Carter, Willard Claim $5K Wins at Brainerd Thanksgiving Jr. Nationals

Thirteen racers captured wins at the annual Brainerd Motorsports Park Thanksgiving Jr. Nationals.

Photos by Donnie Jones

RINGGOLD, GA- The Brainerd Motorsports Park Thanksgiving Jr. Nationals took place from November 29- December 1, 2024, highlighting the next generation of drag racers—Junior Dragster drivers aged 6-17. This exciting annual event featured two $1,000-to-win Off the Trailer Shootouts, two $5,000 Main Events, a $5,000 Team Race, Outlaw 330, and a $1,500-to-win Saturday 32-Car Shootout. In addition to these high-stakes races, the event also included a Pit Vehicle Race and the always entertaining Parent’s Race.

See full results below!

Thursday Results

Pit Vehicle Race

The Thanksgiving Jr. Nationals kicked off the weekend with a good ole’ pit vehicle race! Dexter Gomez ended up getting the final round win while driving the slowest vehicle in the race.

Friday Results

Due to popular demand, the Off the Trailer Shootouts featured two shootouts, each with 32 cars competing. With no time runs or time slips allowed, the pressure was on from the start. Each shootout offered a $1,000 prize to the winner!

Off The Trailer Shootout #1

Kaden Pruett emerged victorious in the first Off the Trailer Shootout, defeating Landon Grayson in the final round.

Off The Trailer Shootout #2

Tommy Stuckey clinched a win in the second Off the Trailer Shootout, picking up the final round victory over Lexie Goddard.

Friday’s $5K

In Friday’s $5K event, Kileigh Carter secured the final-round victory over Gage Byerly.

Carson Emmett and Waylon Bennett also delivered strong performances, advancing to the semi-finals.

Waylon Blevins was the last-standing 6-9-year-old racer in the competition and earned a bonus for his efforts.

Saturday Results

Team Race $5K

This year’s Thanksgiving Jr. Nationals $5,000-to-win Team Race brought together teams of five racers, each comprising two 12 & up (7.50/7.90) racers, two 12 & younger (8.90/11.90) racers, and one wild card (any age) racer. With a $500 entry fee per team and no buybacks, the stakes were high for all competitors.

The winning team was made up of Cole Grayson, Logan Grayson, Mattie Grayson, Hutch Harger, and Kane Kern. The runner-up team put up a strong fight and included Colten Reed, Cohen Reed, Paul Stalba, Brantley Utz, and AJ Trauth.

Outlaw 330

Kaden Pruett defeated his brother, Landon Pruett in the Outlaw 330 class final round.

32-Car Shootout

Easton Hodge claimed victory in the $1,500-to-win Saturday night 32-Car Shootout, defeating Hannah Lindsey in the final round.

Parent’s Race

In the always so exciting Parent’s Race, Jake Hodge scored the final round win over Jake Stamper.

Sunday’s $5K

In Sunday’s $5K event, Will Willard defeated Carson Emmett in the final round.

Carson Weid also had an impressive performance, advancing two entries to the semi-finals.

Hutch Harger made an outstanding showing as the last-standing 6-9-year-old racer in the competition. He successfully moved both his entries to the next age group and took one entry all the way to the ladder of 8 out of 132 total entries.

Congratulations to all winners and finalists from the Brainerd Motorsports Park Thanksgiving Jr. Nationals.

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