DRIVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The JCM Racing Driver Development program was created to offer young racers the opportunity to hone in and perfect their driving and sponsor relation skills as they work towards a career of competing in the NHRA’s professional ranks. While JCM Racing developmental drivers receive funding to help offset their operational costs, Joe Maynard believes that the true value of the program lies within the access the developmental drivers have to the JCM Racing team and its resources.
While the developmental driver roster is set for 2023, the program will open up to new candidates at a date to be announced later in the year. Starting with the 2024 class, new inductees into the program will be limited to Jr. Drag Racing League competitors, and the program will support up to one Jr. driver per division. Additional information regarding how to apply for the 2024 JCM Racing Driver Development program will be announced via the team’s social channels, so interested candidates should be sure to follow @JCMNitro on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Potential applicants should refrain from contacting JCM Racing about the program until further instructions have been provided.
MEET OUR DRIVERS
WYATT WAGNER
Wyatt is a third generation racer, following in the footsteps of his dad and grandpa. He began his racing career in his junior dragster in 2010, and at age 16, he started his NHRA sportsman career racing his dad’s Super Stock Camaro. He is now competing for his third Division 5 Super Stock championship title.
> Category/Class: Super Stock
> Hometown: Bonner Springs, KS
> Birthdate: October 8, 2001
> Vehicle Make/Model: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
> Career wins/runner-up finishes: 8/11 NHRA wins
> First Start: 2010, Junior Dragsters - Topeka | 2018 Super Stock - Topeka
Career Highlights:
> 2x NHRA Division 5 Super Stock Champion
> 2x Jegs Allstar, 2021 NHRA Topeka National Event Winner
> 5x NHRA Divisional Event Winner
> Youngest to win NHRA Division Championship at 16
> 2022 Finished #4 in the World
KAYLEIGH HILL
Kayleigh’s mom and dad started bringing her to Bandimere Speedway in 2005 to watch them race when she was five years old. In 2012, she decided to forgo a family vacation to Disney and use the money to share a junior dragster with her sister. Having now raced three years in Stock Eliminator in her 1988 Ford Mustang, she is making her Super Comp debut in 2023 on the Division 5 circuit in her 2004 Undercover dragster.
> Category/Class: Super Comp
> Hometown: Thornton, CO
> Birthdate: September 7, 2001
> Vehicle Make/Model: 2004 Undercover Dragster
> Career wins/runner-up finishes: 4/6 finals
> First Start: 2012 Junior Dragsters - Bandimere Speedway, 2019 Stock Eliminator - Bandimere Speedway
Career Highlights:
> 2017 Division 5 Champion
> 2018 Division 5 runner-up
> 2018 World Series of Pro Mod Winner
> 2021 finished 4th in points in Stock Eliminator at Bandimere Speedway
> 2022 finished 3rd in points in Stock Eliminator at Bandimere Speedway
WAYLON BENNETT
Waylon spent quite a bit of time as a baby and toddler at the drag strip watching his grandfather, “Oppa” race his truck. His first time down the track was in a Lightening McQueen Powerwheels when he was 3 1/2 years old. Waylon is now on the hunt for his second Division 2 championship, making the switch from his 11.90 Huddleston Pee Shooter motor to a much quicker 8.90 Huddleston Sniper.
> Category/Class: Junior Dragster
> Hometown: Peachtree City, Georgia
> Birthdate: February 26, 2013
> Vehicle Make/Model: Mike Bos Reverse Wing
> Career wins/runner-up finishes: 5x Wally Winner, 2 Championships and 13 wins, 21 Runner-up
> First Start: 2010-5 Yrs. Old, Junior Dragster- Reynolds, Georgia
Career Highlights:
> Won his first Junior Dragster race
> 2020 3rd place in the Lucas Oil Series and the National Open for Division 2
> 2021 Runner-up in the Lucas Oil Series and the National Open for Division 2
> 2022 Lucas Oil Champion for Division 2 with a 3rd place finish for the National Open
> 2022 crowned the Mike Bos Fun Run Champion in Bristol for the 6-12 year-olds during the Eastern Conference Finals in Bristol, Tennessee
