LaBelle’s Beaner earns drag racing Rookie of the Year honors
Young drag racer Victoria Beaner – from LaBelle – continues to excel on tracks across the country, capping this season by being named the 2023 Sportsman Rookie of the Year for all classes in the Professional Drag Racing Association (PDRA).
The 12-year-old earned the prestigious honor in the Junior Dragster category by winning one championship at the PDRA Northern Nationals, reaching the final round of races at the PDRA North-South Shootout and PDRA Carolina Nationals and finishing second for the overall championship. She also notched several top qualifying efforts, hitting speeds of more than 85 mph.
Although she has been racing only five years, she continues to pile up the experience with over 1,200 passes down various U.S. drag ways.
And 2024 is building to be her most challenging – and rewarding – year yet. Not only will she continue her career in the Junior Dragster category, but she is also venturing into car racing, testing a Legends Car, including one she calls “Renegade,” as well as racing Late Model cars on oval tracks throughout the Southeast.