The start of June brought double the celebration for the Right Trailers & LB Trailers Elite 18 Motorsports Team as two standout junior racers—Journey Morell and Luke Hutchinson—each kicked off the month with back-to-back wins over the weekend. With double Wally trophies in hand and momentum from already impressive seasons, these young athletes are showing what it means to lead with both talent and integrity on and off the track.
Journey Morell: Racing with Heart, Powered by Purpose
Twelve-year-old Journey Morell continues to make her mark in junior drag racing—not just with her eye-catching, electric-powered dragster wrapped in paw prints and ombré blue, but with her undeniable spirit and strong values.
Already a track champion at Firebird Raceway in Idaho, Journey has stacked up multiple wins this year, including a dominant sweep this past Saturday and Sunday. As a proud member of the 2025 Right Trailers Elite 18 Team, she’s proving to be a role model for her peers.
Her love for racing began in the stands, watching her dad run passes in his Camaro. Now, they’re a team, learning the nuances of her custom electric dragster together. “Journey has such a natural feel for it,” her dad shared. “She’s picking it up fast—and the win lights keep coming.”
But Journey’s impact goes far beyond performance. Over the years, NHRA officials and track staff have personally complimented her parents on her exceptional sportsmanship. After each round, she gets out of her car to find her competitor, offering a handshake or fist bump—win or lose—and always sharing a kind word. “As parents, it means the world to us,” her mom said. “She does this before we even get to her with the golf cart. She leads with character, and that’s what matters most.”
That same kindness shines at school, where Journey was honored this year with the Loving Path Award. Her 6th-grade homeroom teacher, Ydalia Yado, shared:
“Whether she’s advocating for rescued animals or chasing win lights, Journey is showing that racing with heart leaves the biggest impression.”
Luke Hutchinson: The Calm Competitor with Championship Focus
At just 10 years old, Luke Hutchinson is no stranger to the winner’s circle. A longtime standout in the junior dragster community, Luke first started turning heads competing in the 6–9-year-old class. Since then, his list of accomplishments—and Wally trophies—has only grown.
Representing the LB Trailers Elite 18 Team, Luke has continued his strong performance in 2025 with back-to-back wins this past weekend, adding to the several victories he’s already earned this season. Sponsored by LB Trailers, a division of Right Trailers, Luke is a key figure in the company’s growing investment in next-generation motorsports talent.
With a calm, focused demeanor in the lanes and a sharp eye on the tree, Luke brings a level of consistency that’s rare for his age. Whether it’s perfecting his passes or helping a fellow racer in the pits, he shows maturity well beyond his years.
He’s also a strong student and team player, proving that success in racing is built just as much on discipline and character as it is on horsepower. As his racing career progresses, Luke continues to make his way to the winner’s circle with the quiet confidence of a champion.
The Road Ahead: Leading by Example
The Right Trailers & LB Trailers Elite 18 Motorsports Team is about more than winning—it’s about developing racers who represent the values of sportsmanship, leadership, and determination. Journey Morell and Luke Hutchinson are perfect examples of what this team stands for. With school wrapping up and summer races ahead, both drivers are entering the next chapter of their seasons with momentum—and maturity—that’s impossible to ignore. Their back-to-back wins this past weekend are only part of the story. It’s their dedication, kindness, and respect for the sport that make them champions in every sense of the word.
Looking ahead, all eyes turn to the two biggest stages in junior drag racing: the 2025 NHRA Right Trailers Western Conference Finals, taking place June 13–14 at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, and the 2025 NHRA Right Trailers Eastern Conference Finals, scheduled for July 17–20 at Bristol Dragway in Tennessee.
As the proud title sponsor of both events, Right Trailers helps spotlight the nation’s top youth racers from across Divisions 1 through 7. Each event awards Wallys and prize money to winners in eight age categories—from 6 to 17 years old—and celebrates both individual and team excellence. For Journey, Luke, and the rest of the Elite 18 team, these finals are more than just a competition—they’re an opportunity to lead with character on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
This story was originally published on June 9, 2025. 
