Dylan MacNicol: Competitive Florida Racer
This week’s DragChamp Jr. Racer Spotlight is all about two-time NHRA Division 2 Champion, Dylan MacNicol.
NORTH PORT, FL- Dylan MacNicol was born with racing in his veins. Both of his parents have been heavily involved in drag racing for as long as they can remember. His Dad, Kevin has raced for the last 34 years and is a competitive Super Street racer today and his Mom, Alisa used to kick butt in a race car but now says she is “retired”.
Dylan was introduced to the racetrack at just four weeks old and always knew that he would get his chance behind the wheel of a race car just like his parents. He got licensed at six years old but started racing in competition right after he turned seven.
Check out his official racing Facebook page, Dylan MacNicol Racing.
He currently races in the Junior Dragster 10-12 year old class. Bradenton Motorsports Park is his home track but he follows the NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional Division 2 circuit. Dylan has quite the list of accomplishments which includes two NHRA Lucas Oil Division 2 Junior Dragster Championships, 14 Wallys, and 4 Ironmans.
Current Race Car
Dylan’s current car is a 2021 McIlvain Race Cars Junior Dragster that he started racing in February of 2021 with a Craws ZR3 engine onboard. Previously, he ran a 2006 Half Scale with a Craws Racing ZR3 engine and before that he ran a L206 engine on his Half Scale.
Bucket List & Future Goals
In the future, Dylan would like to win more Championships. He is currently sitting in first place for this year’s NHRA Lucas Oil Division 2 Series. He would also like to win the Eastern Conference Finals. Lastly, he wants to just continue racing and eventually move to a big car to compete alongside his Dad.
Giving Thanks
Dylan would like to thank his parents for helping to support his racing. He is also thankful for his sponsors: FTI Farm Team, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Tires, K&N Filters, and North Port Auto Body. Lastly, Dylan would like to thank his fellow racing friends for continuing to support him and giving him advice when he needs it.
Dylan’s Major Accomplishments
- Won first two events ever entered (IHRA Double Divisional)
- 14 NHRA Wallys
- 4 IHRA Ironmans (2 of them being National Events)
- 2 NHRA Lucas Oil Division 2 Championships
- Member of FTI Farm Team since 2018
Dylan’s Q&A
What are you saying to yourself just before you stage the car?
Right before I stage my car, I take a deep breath and say, “don’t mess this up”.
What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?
I enjoy meeting new people, making new friends, hanging out and just having a good time at the racetrack.
Are you superstitious? If so, what are they?
No, I’m not superstitious.
Do you love to win or hate to lose?
Both, but if I had to pick one, I would say I love to win because even when I lose, I usually just learned something.
Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?
I think I do well at both the starting line and the finish line, but I think I maybe a little better at the finish line.
What’s your most embarrassing moment in a race car?
I would have to say my most embarrassing moment in a race car would be the first time I raced on a ¼ mile track when I was 7 years old. I passed the 1/8th mile finish line and kept running the car to her ¼ mile. When my mom and dad picked me up, I told them something was wrong with the engine. After my dad replaced a bunch of parts, he realized what I was doing, and that the car was hitting the rev limiter. He walked me over and showed me the finish line for the 1/8 mile instead of the ¼ mile.
What motivates you to continue racing?
I am motivated to always learn and try to do better.
If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like? Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.
Well, I’m only 12 and I can’t drive yet, and I can only race a junior so I guess everything would look the same, but I bet my dad would have some upgraded equipment (rig, trailer, car schedule etc.).
How often do you use a practice tree?
I don’t use a practice tree enough according to my parents.
What’s the hardest part of drag racing?
I would have to say the hardest part of racing for me is hitting the tree.
What is your favorite race car, and why?
I like lots of cars, but I would have to say my favorite is my dad’s 1969 Pontiac Firebird. I like Pontiacs because they are different, and my dad’s car is just a cool Pontiac racecar.
What is your daily driver?
Again, I’m only 12 so I guess my daily driver would be my 2001 Kawasaki KLX110, my Honda Recon ATV or my bicycle.
Besides racing, what do you do in your free time?
In my free time, when I am not racing, I like to fish, ride my mountain bike, dirt bike and ATV.
Favorite movie or TV show?
My favorite movie is Smokey and the Bandit and for TV shows I like America’s funny videos.
Favorite music, artist?
I usually listen to Country music so I guess that would be my favorite.
Where do you spend the most time on the internet?
I definitely spend most of my time on the internet watching YouTube.
What is your favorite sport? Favorite team?
My favorite sport is Drag Racing of course!
What are you really good at?
I think I am really good at fishing and I can ride a pretty killer wheelie on my mountain bike.
Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?
I don’t really worry about who is in the other lane too much but lately I take notice to a racer that I race with locally named Kimoni Hamilton. I just can’t seem to get around him lately.
Tell us what you do for a living?
Well, since I am only 12, I am a 6th grade student, but I help out around the house doing my chores and even cut grass sometimes to earn extra money.
Name one thing most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know I am scared to death of snakes.
Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home?
I would rather hang out with a group of my friends so crowed it is.
What’s your favorite thing to eat? Individual item, meal, or restaurant?
My favorite thing to eat is my mom’s tacos (with sugar on them of course – hey don’t judge until you try it)
For more DragChamp Jr. Spotlights, click here, here, and here.
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