06/03/2026
🎬🏁 THE NORTH CENTRAL SERIES BIG CASH SUMMER BASH – SATURDAY RECAP 🏁🎬
What happens when racers from Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky all converge on Wabash Valley Dragway for one weekend?
You get an action-packed showdown that nobody will soon forget.
The North Central Series Big Cash Summer Bash delivered everything we could have asked for and more. From sunrise to fireworks, the property was filled with some of the toughest young racers in the Midwest, all chasing Wallys, big checks, bragging rights, and memories that will last a lifetime.
🏆 BIG CASH RACE
The competition was divided into three age groups: 6-9, 10-12, and 13 & Up. Every round felt like a championship fight.
In the 6-9 age group, Indiana’s own Kynlee Darr put together a dominant performance, taking down a talented field and earning the coveted NHRA 75th Anniversary Wally!
In the 10-12 age group, Gavin Naegele made the trip from Ohio and battled through one of the toughest groups of racers all weekend long. Gavin not only captured the 10-12 Wally but continued his incredible run all the way to the Big Cash Finals, where he earned the Runner-Up position and took home a sizable piece of the purse!
Then came the largest and toughest field of the weekend.
The 13 & Up racers put on a show from start to finish, but when the dust settled it was Wisconsin’s Hailey Antonioni standing tall. After making more winning laps than anyone else in the biggest field of the event, Hailey claimed the 13 & Up Wally and loaded the $2,000 Big Cash check into the trailer for the trip back to the Dairyland!
💰 GAMBLERS RACE
As if one race wasn’t enough, the racers lined back up for another shot at glory and some extra cash.
Nearly every racer entered the Gamblers Race, creating yet another stacked field. When the final round arrived, it was once again Gavin Naegele proving he wasn’t done winning. After already collecting a Wally and a Runner-Up finish, Gavin parked his Junior Dragster in the Winner Circle one more time and headed back to Ohio with even more cash!
🚀 JR OUTLAW
The fastest and baddest machines on the property saved one of the most exciting moments of the weekend for last.
The final showdown featured Mia Rybarski of Streamwood, Illinois and Nash Rashford of California, Kentucky.
The tree dropped.
Green lights all the way around.
Mia gained the early advantage with a lightning-quick .0437 reaction time to Nash’s .0781.
At sixty feet, Mia held a razor-thin lead with a blistering 1.388-second short time while Nash chased closely behind with a 1.403.
The two cars thundered side-by-side down the track, neither driver giving an inch.
At the finish line, it was Mia crossing first with an incredible 4.276-second pass over Nash’s 4.325.
Congratulations to Mia Rybarski on one of the most impressive JR Outlaw performances Wabash Valley Dragway has ever witnessed!
🏁 BIG CAR SHOOTOUT
Experience versus youth.
Veterans versus rookies.
Current Junior standout Wyatt Scales made his Big Car debut at Wabash Valley Dragway and absolutely stole the show.
Round after round, Wyatt continued to knock off competitors until he finally parked his Chevy Vega in the Winner Circle, announcing to everyone that the next generation is already here.
🏍️ PIT VEHICLE RACE
By the time the Pit Vehicle Race rolled around, these racers had already spent over twelve hours battling one another.
Yet somehow they still had more left in the tank.
The final showdown came down to two racers who had been on fire all day long: Gavin Naegele and Wyatt Scales.
One last race.
One last chance at victory.
When the finish line came into view, it was Wyatt Scales taking the win aboard his Honda Navi and collecting the $1,000 payday!
👀 BUT THE WEEKEND ISN’T OVER YET…
While Saturday delivered incredible racing, Wallys, big checks, and unforgettable moments, there was still one more chapter left to write.
Sunday’s Team Race and Second Chance Race brought another full day of excitement as racers battled for team bragging rights and one final opportunity to end the weekend in the Winner Circle.
And perhaps the biggest question of all…
🎮 WHO IS TAKING HOME THE PLAYSTATION 5?
Throughout the entire weekend, racers earned points toward our Weekend MVP competition. Every round win mattered. Every light counted. Every victory brought them one step closer to claiming the PS5.
The answer will be revealed in tomorrow’s recap when we break down all the action from Sunday’s Team Race, Second Chance Race, and crown our Big Cash Summer Bash Weekend MVP!
🎆 THE PERFECT ENDING
As the final rounds wrapped up and fireworks lit up the night sky, smiles could be seen all across the property.
The racing was incredible.
The sportsmanship was outstanding.
The memories were unforgettable.
To every racer, parent, grandparent, sponsor, volunteer, official, and staff member who helped make this event possible—THANK YOU.
Weekends like this remind us why we do what we do.
The future of our sport is alive, thriving, and brighter than ever.
And if Saturday was any indication…
the next generation is ready. 💙🏁
