Mario Gonzalez: DragChamp Jr Racer Spotlight

August 3, 2023

Mario Gonzalez is in this week’s DragChamp Jr Racer Spotlight. Learn all about this DragChamp Pro Member in his spotlight below!

RICHMOND, TX- Mario Gonzalez has been racing Junior Dragsters for just over a year and a half and in that short amount of time, he has really started to make a name for himself. He was first introduced to the sport of drag racing through his stepdad, Donny Burleson. At just 9 years old, Donny took Mario to his first bracket race at Houston Raceway Park and since that moment, he fell in love with the sport.

His home track was previously Houston Raceway Park before it closed it doors earlier this year. Now, he frequents Xtreme Raceway Park, Texas Motorplex, and State Capitol Raceway. Mario also travels a bit to chase big money Junior Dragster races.

Just this past year, Mario Gonzalez earned the 2022 DragChamp Jr. Racer Rookie of the Year title presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance.

His Race Car

Mario’s current Junior Dragster is a 2019 Halfscale that Donny purchased at the end of 2021 from Chris Wilson. It has a 3 1/2 ZR4 Craws motor onboard.

Mario’s Major Accomplishments

2022 DragChamp Jr Racer Rookie of the Year
$5k winner at Prescott Raceway
Back-to-back Southern Big Buck Nationals winner
Made it to the finals of my first WCF
Numerous semi final appearances in Southwest Jr. Dragster Series
Made it to semis at WCF and the ECF $5k shootout this year
Won Gleghorn and Ezells practice tree race at Texas Motorplex

Mario’s Q&A

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

I hope to win as many big money bracket races as I can. I make my big car debut this November, and I hope to be a deadly force as soon as I start.

Which win are you the most proud of?

Definitely the Prescott $5K. It was a lot of rounds and I was .030 total or better the last 4 rounds of the race.

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?

Donny b for sure. He is the one who taught me all about bracket racing, and he sends me to the biggest jr races even when he can’t make it.

Who do you look up to in the sport?

Donny Burleson, Shane Carr, and Bart Nelson. I’ve been around those guys since the start, and they are some of the best bracket racers around, and I hope to solidify my status of being as good as them in big cars one day.

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

No one, I focus on my race and what I have to do to turn the electricity in my lane on.

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

Finding your spot on the tree after you lost it

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

That feeling when your win light comes on after ripping from the 330.

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

Finish line, I don’t know many people who cut in cars .00 while holding a tenth their first race.

Favorite movie or TV show?

Talledega nights or Benchwarmers, they are both my favorite movies.

Favorite music, artist?

I listen to rap to country to Latino music, but my favorite artist would have to be Kevin Gates, bros songs always go hard no matter what.

Where do you spend the most time on the internet?

Scrolling through TikTok and Facebook looking for racecars I know I’m not gonna get.

What is your favorite sport? Favorite team?

Soccer, Manchester United, I’ve been a fan as early as I can remember. But for football I love the Texans.

Besides racing, what do you do in your free time?

I’m a varsity starter for soccer and kicker for football team. I like to play video games with my friends and I like to sleep.

Name one thing most people don’t know about you?

I have a 5.13 gpa and I play guitar and bass

What’s your favorite thing to eat? Individual item, meal, or restaurant?

Rolls from Texas Roadhouse

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

Donny burleson for putting his time and money for letting me race even though I may suck. And Sam rufenacht and Chris Farley for taking me to races far away. Also my sponsors GETM carbs, go lithium batteries, and abbruzzi converters and transmissions

What is a piece of advice that you’d give to an aspiring racer?

Surround yourself by great racers and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. And play a lot of Doorslammers.