US 13 Dragway to Host Summer Kick-Off Jr. Dragster Nationals

Spend Memorial Day weekend at the US 13 Dragway Summer Kick-Off Jr. Dragster Nationals, May 21-24, 2026.

DELMAR, DE- Calling all Junior Dragster racers—this one’s for you! Introducing the Summer Kick-Off Jr. Dragster Nationals, coming to US 13 Dragway on May 21–24, 2026.

Friday kicks things off with a Test n’ Tune session, followed by a $500-to-win Gamblers Race. Saturday features the Index Extravaganza races and the $10,000 Main Event. Sunday wraps up the weekend with the $2,000-to-win Bracket Blitz, Memorial Day for Moms Race, Aged Out Race, Last Chance Race, Pit Vehicle Race, and a thank-you party!

Memorial Day Monday will act as a rain date or travel day. Spectators and crew are $15 per day or $40 for the weekend.

Now, let’s break it all down!

Friday Test n’ Tune / Gamblers / Covered Dish Party & Game Night

Parking opens Thursday, with gates open from 5 PM to 10 PM. On Friday, gates open at 10 AM, with a $50 Test n’ Tune session running from 12 noon to 6 PM.

The Gamblers Race will be an all-run format, with one time run beginning at 6 PM. The entry fee is $50. The winner will take home $500, the runner-up will receive $150, and semi-finalists will earn $75 each.

If there are more than 32 entries, the payout increases to $750 for the winner, $250 for the runner-up, and $100 for semi-finalists.

Friday night will also host a covered dish party and game night featuring LRC and corn hole from 9PM-11PM.

Saturday Index Extravaganza Races

Index classes will be divided into 7.90, 8.90, 11.90, and 12.90. Each class winner will receive $500 and a $10,000 Main Event entry (a $200 value). The runner-up in each class will earn $100, semi-finalists will receive $75, and quarter-finalists will take home $50.

The entry fee is $50, with a $20 buyback option available. Each Index class requires a minimum of 16 cars.

Once a winner has been crowned in each class, all winners will compete in a “Run for the Belt” runoff, where the champion will take home a custom championship belt.

$10K Main Event

Saturday’s $10,000-to-win Main Event will feature a $200 entry fee, with an $80 buyback option available if needed. Racers will be divided into three age groups: 6–9, 10–13, and 14–17. Each group will compete until one racer remains, and that winner will advance to the next age group. This process continues until one final racer is crowned champion.

The overall winner will take home $10,000, the runner-up will earn $1,000, and semi-finalists will receive $500. Round money will begin with fourth-round losers. A time run will also be offered, but it is limited to new entries only.

Payout is based on 70 entries. If fewer than 70 entries are received, the winner’s portion will be prorated. A ladder will be used once the field reaches 16 cars or fewer, and it will be re-randomized each round. Lane choice will be determined by best reaction time. IHRA rules apply.

Sunday Bracket Blitz $2K

Sunday will be an action packed day starting out with the $2,000-to-win Bracket Blitz event. Gates will open at 9AM with one time run to be followed by eliminations. This will be an all-run event with a $80 entry fee and a $40 buyback. The purse is based on 48 cars. The winner will collect $2,000, runner-up will earn $800, and semi-finalists will pocket $400. Round money begins with 4th round losers.

Sunday Extras

Memorial Day for Moms Race

It’s Mom’s turn to take the wheel and race down the track! The Memorial Day for Moms Race will feature a $50 entry fee, with a $20 buyback option available, and an 80% payout.

Aged Out Race

Too old to race Juniors but still want a chance to get behind the wheel? Enter the Age Out Race! Racers ages 18 and up will compete for an 80% payout with a $50 entry fee and no buybacks.

Last Chance Race

Here’s one more chance to cash in! Drivers who have not won a round in any event are eligible for the Last Chance Race. This is a FREE-entry race, where the winner will take home $250 and the runner-up will earn $100. No buybacks will be offered.

Pit Vehicle Race & Thank You Party

With Monday being a holiday for many, why not stay a while and enjoy the Racer’s Thank You Party and Pit Vehicle Race?

Sunday night’s Thank You Party, from 8 PM to midnight, will feature a DJ and a BBQ dinner. At 8 PM, the Pit Vehicle Race will kick off, featuring an 80% payout and a $20 entry fee (two entries max). There will be one time run, and the race will be contested to the 330’ mark.

Contact US 13 Dragway for any questions about the Summer Kick-Off Jr. Dragster Nationals. You can visit their Facebook page or contact 302-846-3968.

For more Jr. Dragster racing news and results from DragChamp, click here.