Siblings Share the Spotlight in PDRA Junior Dragster|

People often say elevate racing is in the blood. Perhaps it'south also in the genes. Racing – and winning – would appear to be a office of the Tanner family genetic makeup. Siblings Preston and Alexis 'Lexi' Tanner have been bringing home Junior Dragster trophies since they began competing in the ranks. And while no one was surprised to see them in the hunt for the Pro and Meridian Junior Dragster PDRA Championships this season, no ane expected them to pull off the feat they did.

Preston secured his Huddleston Performance Pro Junior Dragster Championship at Dragstock XII, putting enough

Lexi Tanner

altitude between himself and swain competitor Tia Tutterow to ensure that she would not grab him with just one race to go. Lexi took over the points pb of Huddleston Performance Top Inferior Dragster by winning Dragstock XII, but was less than two rounds ahead of Mia Schultz, not enough breathing room to celebrate a Championship yet.

Heading into the PDRA Finals, Preston told his parents to focus on Lexi. With his title in the pocketbook, he wanted his little sister to have the all-time possible chance at winning her championship every bit well. The strategy seemed to be working as Lexi started going rounds. "Everything just fell into place," Preston remembered. "Nosotros came into the weekend really focusing on my sis since I had already sewn upwards my title and hers was nevertheless on the line. Simply then I started going rounds, also."

Incredibly, both Preston and Lexi won their classes at the PDRA Finals, solidly staking claims to the Pro and Meridian Inferior Dragster World Championships. "For both of u.s.a. to win the event and the World Championships was unbelievable," Lexi expressed. "It was similar the coolest thing ever."

"It was a life changing experience," agreed Preston.

As if further commemoration was needed, Lexi turned xiii during the Finals. A better birthday present could non have been purchased for any amount of coin. Beingness crowned World Champion at just 13 and fifteen years of historic period, the future is brilliant for the Tanner siblings, who know the advantage of hard work and dedication. Besides devoting time and free energy to racing, they must also proceed up their grades in school in order to be allowed to race. They'll demand those good grades to pursue their careers also. Preston plans on becoming an orthodontist, Lexi an attorney. As if schoolhouse work and racing weren't enough, Preston and Lexi both compete in cantankerous land and swimming with their schools. "We're a lot ameliorate at racing," Lexi admits with a grin.

Although the Tanners aren't immune to sibling rivalry, they ready that aside for racing.

"The goal is to always race every bit teammates, equally a family," Preston told. "When we're on the way to the race track we don't really talk to each other, but one time we get to the race track, we bond and so that we can have a positive outcome. When one of us goes up the line, you just hope they vanquish the other person because it's almost like you're up there. This experience definitely brought us closer together."

"I want to thank my mom, my dad and my brother for being supportive, driving me to the races, and working on my machine," said Lexi. "Also Nick Woods Racing and Hoosier Tires for providing great equipment, the PDRA Series for letting juniors run at the events, and the Traction Twins for giving us such a great track."

Preston echoed her gratitude, thanking his sis and also listing LAT Oil.

The duo has enjoyed the accolades they've received from being amongst the first, and mayhap the simply, siblings to e'er win Inferior Dragster World Championships in the same year, but have already ready their sights on the 2022 season. Both volition be debuting new Halfscale dragsters and Lexi hints that her dragster will accept a new wrap, this time with a "twist" on the familiar 'Lightening Lexi' scheme. Preston turned sixteen this Jan and will have three seasons remaining in PJD before he switches gears to Top Dragster.

Look for Preston to defend his Championship and Lexi to begin her run in Pro Junior Dragster starting with the PDRA Series Opener at Tulsa Raceway Park, March 11-12