Most average fourth graders reach an average max speed of 10 mph, that’s how fast their Huffy can take them to their buddy’s house to play the latest video game.
Parker Dotson not only doubles that, he reaches a speed of 68 mph. Dotson is a 9-year old junior drag racer. Junior league is for kids ages 8 -17 and uses a five-horsepower, single-cylinder engine.
You could say racing is in Dotson’s blood considering his dad, granddad and uncles all have taken to the need for speed. Dotson’s first time at a drag strip was when he was 3 months old. His mother, Amber, brought him, taking him all over to strips in North and South Carolina.
Before jumping in the seat himself, Dotson always hung out, helping his dad work on his car and learning how to “cut a good light.” He said two things his dad always tells him before he races is to concentrate and “make sure Mama’s not in front of me.”
Dotson’s first race was in 2010 at the Greer Dragway in South Carolina, where he made it through to the semi-finals. His father, Travis, made track champion at the same strip last year.
On Sept. 24, 2011 Dotson won first place at Greer and on Oct. 22, 2011 got runner up positioning in the finals.
Racing season starts this Saturday, March 3, for Dotson at Greer Dragway. After the race you can find the Dotson family hanging out at Pete’s Diner in Greer, where they’ve been going after every race for 15 years. You could say it’s a family affair.