Spectators at the July 5-6 Mike Bos Racing.com Junior Dragster Nationals at Bristol Dragway will see many youngsters making final preparations for the following week's NHRA O'Reilly Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals.
Among the racers will be the brother/sister team of Jonathan and Ariel Hill from Roan Mountain. To say racing is in their blood is an understatement.
"Mom actually was racing a street-legal car when she was pregnant with me," said Jonathan, an eighth-grader in his fourth year of competition. "Mom's brother raced, my other uncle raced and I always remember coming and playing with Hot Wheels on the back of the trailer. I've always been into it."
Much like her older brother, racing is all Ariel has ever known.
"I'm not really sure when I first came to the track," she said. "It's all I ever remember."
During a recent career day at Cloudland Elementary, fifth-grader Ariel displayed her dragster, along with her brother's, for her classmates to see. She answered questions for all of the students and explained why she likes to race.
"It is fun to talk to other kids about what I do," she explained. "When a lot of the little kids came out and saw the cars, they would say ‘Whoa!' They thought it was cool I brought it and they liked it a lot. They talked about how it was the best thing there. It was cool that my friends thought that."
Jonathan agrees that having his friends' support is exciting and motivates him to do his best.
"My friends like coming with me," he said. "They text me to see how I'm doing, and ask if I won. It is good to know they care. Some of my friends even come to the races."
"I've won at least once every year that I've been racing. I'm just proud of myself and my family for helping put this together so we can go race and enjoy winning."
The thrill of victory isn't lost on his younger sister, either. During her debut season in 2007, Ariel won an event at Bristol Dragway.
"I was really excited," she admitted. "When I passed the finish line and saw the win light in my lane, I started screaming in my car. I was really excited to tell everyone. All my friends were proud of me."
Both racers will compete in the Mike Bos Jr. Dragster Nationals and the Eastern Conference Finals. Ariel and Jonathan feel that they have a slight advantage over their competition because of the "home field" advantage.
"It gives you an advantage because you are at Bristol," said Jonathan. "You're comfortable with the track. It's fun knowing our friends will be here, too."
"I have a new motor this year, and I expect to run consistent and to be on top of my game and win."
When the subject of a match race between the two was mentioned, Ariel quickly responded.
"I've beat him before and I think I can do it again," she said.
Jonathan replied with a smile, saying, "She's too overconfident. But as long as one of us does good, that is all that matters."
With over one week of Jr. Dragster action at Bristol Dragway, Ariel and Jonathan will have plenty of time to make sure their cars are performing well.
Gates open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday with time trials beginning at 9:00 a.m. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday and time trials kick off at 10:30 a.m.
For more information about the Mike Bos Racing.com Jr. Dragster Nationals or the O'Reilly Auto Parts Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.