In 2021, second-generation rider Chris Garner-Jones gained the Skilled Drag Racers Affiliation (PDRA) Drag 965 Professional Nitrous Motorbike world championship in reminiscence of his late father and fellow rider, T.T. Jones. After a crushing runner-up end in 2022, Garner-Jones charged to 2 wins in 4 final-round appearances through the 2023 season to say his second PDRA world championship.
“This one is a bit more particular,” stated Garner-Jones. “The primary one was undoubtedly particular, however this one is extra particular as a result of I need to dedicate it to my brother [William]. He works his ass off evening in, evening out on this bike. I’m not there to work on it. He does all of the work, tunes it, the whole lot. It’s actually for these guys – my spouse, all my brothers, my mother, and naturally, my dad up in heaven. It’s very particular.”
Garner-Jones began the season with a first-round exit, however bounced again with a No. 1 qualifier award and the occasion win on the second race on tour, the Mid-Atlantic Showdown introduced by Traditional Graphix at Virginia Motorsports Park. He was runner-up to rookie phenom Brayden Davis on the third race for the bike class, then added one other low qualifier award and win on the Crimson Line Oil Carolina Nationals at Darlington Dragway. Kuwait’s Meshal Al-Saber took out Garner-Jones within the last spherical on the penultimate race of the season. He clinched the title on the Professional Line Racing Brian Olson Memorial World Finals introduced by ProCharger at VMP.
All through the season, Garner-Jones battled with Al-Saber, who completed second within the factors standings, in addition to Davis, the 17-year-old son of multi-time world champion Travis Davis.
“You’ve bought to be on it each go,” Garner-Jones stated. “Brayden is as hungry as all of us. Meshal is a veteran within the recreation so he is aware of the ins and outs of racing. All these guys are powerful. The category is getting so much harder. Guys are stepping up and going so much quicker than what they usually do. All of us are working shut.”
Gary Rowe photograph
There’s an opportunity Garner-Jones gained’t return to defend his title, although it’s for purpose. The household has an NHRA Professional Inventory Motorbike entry within the works. William has been working with Professional Inventory Motorbike groups between races on the PDRA schedule, and he’ll tune the brothers’ bike whereas Chris rides.
“I’d love to come back again right here [to PDRA] and race,” stated Garner-Jones, who thanked his household, Jerry Meddock of Crimson Line Motorsports Media, and the PDRA. “I like racing with the automobiles. I like racing nitrous bikes. However I need to do NHRA Professional Inventory Motorbike.”
The PDRA will acknowledge Garner-Jones and the opposite 2023 world champions through the annual PDRA Championship Awards Banquet on Friday, Dec. 8 in Indianapolis.
