PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown Gives Musi Racing Opportunity for More Success at Virginia Motorsports Park
DINWIDDIE, VA — With a strong outing under their belts at the season-opening Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) race last month, Musi Racing is ready to capitalize at Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP).
Lizzy Musi showcased plenty of early-season potential to kick off the 2019 Pro Nitrous season at GALOT Motorsports Park, and now the focus shifts to finishing the job in Frank Brandao’s 2018 Dodge Dart at this weekend’s Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Modern Racing.
Musi has enjoyed plenty of success at the track, and will look to crack the win column for a fourth time at VMP this weekend.
“This is a track where we always run well and where Lizzy won her first Pro Nitrous race (in 2014),” Pat Musi said. “The weather is turning hotter, so we’ll get away from swinging for the fences and trying to set records, and get into race mode. But this car is more consistent than it’s ever been and that will help us in this weather.”
Lizzy Musi piloted her Edelbrock and Lucas Oil-backed machine to a blistering 3.675 at 206.86 mph to qualify third at the PDRA opener, also posting the fastest run in qualifying. She stepped up to an impressive 3.643 at 207.21 to win the first round of eliminations, momentarily setting the Pro Nitrous record. That was later eclipsed, but it gives Musi plenty of momentum heading to VMP, where she won in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
A red-light in the second round at GALOT prevented any chance for a season-opening win, but Pat Musi believes the team is ready to bounce back in emphatic fashion.
“We had the quickest car in eliminations at the last race, but we just slipped up,” Pat Musi said. “But I’m confident in Lizzy and I believe we’ll see everything come together over the next few races.”
The time between PDRA races also allowed Musi to fine-tune what he hopes to be a winning combination. He’s tuned NHRA Pro Mod driver Chad Green to a number of strong outings, including a pair of top-5 qualifying positions at the most recent two races. Musi believes that will pay off in Virginia, especially as he works with PDRA’s exquisitely prepped track at VMP, which is regarded as one of the finest racing surfaces in the country.
“I’ve learned a lot from tuning Chad Green at NHRA events,” Musi said. “The prep at PDRA races is better than NHRA prep, so navigating the NHRA prep has helped me when it comes to the consistency of Lizzy’s car.”
The PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Modern Racing kicks off with testing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday. Friday Night Fire with back-to-back pro qualifying sessions begins at 6 p.m. and eliminations are slated to start at 4 p.m. Saturday. The final rounds for pro classes are scheduled for 9 p.m.
