist?

My favorite music genres are Country and Hip-Hop. My favorite artist is Drake.

Where do you spend the most time on the internet?

I spend the most time on Instagram because I can keep track of the different races scheduled and see what my friends are doing.

What is your favorite sport? Favorite team?

My favorite sport is Drag Racing. My favorite team in football is the Kansas City Chiefs.

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?

First, I am going to always thank God. I would also thank my family and my sponsors for supporting me. Then, lastly I would like to thank my friends for their support as well.

What advice would you give to young aspiring racers?

Don’t ever think that someone else is better than you. Because you might start to believe it.

For more DragChamp Jr. Spotlights, click here.