Drag Illustrated
Hoosier Racing Tire Named Official Racing Tire of DI Winter Series, World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Hoosier Racing Tire will serve as the Official Racing Tire at the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, the $150,000-
to-win finale of the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service, series officials announced today. Through the partnership, Hoosier Racing Tire will provide tire service to the more than 75 Pro Modified teams competing February 27-March 1 at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
“This is a milestone for us to have an iconic brand like Hoosier Racing Tire involved with the DI Winter Series and the World Series of Pro Mod,” said Wes Buck, Founder and Editorial Director of Drag Illustrated. “To perform at their best, our drivers and teams need the absolute best products and services available to them. Tires and mounting services from Hoosier are a big part of that. The teams participating in the final race of the Winter Series – the $150,000-to-win World Series of Pro Mod – can roll into Bradenton knowing they’ll have access to the world-class tires they need.” Continue reading
Pro Line Racing Engines Joins Drag Illustrated Winter Series as Major Partner; Launches $5,000 Off The Trailer Bonus Program
BRADENTON, FL – Pro Line Racing Engines has officially joined the Drag Illustrated Winter Series as a major partner, further solidifying 
its commitment to supporting drag racers around the world. Known for delivering high-performance engines, parts, and turnkey packages, Pro Line will use this platform as an opportunity to engage and support new and existing customers at each of the DI Winter Series events.
“As a whole, we believe in supporting the places our customers race, but the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement around the DI Winter Series and the World Series of Pro Mod, as well as the movement in the industry, is off the charts,” said Eric Dillard, co-owner of Pro Line Racing Engines. “There’s no doubt these events are shaking up the drag racing community and our whole team is excited about being a part of it.” Continue reading
Fuel Factory Named Official Fuel of Drag Illustrated Winter Series, Bradenton Motorsports Park
BRADENTON, FL – Pennsylvania-based Fuel Factory, a race fuel producer built for racers by racers, has been announced as the Official Fuel 
of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series and Bradenton Motorsports Park. The partnership unites two powerhouse brands dedicated to advancing the sport of drag racing, delivering top-tier performance and unforgettable on-track experiences.
“Fuel Factory is thrilled to partner with Drag Illustrated and Bradenton Motorsports Park,” said Mia Tedesco, CFO of Fuel Factory. “We’re committed to supporting the venues and organizations that bring the best drag racing events to life. Bradenton Motorsports Park is well known for iconic events and provides a fantastic opportunity for showcasing Fuel Factory year around. Combine that with Drag Illustrated’s passion and commitment to celebrating the sport of drag racing, and this partnership is a natural fit. Together, we’re fueling the passion of racers and fans alike!”
Fuel Factory burst onto the motorsports scene with a singular focus on creating performance-driven race fuels. Developed and refined over the past year in collaboration with top engine builders and racers, Fuel Factory offers a suite of more than 20 unique blends designed to meet and exceed the needs of the global motorsport community. Continue reading
Mountain Motor Pro Stock, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster Round Out 2025 World Series of Pro Mod Lineup
BRADENTON, FL – Along with Pro Mod and Pro 10.5, the 2025 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod will feature Mountain Motor Pro 
Stock, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Super Pro, event officials announced today. The third annual Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational adds a naturally aspirated element to the $100,000-to-win Pro Modified event, while Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will bring fast bracket racing’s finest to Bradenton Motorsports Park. Super Pro will provide local bracket racers with an opportunity to compete on a national stage at the series finale of the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service.
“We were very happy with the ‘supporting cast’ that participated in last year’s World Series of Pro Mod, so we decided to run it back for the 2025 edition,” said Wes Buck, founder and editorial director, Drag Illustrated. “Pro Mod and Mountain Motor Pro Stock have shared the stage for many years. Fans enjoy seeing these two classes compete together. It’s a unique group of racers and teams, and the same can be said for Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. There are some big personalities and beautiful cars in these classes. Finally, we can’t have a race without the local racers getting to take part. These are the guys and girls we want to help us put on a show on the first weekend of March.” Continue reading
Drag Illustrated Celebrates 10 Years of 30 Under 30 With 2024 Issue Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Drag Illustrated is thrilled to announce the release of its highly anticipated 2024 30 Under 30 Issue, celebrating the 
brightest young talents shaping the future of drag racing. Marking the 10th anniversary of this list, the digital edition became available Tuesday night, spotlighting 30 standout individuals in the sport. Fans can look forward to the print edition debuting later this week at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show, where the 30 Under 30 Class of 2024 will be honored during a special press conference on Friday, Dec. 13.
“The 30 Under 30 Issue is one of our most significant annual projects,” said Nate Van Wagnen, editor-in-chief of Drag Illustrated. “What began as a way to celebrate drag racing’s rising stars and highlight the sport’s promising future has grown into a full-fledged movement. Ten years in, we’ve celebrated hundreds of young individuals who are making a positive impact on the sport. This year’s list covers numerous different classes and corners of the sport.”
The cover of the 30 Under 30 features three rising stars in the Professional Drag Racers Association’s (PDRA) Pro Street class. Newly crowned world champion Ethan Steding leads the charge, with fellow driver Scott Kincaid and tuner Ronnie Green Jr. joining him. Continue reading
Modern Racing Named Official Turn-Key Solution of Drag Illustrated Winter Series Presented by J&A Service
BRADENTON, FL – Drag Illustrated is proud to announce Modern Racing as the Official Turn-Key Solution of the Drag Illustrated Winter 
Series presented by J&A Service. Based in Mooresville, North Carolina, Modern Racing has become the trusted one-stop-shop for racers seeking turn-key solutions for wiring, plumbing, fabrication, tuning, and more. This partnership underscores both organizations’ commitment to providing exceptional support to the drag racing community.
“Everyone here at Modern Racing is thrilled to be part of such a large and exciting race series,” said Justin Elkes, owner of Modern Racing. “Through the years, we’ve been lucky enough to become the go-to place for turn-key solutions, which means we’ve had the honor of working with most of the drivers in the field today, especially the Pro Mod racers. Not only does this partnership give us the chance to give back and support our current customers, but it gives us the opportunity to introduce ourselves to the other racers we’ve yet to reach. Whether it’s assistance with wiring, plumbing, fabrication, tuning, or just getting the parts you need to keep your trailer stocked and prepped, we’re ready to help every customer get the job done.”
Modern Racing’s extensive experience with performance parts, electronics, and data acquisition has cemented its reputation as an essential resource for racers. From NHRA Pro Stock teams to PDRA Pro Nitrous record holders, Elkes and his team are known for delivering race-ready solutions and offering exceptional customer support. Continue reading
Drag Illustrated Winter Series Introduces Points Championship for Pro Mod Racers
BRADENTON, FL – The highly anticipated 2024-25 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service promises to elevate the competitive landscape of Pro Mod drag racing. The three-race championship series, contested exclusively at the legendary Bradenton Motorsports Park, will see drivers battling for the first-ever Drag Illustrated Winter Series Points Championship, culminating in the prestigious World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM) with points-and-a-half awarded during eliminations.
With over $275,000 in purse money up for grabs across the three events and an additional $25,000 prize for the series champion, this inaugural championship is designed to bring out the best in Pro Mod competitors. To sweeten the pot, the points champion will also receive a custom-designed championship ring by Jostens, underscoring the prestige of this groundbreaking series.
“It’s been amazing to see the evolution of our Drag Illustrated-produced events,” said Wes Buck, Founder and Editorial Director of Drag Illustrated. “What started out as a once-a-year happening has evolved into a three-race championship series that is going to produce some of the most competitive drag racing in the history of our sport.” Continue reading
PDRA Pro Nitrous Wheelman Marcus Butner Ready To Take on DI Winter Series
BRADENTON, FL – After making his Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod debut earlier this year, Marcus Butner is upping the ante by 
accepting his invitation to compete in the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Though he’ll miss the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals in two weeks, the North Carolina native will join the action at the U.S. Street Nationals in January and the World Series of Pro Mod in March. Plus, the family business, Butner Construction signed on as an associate sponsor of the Winter Series.
Butner recently finished his first full eight-race PDRA Pro Nitrous season with a fourth-place finish in the championship points standings. He previously ran three partial seasons, including a 2023 campaign that saw him reach his first final round before earning his first career win. He’s proven himself as a driver, and tuner Jay Cox has a strong reputation of his own in the nitrous Pro Mod world. Together, the Butner Motorsports team is ready for the challenge of competing against the toughest teams in Pro Modified at the Winter Series.
“I’m expecting the baddest Pro Mod racing there is,” Butner said. “Our confidence is high. We have high hopes, obviously, but it’s the toughest thing you can ever show up to.” Continue reading
Reigning World Series of Pro Mod Champion Derek Ward Accepts DI Winter Series Invitation
BRADENTON, FL – Derek Ward, who solidified his name in the Pro Modified history book when he won the 2024 Drag Illustrated World 
Series of Pro Mod in March, will be one of the dozens of Pro Mod drivers competing in the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series, race officials announced today. Ward and his screw-blown ’68 Firebird will attempt to defend his World Series of Pro Mod victory in March 2025 after competing in the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals in December and the U.S. Street Nationals in January 2025, all at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Ward, the 2023 Northeast Outlaw Pro Modified Association (NEOPMA) season champion, raced through four rounds of eliminations at the World Series of Pro Mod in early March to meet four-time PDRA Pro Nitrous world champion Jim Halsey in the $100,000-to-win final round. Ward pulled off the win in the blower versus nitrous oxide match, earning the cash, the bragging rights, and a spot on the cover of Drag Illustrated’s WSOPM Issue.
As the reigning WSOPM champion, Ward was one of the first drivers invited to compete in the DI Winter Series, which includes the historic Snowbird Outlaw Nationals on Dec. 6-8, 2024; the U.S. Street Nationals on Jan. 24-26, 2025; and the World Series of Pro Mod Feb. 27 to March 1, 2025. Continue reading
Ruleset Announced for Drag Illustrated Winter Series
BRADENTON, FL – As the 2024-25 Drag Illustrated Winter Series approaches, series officials have released the highly anticipated rules, 
regulations, and race format, setting the stage for one of the most competitive seasons in drag racing history. Known for producing some of the best side-by-side drag racing in the world today, the World Series of Pro Mod, now the final round of the new three-race Drag Illustrated Winter Series, has earned a reputation for tight fields and heart-stopping action. This year promises to push the envelope even further.
In recent years, the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM) has consistently showcased just how competitive Pro Mod racing can be. In 2023, the 32-car field was separated by an astonishing .056 seconds, and in 2024, even with the addition of fresh faces and new combinations, the spread only widened to .066 seconds. These incredibly narrow margins have been the result of tireless efforts by the Winter Series team to ensure a level playing field for all competitors.
John Sears, Drag Illustrated Winter Series Competition Director, explained the driving force behind these adjustments, “The mission I was given was to create the closest racing and tightest fields in drag racing on any level,” Sears said. “That was the stated goal from the onset, and in both 2023 and 2024, that’s exactly what we achieved—the tightest 32-car fields in the history of our sport.”
