Jace “El Jefe” Santiago

Well, after four 7.90 races and being on the struggle bus trying to figure this car out, I was finally able to put this AAA Forklifts Parts and Service and Slick Kids Apparel hot rod back in the winners circle today at OSW. Man it’s been challenging but we think we have this thing figured out.

Well, definitely not the weekend I was hoping for. It’s been a tough couple of race days, and this one at Gainesville for their points race wasn’t any easier. We went out in R2 both days.

I knew moving into the 7.90 class wasn’t going to be a cake walk, and on top of that we’ve been battling some car gremlins, which makes it even tougher. But we knew coming into this that we’d have to start from zero—and that’s exactly what we’re doing. No excuses, because everyone goes through it.

Anyone who knows me and my dad knows how much we love this sport, and we’re going to keep working our butts off until we get it right.

I have full confidence in my team. We’ll get this figured out ASAP. For now, it’s back to testing and getting this car ironed out.

None of this would be possible without the companies that support us:
AAA Forklifts Parts and Service
Slick Kids Apparel

On to the next one. 💪

Hey guys, remember the exciting news I was going to announce?

AAA Forklifts has officially come on board as our primary sponsor for the 2026 season. I truly want to thank Kurtis, Shawn, and the entire amazing team at AAA Forklifts for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to go out and race at different tracks this year.

This is a huge step for me, and I’m beyond grateful for the support. Be sure to go check them out for any forklift and heavy equipment needs—and when you call, let them know I sent you 😉

We’re just getting started—let’s make it an unforgettable season!

God Bless you all, always 🙏

Let me reintroduce myself — my name is Jace, the driver behind El Jefe.

I’m 13 years old and recently made the move into the 7.90 class. This weekend, we’re headed to Gainesville to see just how far El Jefe and I can go.

We’ve got some big news coming soon, and trust me… you’re going to want to hear it.

Stay tuned, friends 👀🔥

God bless you all, always 🙏✨

Good morning everyone we will be Orlando Speed World this weekend for the points race. This will be our very first race after the change over to 7.90 and can’t wait to get behind the wheel. We believe we have a very consistent hot rod and car a that can go rounds. Now I just have to be on my A game. We ended the season last year on a good note and hopefully I can pick up where we left off. I know it won’t be easy but I will make the necessary adjustments to make it happen.

My parents Sally Santiago-Gonzalez & Alberto Santiago took me to Race at Gulfport Dragway Christmas on the Coast, and what a weekend it was 🎄🏁

We started Friday going 6 rounds before my car laid down and didn’t run what we thought it would. Still managed to win some money, so we finished the day on a good note.

Saturday was the team race, and well… it didn’t go how we wanted 😕 We tried. Team Grinch Gang went out first round, but that’s racing.

Sunday for the $20K, I won first round 😝 went strong into second, and then parked my hot rod in the trailer for the night 🤣

Monday was our last day. It started with rain, and I’m so glad my parents decided to stay—because it was my day to go rounds. I won my 10–12 class. Out of 221 kids, I made it all the way to the finals—the final two! I brought home 2nd place, and I couldn’t be more proud of my team and my car for getting me there.

Thank you to my sponsors
Pedro Collazo My Lil Wheels
Marilu Gonzalez & Jose Gonzalez
Joe Santiago & Marilyn Vargas

A little recap of this past weekend where we headed down to immokalee regional raceway for the winter nationals.

Saturday - went out on the 4th rd made down to 6 cars out of 30 something

Sunday - went out on the semis can’t complain didn’t secure the win but i was able make some 💵

Now back home to get right to work on the car and have it ready and dialed in to go out next week to Gulfport MS for Christmas on the coast.

Excited to be able to go into war with some of the best drivers in the states and to be able to do it with some of my good friends is even better.

Gulfport get ready the ( Florida S***Heads) are coming 🤣🤣🤣

What a weekend at the birds I came in to Bradenton Motorsports on Thursday ready to race but we started the weekend off having car issues. On Thursday I limped my way in to the 3rd rd where we hurt our motor. We swapped over to our spare and went back out on Friday we went out 2nd rd because we where running blind but that’s part of racing. We had sometime to regroup and I came out swinging on Saturday made to the finals but unfortunately lost. On Sunday we had another final rd appearance and well it did not go my way. Came home with 2 runner ups.

I want to congratulate my sister on the other hand this is only her second time out and she went all out. Grabbing her first victory on Friday and then making it to the finals on Saturday to finish with a runner up and making it to the semis on Sunday bringing home 3rd place in novice.

It was a heck of weekend and we couldn’t be any happier. Brung home some money and plenty of hardware. Thank you mom and dad for sacrifice you guys make.