Quarter Midget Racing FAQ

Quarter midget racing is a family-oriented youth motorsport where children ages 5 to 16 drive small, open-wheel oval race cars approximately one-quarter the size of a full-sized midget race car. The sport has been around since before World War II and is one of the most popular entry points into motorsports for young drivers in the United States.

The cars are built around a tubular steel frame with full suspension, fiberglass bodies, and a chrome-moly roll cage surrounding the driver. They are powered by small, single-cylinder four-stroke engines manufactured by Honda and Briggs & Stratton. Racing takes place on small oval tracks, typically 1/20th of a mile long, on dirt, concrete, or asphalt surfaces.

The sport is sanctioned in the United States by two primary bodies: the NASCAR Youth Series (operated under the United States Auto Club) and Quarter Midgets of America (QMA). VAST Racing Products supplies parts, tires, and safety equipment to NASCAR Youth Series and QMA competitors nationwide.

Children can begin racing quarter midgets as young as 5 years old. Both the NASCAR Youth Series and QMA accept drivers from age 5 through 16, with age-appropriate classes at every level. Regardless of age, all new drivers must complete a Rookie training program before competing — a non-competitive class designed to make the driver comfortable with race procedures such as lining up with other cars, passing safely, and entering and exiting the track correctly.

Many NASCAR Youth Series clubs offer "Arrive & Drive" promotional days throughout the year — an opportunity for a child to drive a quarter midget on-track before the family commits to purchasing a car. This is the recommended first step. The upper age limit is typically 16, after which drivers graduate to karting, legends cars, or full-sized race cars.

After completing Rookie training, drivers can compete in 15 different classes based on age, weight, and engine combination. Many drivers participate in multiple classes at the same event. NASCAR Youth Series classes are organized by engine type:

• Rookie Red & Rookie Blue — beginner classes for all new drivers; Honda GX120 engine
• Jr Honda, Sr Honda & Heavy Honda — Honda GX120 engine; divided by driver age and weight
• Junior 160, Light 160 & Heavy 160 — Honda GX160 engine
• Junior Animal, Senior Animal & Unrestricted Animal — Briggs & Stratton Animal engine
• Light World Formula, Heavy World Formula & Mod World Formula — Briggs & Stratton World Formula engine

Your local club can advise on which classes best fit your driver's age and experience level to start.

The NASCAR Youth Series is the primary national sanctioning body for quarter midget racing in the United States. It is sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC) — the largest and most diverse sanctioning body in the world — and operates under the NASCAR brand. Previously known as USAC25, the series has been sanctioning tracks and holding events since 2008.

The NASCAR Youth Series currently sanctions over 60 clubs across the country, organized into 7 regional divisions. National championship events are held at iconic NASCAR venues including Daytona International Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, Watkins Glen International, and Darlington Raceway.

To find a club near you, use the club locator at nascaryouth.com/clubs. Your local club is your most important resource — they run Rookie training, provide setup advice, and welcome your family into the racing community.

Quarter Midgets of America (QMA) is a separate sanctioning body that also oversees quarter midget clubs and events. Some tracks are affiliated with QMA rather than the NASCAR Youth Series, or with both. More info at quartermidgets.org.

A complete beginner setup costs roughly $3,000–$8,000 for a used car or $8,000–$15,000+ for a new car with all required equipment. Estimated breakdown:

• Used car: $2,500–$5,000 (recommended starting point)
• Safety equipment (helmet, suit, harness, neck restraint, gloves): $500–$2,000
• Tools & spare parts: $200–$600
• Race tires (annual): $100–$400 depending on class
• Entry fees: $20–$50 per race day, plus annual NASCAR Youth Series membership

The NASCAR Youth Series recommends starting with a used car. New drivers will make contact while learning, and a used car reduces financial risk while still being fully competitive. Facebook groups including Quarter Midget Classifieds are the most common places to find used cars.

Quarter midget racing has launched the careers of some of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Notable alumni include Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Harrison Burton, Justin Allgaier, Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman, and Erik Jones in NASCAR, as well as IndyCar champions Ed Carpenter and Sarah Fisher. In 2025 alone, former quarter midget drivers secured championships in both the NASCAR Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The sport is widely recognized as the foundation of the NASCAR driver development pipeline.

Getting started with the NASCAR Youth Series requires three steps:

1. Club Membership — join your local NASCAR Youth Series-affiliated club directly. This is where Rookie training and local racing happens.
2. NASCAR Youth Series Membership — provides racing insurance and waivers. Complete this at nascaryouth.com. The primary handler and spouse are covered; additional pit handlers require a separate listing and fee.
3. SpeedWaiver — all individuals listed on the membership, including the driver, must complete the online SpeedWaiver. Works best on a smartphone.

Questions can be directed to the NASCAR Youth Series at nascaryouth@usacnation.com or (317) 247-5151.

NASCAR Youth Series quarter midgets must meet specific technical specifications. Key requirements include:

• Tubular steel (chrome-moly) chassis with full roll cage and nerf bars
• Fiberglass body panels in approved configurations
• Overall length ≤ 66 inches; body width ≤ 36 inches; minimum wheelbase 36 inches
• Minimum class weight (driver + car) varies by class
• Single-cylinder Honda or Briggs & Stratton engines, class-limited and sealed/inspected
• Hoosier brand spec tires in approved compounds per class
• Fuel: pump gasoline

Full specifications are in the official NASCAR Youth Series rulebook at nascaryouth.com/tech-documents. Always verify with the current rulebook before purchasing equipment.

NASCAR Youth Series quarter midgets use small, air-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engines. Each class group is defined by its engine type:

• Honda GX120 — Rookie Red, Rookie Blue, Jr Honda, Sr Honda, and Heavy Honda classes
• Honda GX160 — Junior 160, Light 160, and Heavy 160 classes
• Briggs & Stratton Animal — Junior Animal, Senior Animal, and Unrestricted Animal classes
• Briggs & Stratton World Formula — Light World Formula, Heavy World Formula, and Mod World Formula classes

Engines are sealed or technically inspected in most classes to ensure competitive parity and keep costs controlled.

The NASCAR Youth Series holds national championship events at some of the most iconic motorsports venues in America. Past and current events have been held at Daytona International Speedway (during the Daytona 500 weekend), Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, Watkins Glen International, Darlington Raceway, Pikes Peak International Raceway, and Disney World. The series also runs 7 regional championships. View the current schedule at nascaryouth.com/events.

The Petty Performance EDGE program is a driver development initiative within the NASCAR Youth Series. Connected to the legendary Petty racing family, the program selects top young quarter midget drivers for advanced coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities to help them progress toward professional motorsports careers. EDGE driver selections are announced annually and recognize both on-track performance and off-track character. Learn more at nascaryouth.com/pettyedge.

Several chassis builders manufacture NASCAR Youth Series-legal quarter midget cars. Recognized builders include Storm Chassis, Sherman Race Cars, Ultimate QM, Talon Race Cars, Bullrider Race Cars, Nervo Race Cars, Ashley Race Chassis, Bullet Chassis, and Tad Fiser Racing. VAST Racing Products is an official dealer for Ultimate QM components and parts. When choosing a chassis, ask your local club which brands are most common among members — having the same chassis makes setup advice and sourcing spare parts much easier.

The NASCAR Youth Series requires the following driver safety equipment. Safety is the series' top priority and policies are continuously reviewed and updated:

1. A Snell 2015 or newer SA-rated full-face helmet — the CMR2016 rating (found on some youth-marketed helmets including certain ZAMP models) is NOT legal for NASCAR Youth Series competition
2. A fire-resistant driving suit (SFI-rated)
3. A multi-point safety harness (5- or 6-point belt system)
4. A neck/head restraint system — youth-rated devices such as the Simpson Hybrid Sport are widely used
5. Arm restraints
6. Driving gloves

Always verify current requirements with the official NASCAR Youth Series rulebook at nascaryouth.com/tech-documents. VAST carries all required safety items in youth sizes.

The NASCAR Youth Series requires a Snell 2015 or newer SA-rated helmet. Key points:

• The CMR2016 rating (found on some youth-marketed helmets including certain ZAMP models) is NOT legal for NASCAR Youth Series competition
• Motorcycle, bicycle, and non-SA karting helmets are generally not permitted
• Helmet ratings expire — Snell SA certifications are typically valid for 5 years from the manufacture date (check the sticker inside)

To size correctly, measure your child's head circumference in centimeters just above the eyebrows. The helmet should fit snugly with no wobble. VAST stocks SA-rated youth racing helmets in multiple sizes.

A head and neck restraint (HNR) device is worn over the driver's suit and connects to the helmet, limiting forward head travel in a collision. This significantly reduces the risk of basilar skull fracture and serious neck injury. The NASCAR Youth Series requires a neck restraint system for competition. The Simpson Hybrid Sport is one of the most popular youth-rated HNR systems — SFI 38.1-rated and available in youth sizing. VAST stocks youth head and neck restraints that meet NASCAR Youth Series requirements.

Key chassis tuning parameters on oval tracks include:

• Crossweight / Bite — corner weight balance via ballast or weight jacks
• Ride Height — affects roll center and overall chassis balance
• Spring Rates — stiffer resists roll; softer increases compliance on rough or slippery surfaces
• Shock Valving — controls how fast the suspension compresses and rebounds
• Camber — wheel angle relative to vertical; affects tire contact patch
• Toe — toe-in for stability; toe-out for sharper turn-in
• Left Rear Hub — locked, ratchet, or idler (see below)
• Gear Ratio — tuned for the specific track length and class

Always make one change at a time and document results carefully. Your local club members are the best source of track-specific setup guidance, especially when you're new to the sport.

The left rear hub is one of the most impactful chassis tuning decisions in quarter midget oval racing:

• Locked (Standard) Hub — the left rear wheel is fixed to the axle at all times. Creates more traction on corner entry but can cause the car to push (understeer) through the center of the corner.
• Ratchet Hub — locks during acceleration, releases under braking or coasting (like a ratchet wrench). Helps the car rotate more freely mid-corner. Very common and versatile across track conditions.
• Idler Hub — the left rear wheel spins freely at all times, completely disconnected from the axle. Loosest, most rotational setup; typically best on tight, slippery, or low-grip tracks.

Read our detailed hub type guide on the VAST blog for a deeper breakdown with track application guidance.

Gear ratio in quarter midget racing is more involved than just the external sprockets — you must also factor in the engine's internal gearbox ratio:

• Honda engines (GX120 / GX160) — internal gearbox ratio of 6.14:1
• Briggs & Stratton Animal & World Formula — internal gearbox ratio of 6.07:1

The formula for final drive ratio is:

(Axle Gear Teeth ÷ Engine Sprocket Teeth) × Internal Gearbox Ratio = Final Ratio

• Honda with a 35-tooth engine sprocket and 35-tooth axle gear: (35 ÷ 35) × 6.14 = 6.14
• Honda with a 34-tooth engine sprocket and 27-tooth axle gear: (27 ÷ 34) × 6.14 = 4.88

A higher final ratio produces more acceleration off the corner; a lower ratio allows a higher top speed on longer straightaways. Axle gears typically range from 23 to 35 teeth and use #40 pitch chain. The optimal ratio depends on track length, class, tire circumference, and driver/car weight — a gear ratio calculator is the standard tool for dialing this in each race weekend.

Top spring brands in quarter midget racing include Eibach, Hyperco, and AFCO. Springs are rated in pounds per inch (lb/in). Softer springs allow more chassis flex — useful on rough or slippery surfaces. Stiffer springs provide crisper response on smooth, high-grip tracks. Front and rear spring rates are adjusted independently for balanced handling. VAST carries Eibach and Hyperco springs in multiple rates, ready to ship.

Hoosier is the official spec tire for both the NASCAR Youth Series and QMA quarter midget competition. Quarter midget tires are narrow, bias-ply racing slicks or lightly treaded tires depending on class and track surface. Common Hoosier sizes include 3.0/5.0-5 and 4.5/10.0-5 configurations. Tire compounds vary — softer provides more grip but wears faster; harder lasts longer. Some classes specify a particular compound code for competitive parity. VAST stocks Hoosier quarter midget tires and a full range of tire tools, ready to ship.

The axle gear (rear sprocket) mounts on the rear axle and engages the drive chain from the engine's front sprocket. Typical tooth counts range from 23 to 35 teeth — more teeth produce more acceleration off the corner; fewer teeth allow a higher top speed on longer straightaways. Most quarter midgets use #40 pitch chain. VAST manufactures its own VAST Quarter Midget Axle Gears in multiple tooth counts, machined to fit standard quarter midget axle hubs.

The most widely used communication system is the Raceceiver — a compact, one-way FM receiver worn by the driver in the helmet. It allows the track announcer, starter, or pit crew to broadcast instructions during a race. Racing Electronics is an official partner of the NASCAR Youth Series for radio communications. The Raceceiver Classic Fusion+ is a popular model that VAST keeps in stock. Two-way radios are generally not permitted in youth racing classes to maintain competitive fairness.

Oil choice in quarter midget racing is engine-specific. The most common viscosities are 0W-20 or 5W-20. For specific engine classes:

• Briggs & Stratton Animal engines — AMSOIL 4T synthetic racing oil is widely used and highly recommended in the Animal class community
• Honda GX120 / GX160 engines — AMSOIL Dominator 5W-20 is a popular choice, providing excellent protection at racing RPM
• Klotz Kart Synthetic Racing Oil and DRIVEN KRT Racing Oil are also used across classes and formulated for high-RPM, air-cooled four-stroke engines

VAST carries Klotz and DRIVEN products online. AMSOIL products must be ordered by phone — call us at 248-414-1835 (Mon–Fri, 9AM–4PM ET). Many experienced teams change oil every race day to maintain peak engine protection.

VAST carries trusted brands including: Hoosier (NASCAR Youth Series spec tires), Van-K (aluminum wheels), AFCO (shocks and springs), Eibach and Hyperco (springs), Simpson (helmets, fire suits, head & neck restraints), Raceceiver (radio receivers), MPI (steering wheels — official NASCAR Youth Series sponsor), RaceQuip (harnesses), Klotz, DRIVEN, and AMSOIL (engine oils — AMSOIL must be ordered by phone), Ultimate QM (chassis components — VAST is an official Ultimate QM dealer), and our own VAST Racing Products line of axle gears and custom parts. View the full brand list at vastqm.com/pages/shop-by-brand.

Yes — VAST ships parts, safety equipment, and accessories throughout the United States and Canada from our warehouse in Madison Heights, Michigan. High-demand items including Hoosier tires, wheels, axle gears, safety equipment, and electronics are kept in stock for fast fulfillment. Shipping options and rates are shown at checkout on vastqm.com. For urgent race-weekend needs, call us at 248-414-1835 (Mon–Fri, 9AM–4PM ET).

You can reach us by phone at 248-414-1835 (Monday–Friday, 9AM–4PM Eastern Time), by email at racing@vastrp.com, or through our online contact form. VAST Racing Products is located at 1551 E. Lincoln Ave., Suite 101, Madison Heights, MI 48071. We're a family-run operation deeply involved in NASCAR Youth Series racing — happy to help with parts compatibility, setup questions, or order status.