Whitney Houston once sang about how she believed the children are the future. These days, Justin Lamb, a five-time NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion, carries the same tune. 

Lamb is competing at the NHRA Nevada Nationals with his Stock and Super Stock entries. 
 
"Racing is very seldom 'all good' or 'all bad.' We've had some challenges this year, but we've also had some great rewards," said Lamb, who also claimed a pair of Super Stock semifinal finishes at the double-divisional in Phoenix this season. 

Lamb plans to finish out the season in both Stock and Super Stock with appearances at the Las Vegas national and divisional events, followed closely by the NHRA Finals in Pomona.
 
"One of the coolest things for me this year has been watching Jayce begin to develop as a Jr. drag racer. It took him a little while to warm up to it, but once he did, it was like that spark ignited," said Lamb. "In September, when he won the Race of Champions at the Division 7 Jr. ET Finals, I don't think I've ever seen him smile that big. He was so excited. When you see something like that, it takes you back to the beginning, and you remember why you started this and what made you stick with it all these years."

For Lamb, he's been the conduit between generations as he was schooled in the art of drag racing by his father, Chris Lamb. The elder Lamb was not a drag racer himself but instead a longtime Matco Tools distributor who had a keen interest in it. When his children were of age, he and his wife Carole got them involved in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League.
 
"Because my dad was a Matco Tools distributor, it made sense for us to be involved with racing," Lamb explained. His sister, Ryen, also raced in both the Jr. league and as a Lucas Oil series competitor. Her competitive spirit translated to a career as an attorney in Tennessee, where she now resides.
 
"We got to meet all kinds of awesome people in the drag racing community through our dad's association with Matco, and I'm not going to lie, it made an impression. It was just a great way to grow up, and I know my sister and I are both grateful for the experience. To stand in the winner's circle with guys like Gary Scelzi and meet racers like Antron Brown and Mark Pawuk is something other kids weren't getting the chance to do."
 
Lamb, who scored his ninth Las Vegas Motor Speedway win this past spring, heads to The Strip tied for second on the national event win list – including both Pro and Sportsman racers. The tie for ninth is behind only Dan Fletcher, who has 11.
 
"To do that as a Sportsman racer is really an honor," said Lamb. "There are so many great racers out here, and it's only getting tougher. Would I like to tie Fletcher? Absolutely. It's a tall order, but those challenges are what make drag racing the best sport in the world – and one you want to pass down for generations."

Kelly Wade contributed to this article