CHARLOTTE, N.C. – They're older, they're bolder and this week they're back on track. Riding a wave of popularity born of their successful competitive debut in 2022, the "mini-me" stars of the Baby Walker Nationals return this week to the Camping World drag racing tour where they will confront new challenges in a companion event to the 13th Circle K NHRA 4Wide Nationals at ZMax Dragway.
The Toddler Tricycle Nationals, which will be contested before the final round of nitro qualifying on Saturday, places the offspring of elite pro drivers astride upgraded vehicles for a highly-anticipated sequel featuring five-across racing for the first time in drag racing history. That's right. Count 'em, 1-2-3-4-5. Five two-year-olds racing in a relatively straight line to a finish line approximately 50 feet away.
It's Tykes on Trikes, a special event created and produced by Natalie Torrence of Innovative Creation Experts and sponsored by Mark Beatty and the folks at Red Line Synthetic Motor Oil.
The combatants are familiar ones.
On the red trike will be Haven Charli Torrence of Kilgore, Texas, last year’s ZMax winner and the daughter of Natalie and four-time Top Fuel World Champion Steve. She trains on mac-and-cheese and plots strategy on her Cra-z-Art Magna Doodle magnetic drawing board.
Racing on the blue Trike, from Maidens, Va., will be Olivia Gladstone, daughter of Joey Gladstone, runner-up for the 2022 Pro Stock Motorcycle championship, and his wife Nicole. She likes her cheese without mac and spends her free time playing in her own custom sand box.
Not unexpectedly, racing in JEG'S yellow will be Aubrey Coughlin of Ostrander, Ohio, daughter of Troy Coughlin Jr., the Pro Stock winner at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals in Florida, and his wife Brenna. Aubrey loves Cheez-Its, her baby shark toy and pool time.
In the green livery, from Ocala, Fla., will be Helen Hart, daughter of 2023 Pep Boys All-Star Call Out winner Josh Hart and his wife Brittanie. Although she'll race on return road asphalt at ZMax, Helen’s fondness for playing in dirt may indicate a racing career outside the dragstrip. Like Olivia, she also swears by the natural cheese diet.
Finally, racing in good guy white will be James Alexander, the son of Funny Car driver Blake Alexander and his wife Leah who, as a Charlotte resident, may have the home field advantage. James stays lean-and-mean by snacking on berries and, when he’s not watching "Daniel Tiger" on TV, keeps fit with walks in the park.
Another round of the Toddler Tricycle Nationals will take place June 24 during the 16th Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio, with the finale scheduled during the 38th annual Texas Fall Nationals at Dallas, Oct. 13-15.
"Last year's event was a big hit not only with the fans but with everyone at Red Line Oil", said Beatty, Brand Director for the racing oil used by Steve Torrence and other prominent professionals. "Red Line Oil is all about family and we are thrilled to see the next generation of racers being raised at the track. What we do is so much more than a job; it's a passion and it's the families with whom we are involved that make it so rewarding."