Sarah Stewart 2025 Junior Lightning Champion
Last Updated on February 27, 2026 by WWTR
By Jeremy Rosenstengel
Photos by Keke Lipford
The 2025 race season at World Wide Technology Raceway marked the end of an era of sorts. One of the premier Jr. Dragster racing families in the St. Louis area has officially aged out of the junior ranks through their youngest daughter, Sarah Stewart. For a family that has been part of the Junior Dragster scene for over 15 years, this is a big change.
For the Stewart family, drag racing isn’t just a hobby—it’s in their blood. It started with Sarah’s grandfather, Don Stewart, racing his Ford Falcon. That same Falcon is now piloted by Sarah’s brother, Sam, in the Pro Class. And Sam is also a multi-time track champion. Sarah’s father, Mike, is an accomplished racer himself, but he has put his own racing on hold for nearly 15 years to help his kids dominate the junior scene. And Mom? Angela is the ultimate crew chief: always in the lanes with Sarah, starting the car, dialing it in, and keeping her focused. Meanwhile, Sam and Mike are tuning the Falcon for Pro Class. This family truly eats, sleeps, and breathes drag racing.
Sarah’s results speak for themselves:
- 4-Time World Wide Technology Raceway Track Champion
(2025, 2024, 2020, 2019) - 68 Final Round Appearances & 40 Event Wins
- 2024 NHRA North Central Division JDRL ET Bracket Finals Runner-Up
- 2024 Beech Bend Raceway Park JDRL Challenge Wally Winner
- 2023 WWT Raceway Junior Lightning 2nd Place Points Champion
- 2022 Midwest Junior Drag Racing Super Series 7.90 Index Class Winner
- 2021 NHRA JDRL Eastern & Western Conference Finals Semi-Finalist
- 2018 Gateway Motorsports Park Junior Dragster Driver of the Year
…and many more accomplishments.
Sarah is not only a champion on the track but also a humble honor student and an all-around great kid. Reflecting on her final junior championship, she shared,
“The last 10-plus years of junior drag racing would not have been possible without an incredible group of people. Mom and Dad—thank you for your endless support, encouragement, and love. You’re the best crew chiefs around, and I’m beyond blessed for all the hard work you’ve poured into this sport.
A huge thank you to Sam, Leah, my grandparents, Steve Livengood, Dan Helmsing, the Wiggins family, the Albietz family, the Beimfohr family, WWT Raceway staff, my friends, and everyone who has been my cheerleader and made my drag racing career unforgettable. I am forever grateful and will always cherish the memories we’ve created together.”
So, what’s next for Sarah Stewart? Just like her brother, the junior dragster has been sold to make room for a new door car—a 1963 Ford Fairlane. High School and Sportsman Class racers, take note: this four-time champion is coming for you. Who would bet against her?
During the banquet, Elaine & Chris Larsen along with Josette Roach videotaped an announcement to congratulate Sarah on her back-to-back Jr. Lightning Championships, but more importantly to announce she has been chosen to be the next Developmental Driver for Larsen Motorsports.
On behalf of World Wide Technology Raceway, congratulations Sarah Stewart on your back to back Junior Lightning Championships and on being the next female Developmental Driver for Larsen Motorsports.
