It takes only three minutes of chatting with Junior Dragster racer C.J. Jenkins to realize the future of the sport will be just fine. 

Jenkins, 14, from Jamesville, NC, on the eastern side of the state, is a talented driver with roughly 30 race wins to his credit. However, it's not his driving talents that will catch your eye.

The way this teenage drag racer conducts himself will leave a lasting impression. He's a member of his school golf team and works in the family's business because he understands "it's what pays the bills."

Jenkins is also a member of his school's student body government. Even though he ran for student body president and lost, the class found a place in the cabinet for him. 

"Drag racing is totally fun," Jenkins said. "It's a lot more than just playing a stick and ball sport. Drag racing is a hands-on sport and a lot more family-involved than team sports."

Drag Racing is also an educator; just ask Jenkins. 

"You learn quickly not to let others influence what you do," Jenkins admitted. "You have to learn how to face negativity and just shrug it off. That's a tough lesson I am still trying to master."

Jenkins said accepting the things he has no control over is another ongoing lesson. It's a lesson ingrained in him for as long as he can remember from his parents, Corris and Tameka. 

"I think that's something I will need to be reminded of all my life," Jenkins said. "I think in this instance, I will always find it best to focus on those situations I do have control over."

Jenkins doesn't hesitate when stating his goals.

"I want to race Top Fuel," Jenkins said.. 

How does he plan to get there?

"I plan to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering," Jenkins responded. 

It's the hands-on aspect of engineering which excites Jenkins the most. 

"I enjoy working with tools and machinery," Jenkins explained. "I've always enjoyed the challenge of aerodynamics in this field. I have grown up on my family's [poultry] farm. I have to operate tractors and everything, so that's where it started."

Jenkins was at zMax Dragway this weekend past, with his Executor dragster on display. He found time to slip away and meet the event's Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier Justin Ashley and, within the first five minutes, found himself sitting in the past Rookie of the Year's Phillips Connect dragster. 

"The first thing you see with CJ is the kid's maturity," Ashley said. "We know the kid is a good drag racer, but what you see is how he carries himself off of the drag strip. It was clear to me just a few minutes into the conversation that this kid gets it. He's very impressive at a young age. 

"He definitely reminded me of myself at his age. I believe he's certainly a lot further along. He's raced for a while and clearly understands the depths of being a race car driver. It's one thing the way you carry yourself on the track, and it's another to carry yourself off of the track. He gets it. He's pretty fast at understanding that concept, more so than I was at that age." 

Jenkins does get it and does so in a refreshing sense of appreciation.

"Yeah, but none of this would be possible without my parents, family, and sponsors," Jenkins added. "They're the ones who deserve the credit, not me."