NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

When Rylie Trumble got behind the wheel of a Jr. Dragster and began his racing career, he had one simple goal: “When I first started, all I wanted to do was win a race.”

Fast-forward seven years and hundreds of passes down the dragstrip, and Trumble has multiple wins and championships under his belt, including three NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals titles. Those three Western Conference Finals wins put Trumble in very exclusive company, joining Cade Poe as the only NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League drivers with more than two Conference Finals/National Championships victories. It’s an accomplishment of which Trumble is very proud, but at age 15, with a few more years of Jr. Dragster racing left, he has his eyes set on more.

“It makes you feel good,” Trumble said, “but I’m not done yet. I’ve still got a few Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals.”

Trumble is a third-generation drag racer, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and older brother Hayden. Dad Mike is a nine-time national event winner with victories in Comp, Super Stock, and Stock. Hayden made his “big car” debut last year and caught the eye of many when he won Super Stock trophies at the Dallas national event and the Tulsa, Okla., NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. His strong first-year showing put Hayden on NHRA National Dragster’s list of Sportsman racers to watch this year and beyond.

The younger Trumble is certainly one to watch as well, both in the Jr. Dragster ranks and when he joins his father and brother in the “big cars” in the future. In addition to his three Western Conference Finals championships, Trumble has a Division 4 championship, multiple victories at local events, and track championships at Houston Raceway Park in Quick 16 and 8.90 Index. He also has a 10-12 age-group championship in IHRA competition. And it all began because Trumble wanted to be a racer like the rest of his family.

“I liked racing since day one, and I wanted to be just like my dad,” said Trumble. “I started racing when I was 8 years old. I got my first Jr. for my eighth birthday, and I started because my brother had a Jr.”  Trumble turned 8 in September 2013, and less than three years later, he won the first of his Western Conference Finals titles, outlasting the field in the 10-year-old bracket in 2016. 

After that win, Trumble said winning a Wally at the event meant, “That I worked hard, and accomplished what I came to the races for. The Western Conference Finals was a lot of fun, and I got to meet some very cool people.” 

Two years later, Trumble added his second Western Conference Finals Wally to his mantle, defeating Jonathan McClain in the 12-year-old final round. 

“It feels amazing to have two from Western Conference Finals,” said Trumble after the 2018 victory. “[I have] three others, so I have five now.” 

Trumble’s third Western Conference Finals win came last year in a repeat of the 2018 final round. Trumble again bested McClain to earn his third event Wally, this one in the 14-year-old age group.  Trumble still has a few years of Jr. Dragster racing to go, but like his brother, he too plans to move up to the “big cars” when his Jr. Dragster career is done. 

“My next step is big-money bracket racing, Stock, and Super Stock and race to win,” said Trumble. 

Winning comes up a lot in conversations with Trumble, but beyond winning, the camaraderie at the track is also something he really enjoys. 

“I like winning and hanging out with friends,” he said when asked what he likes best about drag racing. 

Outside of racing, Trumble enjoys going to the lake and fishing. Those activities and racing all center around family, and Trumble is very aware his success has a lot to do with the support her receives, particularly from his dad. 

“I want to thank my dad for everything he does for us to race,” said Trumble.