Drag Illustrated
Jerry Tucker Prepares to Roar Into Action at PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – Coming off of his rookie year in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category, Elite Motorsports drag racer Jerry Tucker is 
brimming with excitement at the prospect of starting the 2024 drag racing season out with a bang, courtesy of the inaugural SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Feb. 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
As Tucker eagerly prepares to get behind the wheel of his Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer / SCAG Power Equipment Camaro, the opportunity to get a head start on the season in this one-of-a-kind specialty race only adds to his enthusiasm.
With a year of experience under his belt, Tucker is ready to take his performance to new levels and witness the true capabilities of his Elite Motorsports Pro Stock machine. Winning the PRO Superstar Shootout would mark his first Pro Stock victory and a monumental achievement. The added bonus of rolling into the rest of the year with this victory is an idea that Tucker relishes.
Tony Schumacher Ready To Add Another ‘First’ To His List Of Accomplishments At PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – The inaugural SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage to be 
held Feb. 8-10 at Bradenton Motorsports Park will feature the best of the best, including eight-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher. The winningest driver in the class, Schumacher has seen and done it all, and he’s eager to try something new at this unconventional race.
“We run the NHRA circuit and we love our sport, but every now and then something pops up and gives us the opportunity to do something different,” said Schumacher, driver of the Leatherwood Distillery Top Fuel dragster. “I think it’s awesome. I hope for everyone involved that it works out and we get to do it more often.”
The event will prove to be more valuable than just the $250,000 in prize money as the teams will benefit from three days of testing leading up to qualifying.
Dallas Glenn Dishes on ‘Brutal’ Competition, Competing Against Pro Stock Legends at PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Systems/KB Titan Racing Chevrolet Camaro, is looking forward to going toe to 
toe with some of the best Pro Stock drivers at the inaugural SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage at Bradenton Motorsports Park from February 8-10.
With a substantial $125,000 prize for the Pro Stock category, Glenn is acutely aware of the significance of this event.
“I am excited about it. It’s a huge payout, and it will be absolutely brutal to even qualify for it,” confessed Glenn. “There are a lot of big names coming out of retirement for it, and it should be a lot of fun but fairly brutal as far as competition goes straight out of the gate.”
Leah Pruett Gears Up for PRO Superstar Shootout, Her Sole 2024 Season Appearance
BRADENTON, FL – Leah Pruett is especially looking forward to the inaugural SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented 
by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Feb. 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. This event marks a significant moment in Pruett’s storied career as she has announced her intention to step away from driving after the PRO Superstar Shootout to focus on starting a family.
Pruett expressed her excitement for the event that’s set to be a milestone for the sport. “I am honored to be a part of such an elevated inaugural event for the racers put on by the racers,” Pruett said.
She also noted what winning the PRO Superstar Shootout would mean for her Tony Stewart Racing Nitro team. “Really, the shot to line my guys’ wallets from a huge win is a strong driving force,” she continued, referring to the $250,000-to-win in the Top Fuel class.
Tim Wilkerson, One of Funny Car’s Great Showmen, Talks PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – Tim Wilkerson is trying not to think about the $250,000 prize that will come with a Funny Car win at the inaugural 
Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Feb. 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Putting on a show for the fans sitting in the stands and watching live on FloRacing is the priority for the veteran driver, tuner, and owner.
“I call [the prize money] a bonus because it’s not mine until the end of the day,” Wilkerson said. “I don’t ever count on stuff that I can’t count on. First, I believe we’re showmen. The money is great, but truthfully, it’s secondary. We’re trying to promote our sport and do a good job with the fans. [The event] is something that’s never been done, so I’m trying to look past the money.”
The PRO Superstar Shootout will begin with one qualifying session under the lights on Thursday, Feb. 8. Three more fast-paced rounds of qualifying will follow on Friday, Feb. 9. The eight qualified drivers in both Top Fuel and Funny Car and the 16 qualified drivers in Pro Stock will draw chips to determine the pairings for Saturday eliminations. The Top Fuel and Funny Car winners will walk away with $250,000 each, while the Pro Stock winner will take home $125,000.
Top Fuel’s Antron Brown Ready to Bring Heat, Hospitality to Inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – The inaugural Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage is 
quickly approaching, but Feb. 8-10 can’t come soon enough for Top Fuel star Antron Brown. He’s one of the dozen Top Fuel drivers who will be competing for $250,000 when the biggest names in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock converge on Bradenton Motorsports Park to start the 2024 season.
“It feels cool to be a part of something new with the Top Fuel cars,” Brown said. “I’ve been there several times for the World Series of Pro Mod and the Snowbird Nationals and the radial races and saw how all the people are excited at that style of racing. To go down there in that world and bring nitro to the party, and the Pro Stock cars – this is kind of like merging both sides of it. We’re all just one big drag racing family.”
Aside from the competitive aspect of the event, Brown is looking at what is possible from an entertainment perspective.
Ron Capps Weighs In On Collaborative Effort Behind PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – The inaugural Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage is more 
than just an opportunity to race for a game-changing $250,000 prize for three-time Funny Car world champion Ron Capps. Set for Feb. 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park, the PRO Superstar Shootout is also a unique way to collaborate with his fellow drivers and team owners on a first-time event intended to help take the sport of professional drag racing to the next level.
While competing for a fourth title at the end of the 2023 NHRA season, Capps also started working with the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) on the development of the PRO Superstar Shootout. As a nitro racing veteran and lifelong fan of all forms of motorsports, Capps has provided input on the event along with other drivers and owners in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock.
“It’s been so crazy to watch everybody jump in,” Capps said. “I’ve gotten to know people on the PRO board involved in this event that I really didn’t know that well beforehand. It’s been a lot of fun to watch Wes Buck and Drag Illustrated and Michelle [Domagala] and everybody from PRO and all these people behind the scenes. It’s been very impressive to watch everybody work so hard together when we all race each other on the racetrack.”
Matt Hagan Wants PRO Superstar Shootout ‘Feather’ to Add to His List of Achievements
BRADENTON, FL – If Matt Hagan, the newly crowned 2023 NHRA Funny Car world champion, has one thing on his mind, it’s to continue 
his winning ways at the Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage. The four-time Funny Car champion is one of the drivers set to compete in the inaugural event at Bradenton Motorsports Park from Feb. 8-10.
Hagan’s excitement about the PRO Superstar Shootout is evident. “The PRO race is something I am really excited about. There is a lot of buzz around it and a lot up for grabs,” he said.
With a $250,000 payout on the line for Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This event isn’t just about the prize money; it’s about pushing the boundaries of the sport.
One of the most talked-about aspects of the PRO Superstar Shootout is its unique qualifying and elimination format. Unlike traditional races, the pairings for eliminations will be determined by a random chip draw, adding an unpredictable twist to the competition. Hagan sees this as an exciting challenge.
Josh Hart Hoping For More Early Season Florida Success At PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – In 2021, Josh Hart won the Gatornationals in the first Top Fuel national event he entered at historic Gainesville 
Raceway. Last year in his first big-money Top Fuel race, the owner of Ocala’s Burnyzz Speed Shop took home the $80,000 top prize when we won the Pep Boys Allstar Callout race. The rising star of the NHRA is looking to go three for three in Florida-based big-money, big-time races when he takes on a stacked field of Top Fuel competitors at the inaugural Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, February 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
“We have had some really big wins in Florida at first-time races for our R+L Carriers team,” said Hart, who also has two NHRA national event Top Fuel wins to his credit. “Last year was our biggest win getting that Pep Boys Allstar Callout $80,000, and I want to get my hands on that $250,000 check at the PRO race. We have a really strong team led by Ron Douglas and our program was coming around at the end of the season last year, so we’ll be ready.”
For Hart, the start of the 2024 drag racing season could not come fast enough. Getting the jump on the Gatornationals at a new-style event also plays into Hart’s mindset and competitive nature. He has won at every level, including most recently Top Alcohol Dragster, before making the jump three years ago to Top Fuel. The self-described car nut is excited about introducing a new style of event to the drag racing world in March.
Inaugural Pro 10.5 Challenge Adds Small-Tire Element to World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – The Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod continues to grow and evolve, as race officials announced the creation of 
the inaugural Pro 10.5 Challenge, which will run in conjunction with the 2024 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, March 1-3, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Utilizing the established PDRA Pro Street rules format, the $25,000-to-win Pro 10.5 Challenge will be an invitation-only, 16-car shootout with more than 20 drivers attempting to qualify.
“Whether you call it Outlaw 10.5, Pro Street, or Pro 10.5, this is one of the most exciting classes in drag racing,” said Wes Buck, promoter, WSOPM. “This style of racing has seen a major resurgence in recent years as Tyler Crossnoe, John Sears, and the PDRA team gave these racers a place to compete on a major stage. As the 2023 season progressed, we realized this group of competitors would fit right in at the World Series of Pro Mod. Along with adding an unpredictable element to our show, the Pro 10.5 Challenge is our way of recognizing the racers who’ve helped bring 10.5-style racing back as well as inspiring more teams to make the move to Pro 10.5.”
PDRA Pro Street was created as an updated version of the original Outlaw 10.5 class, with drivers limited to 33×10.5 bias-ply slick tires and body styles that retain factory appearance, profiles, and dimensions. The eighth-mile class has developed a growing racer and fan base in PDRA competition since its debut championship season in 2021. This year, four drivers were in championship contention going into the final race of the season.
