Kingsport’s Olinger credits racing Junior Dragster at Bristol

12-year old racer takes second Fan Nationals win in as many years When it was time to separate the men from the boys during the POWERADE Fan Nationals this past weekend at Bristol Dragway, Austin Olinger defied the odds as he rose to the top by besting competitors more than twice his age. Olinger, a 12-year-old native of Kingsport, collected a record second Fan Nationals win in as many years. He believes racing in the Sunoco Bracket Series at Bristol Dragway the last several years played a prominent role in the victory. “Racing a Junior Dragster for five years really helped my chances to win for a second straight year,” Olinger said. “Competing at Bristol Dragway made things easier because there is as much pressure racing in a junior (dragster) as there is in the simulator.” Olinger, who currently sits 16th in the Junior Dragster Division 2 standings, is looking forward to his trip to Pomona, Ca., in November as the first repeat winner of the Fan Nationals. “The Fan Nationals is a really fun deal and it’s great to be able to win,” Olinger said. “I’m excited about going to Pomona and representing Bristol because it’s all in my hands to win the championship for everyone back home.” While Olinger would like to follow in the footsteps of former junior dragster pilots like Erica Enders and Richie Stevens, who currently compete in the NHRA Pro Stock class, racing at Thunder Valley in the Bracket Series is perfectly fine for now. “I’m real pumped up to go run in Bristol on Saturday,” Olinger said. “After winning the Fan Nationals, I feel pretty good about my chances to win again this weekend.” Racing action in all six bracket classes get under way this weekend on Saturday, May 6 with gates opening at 10:30 a.m. Time trials are set for noon. Saturday is the second of five Quick 16 events on the schedule. The remaining Quick 16 dates are set for June 10, July 8 and Sept. 9.