At the age of 7, Jonathan McClain's father bought him his first Jr. Dragster. Their small town in Kansas had no nearby drag strips, so Jonathan mostly sat in it and pretended to speed down the track. In 2014 Jonathan's family moved to Louisiana, where there happened to be a track 20 minutes away from their home.

One year later, at the age of 9, Jonathan wasn't pretending anymore. At first he wasn't so sure about the real thing, but after his father bribed him with $50.00 to "just try it," Jonathan was hooked!

Jonathan's first year of racing was definitely a learning experience for Father and Son. He hadn't won any races that year, so far, but with lots of practice, patience and determination from both Jonathan and Dad, Jonathan was able to Runner-Up in the Division 4 ET finals in Texas. Imagine how excited this 9 year-old was to take home a check for $100.00. He was so excited for things to come!

The following winter, Jonathan's father surprised him with a brand new (to him) Jr. Dragster! Since Jonathan was going to be 10, he would be moving up to an older and faster racing class. He went from the 6-9 year-old, 11.90 class, to the 10-12 year-old, 8.90 class.

2016 brought just two wins for Jonathan. Jonathan was the 2016 Trophy Class winner for the Southwest Jr. Dragster Series in Gilliam, La. He went to the Winner's Circle once more in Gilliam that year.

2017 was a big year for Jonathan. He bought his first car, started middle school, and with the help of that school, Jonathan gained a lot of local attention!

In the summer of 2017, Jonathan took home his first (so far) Wally! Along with that Wally, he was given a check for $1,500.00! He was also awarded an embroidered Championship jacket and racing suit jacket. He would also be featured in the upcoming issue of Jr. Dragster Magazine.

In February of 2018, now 12 year-old Jonathan was invited to attend the South Central Division Good Guys Awards Ceremony and Banquet at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino in Shreveport, Louisiana. There, Jonathan was recognized for his National Championship in front of NHRA drivers of all ages. He was awarded a Gold Card in recognition of his outstanding high-points accomplishments during the NHRA season of championship racing.

Knowing that this is a unique sport and achievement for a kid his age in Bossier City, Jonathan's mother decided to email his middle school principal and tell him about Jonathan's great achievement. Since Jonathan is so humble, no one in his school knew what he does.

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Later that day, the school librarian had Jonathan's mother on the phone, pumping her for information. She did a write-up about Jonathan on the school's social media account and website. The school board quickly followed suit. This gained the attention of the local news, and days later Jonathan was the "Top Story" on KSLA News 12. A Couple of weeks later, Jonathan was invited to the Bossier Parish School Board meeting, where he was given the Medal of Excellence. It didn't end there though. A short time later, a news crew from FOX 33 News came to Jonathan's school to interview him for their "FOX 33 News Standout Student of the Week" segment. That same day, Jonathan did a radio interview on 90.7 FM for Tom Pace's "Talk of the Town, Kids on the Radio" show. Jonathan humbly enjoyed his sudden small town fame. 2017-2018 has marked the high point of Jonathan's Jr. Dragster Racing career so far.

After winning 1st place in Monroe, Louisiana, Jonathan had some hard losses in the 2018 season. He attended several big races, including: The Dream Team Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, The High 5 Energy Jr. Dragster Showdown in Ethridge, Tennessee, and the NHRA Jr. Dragster Eastern Conference Finals in Bristol, Tennessee. He didn't place in any of these events, but the season wasn't a complete wash.

Jonathan went back to the Western Conference Finals to try and win the 12 year old championship. While he didn't win 1st place, he didn't go home empty handed. Jonathan won runner-Up and took home $500. He not only won Runner-Up, he also took home a trophy for Best Reaction Time in his age group, and his team won Best Appearing Track.

2019 Jonathan went to the Eastern Conference Finals in Bristol, TN the biggest NHRA Junior Dragster event in the world for the 2nd time. Jonathan overcame an illness that lasted through two days of competition in the heat, and secured a 2nd place victory in the 13 yr old class!

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2020 was a good year for Jonathan despite the limited race schedule due to the pandemic. Jonathan had a runner up finish at the Lone Star Nationals at the Texas Motorplex for our first race of the year! Runner up finish at the ADRL Dragpalooza. Runner up finish at JDRL Western Conference Finals 14 yr. old class in Tulsa, OK. Jonathan took home his second wally by winning the Div. 4 Jr. ET Finals in the 14 yr. old class! With Jonathan's performance in the ADRL Drag Racing Series he qualified for the battle of the belts competition in St. Louis, although we struggled in that race he came home with a plaque commemorating his achievement. Jonathan has made it to the finals in every national event he has attended the last four years which is quite an accomplishment!

Jonathan loves the sport of drag racing very much. He works hard, stays humble, and gets

good grades. He started up his own lawn mowing business in his neighborhood, and he is in honors classes and on the honor roll. Drag racing has bonded Jonathan and his father closely. Jonathan bought a car with his dad the summer he won his national championship. He split the cost with him and they will work on it as a father/son project. The goal is to have it finished by the time Jonathan is 16. He and his father also attend National NHRA events, as spectators as often as they can. It is Jonathan's dream to one day, be on of the "pros" waving to his dad from his Top Fuel Dragster.