Modern Racing
Modern Racing Named Presenting Sponsor of PDRA DragWars
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – Modern Racing, a one-stop-shop for motorsports electronics, wiring and fabrication services, has been named the 
presenting sponsor of the penultimate race on the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) 2020 No Warning Labels Tour. PDRA DragWars presented by Modern Racing will take place Oct. 8-10 at GALOT Motorsports Park in Benson, N.C.
“Modern Racing has been a fixture in the PDRA pits since the beginning,” said Will Smith, marketing director, PDRA. “From tuning cars for our competitors to providing on-site technical support through their trailer on the midway, Modern Racing is a big part of the PDRA family. We’re proud to have them on board as the presenting sponsor of our fifth of six races.”
Originally formed as a solo venture by Elkes in 2006, Modern Racing is now a full-service motorsports electronics, wiring and fabrication shop located in Mooresville, N.C. Modern Racing stocks a variety of products from industry-leading manufacturers and has a staff of talented fabricators and wiring and electronics experts able to provide service at Modern’s multi-bay facility in Mooresville.
Mitch Jackson Provides Strong Foundation for Modern Racing’s Wiring Services
MOORESVILLE, NC — When NHRA Pro Stock made the switch to electronic fuel injection (EFI) in 2016, 
championship-winning tuner and consultant Justin Elkes saw an opportunity to bring his EFI expertise to the forefront while simultaneously growing Modern Racing, his wiring and electronics business.
Modern Racing began providing custom Holley EFI wiring harnesses to many Pro Stock teams, which was a catalyst for growing the business into the multi-faceted organization it is today. The harnesses were wired primarily by Mitch Jackson, who would eventually come on board with Modern Racing full-time and form the foundation of the business’s wiring shop.
Jackson has an extensive background in wiring and electronics paired with a lifelong passion for anything automotive.
Modern Racing Named Presenting Sponsor of PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – Modern Racing, a one-stop-shop for motorsports electronics, wiring and fabrication 
services, has been named the presenting sponsor of the second race on the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) 2019 tour. The PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Modern Racing will take over Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie, Va., May 2-4.
“We’re elated to have Modern Racing, one of our biggest midway vendors, sign on as the presenting sponsor of the Mid-Atlantic Showdown,” said Will Smith, marketing director, PDRA. “Modern Racing and founder Justin Elkes have been a part of the PDRA community since our early days, and we’re honored to have them continue their involvement in this expanded role.”
“Having Justin Elkes and Modern Racing come on board for the Mid-Atlantic Showdown in 2019 is huge for the PDRA and the host track of Virginia Motorsports Park,” added Tyler Crossnoe, race director, PDRA. “Modern Racing had a strong presence in our series in 2018 and we look forward to helping them promote their brand and company to the masses through this new event presenting partnership for the second of eight races on the PDRA Road to the Finals.”
Modern Racing Bolsters Fabrication Capabilities with Addition of Rodney Crabtree
MOORESVILLE, NC — Modern Racing, the rapidly-growing racing wiring, electronics and fabrication shop formed 
by championship-winning tuner Justin Elkes, has increased the capacity of its fabrication wing with the addition of Rodney Crabtree to the team.
Crabtree, an experienced chassis builder based in Mooresville, NC, most recently owned and operated C2 Race Cars, where he provided chassis repair and updates for customers in the area. Crabtree’s versatile skillset extends beyond fabrication, as he worked in NASCAR for over eleven years, most recently with Richard Petty Motorsports, and also served as the clutch man on Rodger Brogdon’s NHRA Pro Stock entry during Brogdon’s most recent stint in the sport.
“Rodney and I have been talking about this move for a while, and I’m excited that we were able to make it happen,” Elkes said. “As our business continues to grow, it’s important to me to be able to deliver top-quality work to every customer, and adding Rodney to our chassis shop led by Todd Bevis allows us to achieve that. We’re also looking forward to welcoming Rodney’s customers to Modern Racing.”
In addition to the opportunity to work alongside Bevis, Crabtree also welcomed the opportunity to spend more time in the shop doing what he loves.
Modern Racing Continues Rapid Expansion Heading into 2019
MOORESVILLE, NC — After a very successful year in 2018, Modern Racing, the venture formed by championship-
winning tuner and motorsports electronics expert Justin Elkes, continues to expand its footprint in the drag racing industry heading into 2019.
Headlining the expanding footprint is a strategic alliance between Modern Racing and the powerhouse team of Elite Motorsports. During last week’s Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show in Indianapolis, Elite Motorsports announced that it will campaign three Pro Mod cars driven by two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, rising star Alex Laughlin and Aeromotive Fuel Systems founder Steve Matusek for the full 2019 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season. Elite Motorsports and Richard Freeman have retained the services of Modern Racing to facilitate the operation, aid in tuning and handle the construction and assembly of the three turbocharged entries, which include two 5th-generation Camaros piloted by Enders and Laughlin, and one 2013 Mustang driven by Matusek.
Modern Racing Guides Danny Sauro to First Pro Nitrous Win, ET Record at PDRA Fall Nationals
MOORESVILLE, NC — Modern Racing, the venture formed by championship-winning tuner and motorsports 
electronics expert Justin Elkes, guided Danny Sauro to his career-first Pro Nitrous win in stunning fashion during the PDRA Fall Nationals at Darlington Dragway on October 6.
Sauro qualified the Tischer Auto Group ’69 Camaro in the #2 position with a 3.686 at 203.71 MPH, both career bests at the time and the best qualifying effort of his career, then marched through eliminations before defeating defending Pro Nitrous world champion Tommy Franklin in the final round while resetting the national elapsed time record at 3.652 seconds.
The entire Sauro Racing operation is housed, maintained, prepared, and tuned by Modern Racing in Mooresville, NC, with Elkes serving as crew chief at the track. The team has made incredible strides over the course of the past two seasons. Sauro only acquired his Pro Modified license in 2017, when he moved up from the Super Gas ranks.
Renowned Chassis Builder Todd Bevis Joins Modern Racing
MOORESVILLE, NC — Modern Racing, the new venture formed by championship-winning tuner and motorsports 
electronics expert Justin Elkes, continues to expand its capabilities with the addition of prominent chassis builder Todd Bevis to the team.
Bevis, a native of Tyler, TX, who now resides in Mooresville, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience gained during more than 35 years in the racing industry. After a successful stint at Jerry Haas Race Cars, Bevis eventually teamed with Victor Cagnazzi at Cagnazzi Racing, where he built and tuned winning NHRA Pro Stock chassis for the likes of Erica Enders-Stevens, Dave Connolly, and Jeg Coughlin, Jr.
“I met Todd when I was working as the crew chief at Gray Motorsports,” Elkes explained. “Gray Motorsports and Cagnazzi Racing merged, and Todd was the head of Cagnazzi’s chassis shop. Right away we were a great fit, so I jumped at the opportunity to bring Todd in-house at Modern Racing to provide a full range of chassis and fabrication services.
Modern Racing Seeking Repeat Performances for McGaha and Castellana at Carolina Nationals
MOORESVILLE, NC — The last time the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series visited zMAX 
Dragway near Charlotte, NC, Modern Racing clients swept the uber-competitive doorslammer categories of Pro Stock and Pro Modified. The series returns to Modern Racing’s hometown facility for this weekend’s NHRA Carolina Nationals, presenting another opportunity for Pro Stock standout Chris McGaha and Pro Modified championship frontrunner Mike Castellana to score critical victories.
After slotting into the tenth and final position for the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, McGaha is looking for a strong start to the playoffs in his Harlow Sammons Chevrolet Camaro. Meanwhile, Castellana aims to maintain the level of performance that has carried his Frank Manzo-tuned Al-Anabi Performance Camaro to the top of the J&A Service Pro Modified championship points standings. With just three races remaining in the Pro Mod season, a strong performance could put the championship out of reach for Castellana’s challengers.
Modern Racing Making an Impact at U.S. Nationals
MOORESVILLE, NC — Just a few weeks after launching Modern Racing, a new venture designed to provide a 
multitude of products and services for the motorsports industry, Justin Elkes is excited to make an impact at “the world’s biggest drag race,” the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
Elkes will continue his tuning duties for 2016 U.S. Nationals Pro Stock champion Chris McGaha and his Harlow Sammons Camaro, as well as continuing to work with Frank Manzo on Mike Castellana’s supercharged Al-Anabi Performance Pro Mod Camaro. Deric Kramer has raced a partial schedule in 2017 with his American Ethanol Pro Stock Dart, and he’ll call on Elkes once again for tuning consultation at Indy.
Veteran Motorsports Tuning Consultant Justin Elkes Launches Modern Racing
MOORESVILLE, NC — Justin Elkes has always been ahead of the curve. From his early work at Wilson Manifolds 
developing cutting edge components to becoming the youngest crew chief in the NHRA Pro Stock pits, Elkes remains at the forefront when it comes to the development and application of new motorsports technology.
To better serve a growing client base across all forms of motorsports, Elkes has launched Modern Racing. Located in Mooresville, NC, known as “Race City USA,” Modern Racing was created with the mission to be the best source for purchasing high-quality electronics and data acquisition components made by Racepak, MoTeC, and more. By also offering tuning, consulting, data acquisition analysis, wiring, fabrication, machining, and complete racing operation housing and management, Modern Racing is a one-stop-shop.
