Drag Illustrated
Peter Norton Claims DI Winter Series Pro Mod Championship, Rookie of The Year Honors
BRADENTON, FL – Tractor puller turned Pro Mod contender Peter Norton secured the 2025/2026 Winter Series presented by J&A Service 
points championship Saturday night at the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil when he defeated Randy Weatherford in a winner-take-all semifinal matchup at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Piloting his Harts-Charger-equipped, Hurricane Motorsports ’69 Camaro, Norton used a .011 reaction time and 3.608-second pass to outrun Weatherford, who got loose and slowed to a 4.877.
Norton was picked up at the top end after the victory and given a police escort back up the track, where he was presented with the crystal trophy awarded to the points champion. Norton also received a $25,000 championship bonus.
“It’s surreal,” Norton said of the experience. “You look down here, you look at all these fans. I mean, you come through here burning the tires off and people standing around you. It’s the stuff you watch on TV. It’s the stuff you dream about as any motorsport you want to do.” Continue reading
Aaron Stanfield Enters Pro Mod History Books as 2026 World Series of Pro Mod Champion
BRADENTON, FL – NHRA Pro Stock star and multi-time Factory Stock Showdown world champion Aaron Stanfield added another 
significant accomplishment to his résumé Saturday night when he won the $150,000-to-win Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM) presented by Red Line Oil at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The final round was decided by just .003 seconds as Stanfield drove around newly crowned 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service champion Peter Norton in a side-by-side race.
“All these racers are great racers – they are some of the baddest racers our sport has to offer,” said Stanfield, who made his Pro Mod debut in December. “It’s been cool to mix it up with them, and it’s unbelievable we’re gonna park it in the winner’s circle.”
Reigning WSOPM event champion Steve King didn’t qualify for this year’s 32-car field, but he won the Outlaw Light Beer Wild Card Shootout for non-qualifiers. WSOPM victories also went to Fletcher Cox in Pro 10.5, Russell Stone in True 10.5, Chris Scarlata in Lil Gangstas, Mitch Kalitta in Super Pro, Mark Horton in 6.50 Index, Dean Thompson in 7.50 Index, Rashad Jones in 4.60 Bikes, and Cameron Rich in Jr. Dragster. Continue reading
Eric Gustafson Secures $10,000 Low Qualifier Bonus at World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service championship contender Eric Gustafson added 32 points to his 
tally Friday night when he locked down the No. 1 qualifier position at the Winter Series finale, the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil. In the first of three Friday qualifying sessions at Bradenton Motorsports Park, Gustafson threw down a 3.553-second pass at 211.16 mph to lead the second-quickest 32-car field in eighth-mile Pro Mod history.
Gustafson went into the World Series of Pro Mod ranked third in Winter Series points standings after consistent late round finishes at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals and the U.S. Street Nationals in his ProCharged Coast Packing Company “Lard Machine” ’69 Camaro. Gustafson’s combination was dealt a weight penalty after the last race, but tuner and teammate Jason Lee and the team went to work and picked up where they left off by qualifying No. 1.
Gustafson earned a $10,000 Low Qualifier Bonus from Jerry Bickel Race Cars, and he ended up drawing a No. 16 chip in the random chip drawing. That means he’ll be in the final pair of the opening round of eliminations on Saturday morning. He’ll face Travis “The Carolina Kid” Harvey. Continue reading
Derek Menholt Charges to Provisional No. 1 Spot at World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Montana native Derek Menholt’s success in the 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service 
continued Thursday night when he raced to the provisional No. 1 spot in Pro Mod at the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil. Behind the wheel of his Harts Charger-boosted ’19 Corvette, Menholt recorded a 3.568-second pass at 211.66 mph down the Bradenton Motorsports Park eighth mile to lead a list of 64 drivers attempting to break into the 32-car field.
Thursday’s on-track action also included two qualifying sessions in Pro 10.5, as well as a shakedown session for True 10.5 and Lil Gangstas. Jerry Morgano is the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Pro 10.5 with a 3.829 at 203.98.
Menholt, who was the runner-up at the most recent Winter Series race, the U.S. Street Nationals, tested extensively at Bradenton between races with his Scott Tidwell Racing teammates. Those efforts paid off when he came out strong in the first qualifying session at WSOPM, as Menholt posted a 3.579 at 207.46 to qualify No. 2. In the final pair of the second session, he improved to a 3.568 at 211.66 to take the No. 1 spot. Continue reading
World Series of Pro Mod Set to Crown Seventh Winner, Winter Series Champions in High-Stakes Bradenton Finale
BRADENTON, FL – On Saturday night, the seventh winner of the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil will be 
crowned as the 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service wraps up at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The Pro Mod winner will walk away with $150,000 and a spot on the cover of the Drag Illustrated WSOPM Issue. The WSOPM weekend will also feature side-by-side action in True 10.5, Pro 10.5, Lil Gangstas, and a handful of supporting categories.
As the DI Winter Series finale, WSOPM is also where series champions will be crowned in Pro Mod, Pro 10.5, and the Strange Engineering Lil Gangstas Championship Series presented by Melling Performance following the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks in December and the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission in January.
“All roads lead to Bradenton Motorsports Park,” said Victor Alvarez, BMP track owner. “The baddest boys and girls in the world are getting ready for war this week. The last two Winter Series races have raised the bar for the quickest 32-car Pro Mod fields in history, and I’m confident that mark will be reset again this weekend. We’ve had teams testing here ever since the U.S. Street Nationals to prepare for WSOPM. We’ve heard from fans who are coming in from outside the U.S. to be a part of this event. It’s going to be another can’t-miss show at BMP.” Continue reading
Atomizer Racing Injectors Joins World Series of Pro Mod as Associate Sponsor
BRADENTON, FL – Atomizer Fuel Components, producers of high-performance racing injectors, will serve as an associate sponsor of the 
upcoming Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil, race officials announced today. With more than 70 drivers competing for the $150,000 winner-take-all prize, the World Series of Pro Mod is the ultimate proving ground for eighth-mile Pro Modified racers, including those relying on Atomizer Racing Injectors. Taking place Feb. 26-28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park, it’s the final race of the three-race 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service.
“Jack French and the team at Atomizer Racing Injectors represent exactly the kind of forward-thinking, racer-driven companies we want aligned with the World Series of Pro Mod,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and WSOPM promoter. “They’re helping power the baddest door cars on the planet, making an impact in classes like Pro Mod and Pro 10.5, so having them involved with this event just makes sense. We’re excited to welcome Atomizer as an associate sponsor and believe this is the beginning of a partnership that can grow in a big way.” Continue reading
$25,000, Inaugural Championship On The Line For Pro 10.5 at WSOPM
BRADENTON, FL – Pro 10.5 racers will have more on the line than ever when the class returns to the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro 
Mod presented by Red Line Oil, Feb. 26–28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park, where a lucrative $25,000 winner’s purse headlines the Pro 10.5 Challenge. In addition to racing for one of the richest payouts in class history, competitors will also decide the inaugural DI Winter Series presented by J&A Service Pro 10.5 champion, with the champion earning a $5,000 bonus and a massive custom baseball bat from Victus Sports as a one-of-a-kind trophy.
“This is a big moment for Pro 10.5,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and Winter Series promoter. “We’ve watched the class bring incredible energy and car counts to the World Series of Pro Mod the last two years, so bringing them into the full three-race Winter Series for the 2025/2026 season felt like the natural next step. Rewarding the drivers who’ve supported the series by adding a championship element takes it to the next level. Big thanks to Tom Kasper, Kasper Performance Edge, and everyone at Victus Sports for helping to make it all possible.”
Ohio’s Bill Lutz raced to the $10,000 Pro 10.5 victory at the Winter Series opener, the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks, when he defeated Super Bowl champion Fletcher Cox in the final round. Outlaw 10.5 veterans Jerry Morgano and Nick Agostino faced off in the Pro 10.5 final round at the second race, the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission, with Morgano edging out Agostino for the $10,000 prize. Continue reading
ProCharger Joins World Series of Pro Mod as Associate Sponsor
BRADENTON, FL – ProCharger, manufacturers of high-performance centrifugal superchargers, will serve as an associate sponsor of the 
upcoming Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil, race officials announced today. With more than 70 drivers competing for the $150,000 winner-take-all prize, the World Series of Pro Mod is the ultimate proving ground for eighth-mile Pro Modified racers, including those relying on ProCharger superchargers for power. Set to take place Feb 26-28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park, it’s the final race of the three-race 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service.
“The folks at ProCharger are no strangers to the Winter Series and the World Series of Pro Mod, but having them jump on board as an associate sponsor is special,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and Winter Series promoter. “The Winter Series is many things for many people, but it’s evolved into a platform where the industry’s engine builders, chassis builders, power adders, and other manufacturers can battle it out and put their products to the test. Our drivers and teams are showing what these products can do in the most competitive eighth-mile Pro Mod fields of all time. We’re thrilled that ProCharger sees the value in that and wanted to be a bigger part of the World Series of Pro Mod.” Continue reading
Red Line Oil Named Presenting Sponsor of World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Red Line Oil, producers of high-performance motor oil and lubricants, has been named the presenting sponsor of the 
Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, race officials announced today. Set for Feb. 26-28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park, the $150,000-to-win Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Red Line Oil serves as the grand finale for the 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service following the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals and the U.S. Street Nationals.
“Red Line Oil has proven time and time again that they’re deeply invested in Pro Modified racing, and we’re excited to elevate that partnership with Red Line stepping in as the presenting sponsor of the World Series of Pro Mod,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and series promoter. “We’re intentional about aligning with partners who share our vision for where this series and the sport are headed, and Red Line absolutely fits that mold. Their commitment goes far beyond branding. They support racers at every level, and their products are trusted by the top engine builders and teams in drag racing worldwide.” Continue reading
$25,000 Wild Card Shootout Added to World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Drag Illustrated has announced the addition of the $25,000 Winter Series Wild Card Shootout to the Drag Illustrated 
World Series of Pro Mod, further expanding race-day opportunities and reinforcing the Winter Series’ commitment to delivering the most competitive and inclusive Pro Modified program in drag racing.
The new Wild Card Shootout will feature qualifiers 33 through 64, paying $15,000 to win and contested over five full rounds of eliminations on race day at Bradenton Motorsports Park. In addition to the winner’s payout, the Wild Card Shootout will pay $5,000 to the runner-up and $2,500 to the semifinalists, offering $25,000 in total payouts.
The program replaces the Chicago-style shootout format previously utilized at WSOPM and represents a significant evolution in how Drag Illustrated approaches race-day competition. Continue reading
