Drag Illustrated
Past NMCA Pro Mod Champion Eric Gustafson Gearing Up For WSOPM Debut
BRADENTON, FL – After winning the 2020 NMCA Xtreme Pro Mod championship, Eric Gustafson took a planned hiatus from driving to 
focus on business and family. He put the team in the capable hands of his crew chief Cameron Hensley and co-crew chief/tuner Jason Lee, who took over driving duties for the next few years.
What Gustafson didn’t know is that he would suffer two significant personal health setbacks during this time, but being the competitor that he is, has returned to full health and is ready to take on the best of the best at the 2024 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage and J&A Service, March 1-3, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Gustafson, who made his return to competition at the U.S. Street Nationals at Bradenton in late January, will get back behind the wheel of his 1969 Coast Packing/R&E Racing Camaro Pro Mod, which was recently rebuilt top to bottom by Lyons Custom Motorsports.
Bill Miller Engineering Renews World Series of Pro Mod Partnership
BRADENTON, FL – Bill Miller Engineering (BME), an industry leader in forged aluminum pistons and connecting rods, has renewed its 
support of the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage and J&A Service, March 1-3, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. BME is the latest industry leader to support the $100,000 Pro Mod event, now in its fifth year overall and second year in Bradenton, Fla.
A noted powerhouse in motorsports, BME has manufactured championship-winning aluminum connecting rods, forged racing pistons, wrist pins and superchargers for more than four decades. Operating out of a state-of-the-art facility in Carson City, Nev., BME has stayed at the forefront of machine tool technology.
“As a longtime supporter of Drag Illustrated and their World Series of Pro Mod, I’m excited for this year’s event,” said Bill Miller, founder, BME. “Many of the Pro Mods competing will be using our components, most notably Mark Micke and his record-setting turbocharged Camaro. Mark uses our new Pro Mod Rod, along with BME pistons and wrist pins, to withstand the extreme conditions created when generating nearly 5,000 HP.”
PJS Racing Joins WSOPM as Event Sponsor
BRADENTON, FL – PJS Racing has been named an event sponsor of the 2024 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM) 
presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage and J&A Service, race officials announced today. Taking place March 1-3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park, the WSOPM will see more than 60 of the best Pro Modified teams in the world compete for a $100,000 winner-take-all prize.
“Brandon Pesz, his wife Kimmelyn and son Cole, along with the whole gang at PJS Racing, are doing big things in the sport of drag racing right now, and I couldn’t be more excited to have them as part of our Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod family,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder & editorial director. “I’ve known Brandon since 2006 when we met at Texas Raceway in Kennedale, Texas, and we’ve been good buddies ever since. I’ve always tried to do my best to support him and his racing career and now, as a business owner himself, he’s committed to supporting me, and that means a lot. It’s how these things are supposed to work.”
PJS Racing is known for building some of the most powerful and durable racing engines on the market, while maintaining the highest quality and quantity of parts available for their customers. They also provide tuning and suspension setups for high-horsepower race cars.
Strange Engineering Joins Forces Again with Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod as Racer Welcome Party Partner
BRADENTON, FL – Strange Engineering, a leading provider of high-performance automotive components, is proud to announce its 
partnership with the 2024 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM) presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage and J&A Service, to host an exclusive Racer Welcome Party. This event will set the stage for the highly anticipated racing weekend at Bradenton Motorsports Park from March 1-3, with the welcome festivities taking place on Thursday, Feb. 29.
The WSOPM Racer Welcome Party presented by Strange Engineering aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere for racers and sponsors alike, allowing them to unwind and socialize before the competitive action begins. According to Drag Illustrated Founder and WSOPM Promoter Wes Buck, the idea is to recreate the carefree spirit of youth.
“With the high stakes and pressure that come with the WSOPM, we wanted to continue the tradition of the pizza party where our racers can grab a slice of pizza and a cold drink,” said Buck.
2023 Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association Champion Derek Ward Ready to Take On 2024 World Series Of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – A six-year veteran of the Pro Modified ranks, Derek Ward had his most successful season to date in 2023, having 
claimed the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association (NEOPMA) championship. Now, he is ready to throw down at the biggest and baddest Pro Mod event of the year, the 2024 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage and J&A Service, March 1-3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
“I am excited for sure and it’s definitely the biggest race I’ve ever raced at,” Ward said. “I think if we keep the car consistent like we have, we have as a good a chance as any to win it.”
There’s no doubt that 2023 was challenging for Ward, who was mixing it up with some of the best Outlaw Pro Mod racers around in the NEOPMA series, but the Maryland resident also suffered a major crash towards the end of the season.
“I wrecked at Budds Creek at the end of last year. A week later, I bought this one,” he said of the burgundy hued, 2005 G-Force Race Cars-built ‘68 Firebird he is currently piloting.
Shelton, Rivenbark Bringing One-Two Punch to World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Pro Modified veterans-turned-teammates Stan Shelton and Kevin Rivenbark will both be looking for redemption at 
this year’s Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM) presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage and J&A Service, taking place March 1-3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Both drivers narrowly missed the field in 2023 – Shelton qualified 34th, with Rivenbark one spot back in 35th – after getting bumped out in the final qualifying session by Spencer Hyde. Hyde then went on to win the $100,000 prize. That setback is only motivating the pair even more this year.
“We’re really excited, because we didn’t make the show last year,” said Shelton. “We came in, we tested, but we just wasn’t good enough. But that’s what is so impressive about the show – everybody’s got a chance to win it. We’re excited about running two cars. It’s a little tougher for us, but we like what we’re learning from it. We’ve got a great combination.”
Travis ‘The Carolina Kid’ Harvey Pulling Double Duty at World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – When Travis Harvey rolls through the gates of Bradenton Motorsports Park for the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro 
Mod (WSOPM) presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage and J&A Service March 1-3, he’ll do so with double driving duties.
Not only will Harvey be competing for the $100,000 prize in Pro Mod, he’ll also be competing in the $50,000-to-win Intercontinental Top Dragster Championship presented by FTI Performance, driving a car owned by Jeff Pittman and Angie Travis.
In Pro Mod, Harvey – the 2023 Big Dog Series champion – will be piloting his new screw-blown 2019 Chevy Camaro tuned by Steve Petty. He is hoping to improve upon his 2023 performance, where he qualified 27th and earned a first-round victory against Robert Abbott before falling to Marcus Birt in round two.
“I’m feeling a lot better and more confident than I was last year,” said Harvey. “We had a new combination last year starting out. It was great. But this deal, we’re a lot more prepared to come and run against the fast guys now. I think we’ll be great coming out of this race.”
Aaron Stanfield Prepared to Turn Shop Fever Into Shootout Focus for PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – Pro Stock standout Aaron Stanfield has a fever that not even Will Ferrell’s cowbell could cure. It’s shop fever – loosely 
defined as the itching agitation that a drag racer feels after spending too many days in the shop without getting out on the track to experience the rush of dopamine and adrenaline that only comes from the power of acceleration coursing through one’s body.
“I tell the guys here (at Stanfield Racing Engines), we’ve been working in the shop for so long I’m starting to get shop fever,” joked Stanfield. “I’m just ready to get back out there and get to racing.”
Luckily for Stanfield, the wait is almost over. He will join his fellow Elite Motorsports Pro Stock teammates for the inaugural SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Feb. 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Eric Latino Set for Pivotal Challenge at PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – Eric Latino is one of the 20 Pro Stock drivers who are gearing up for an appearance at the inaugural SCAG Power 
Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage set to take place Feb. 8-10 at Bradenton Motorsports Park. This event stands out in the drag racing calendar not only for its high stakes but also for its unique format and significant racer involvement.
“I’m excited about the race because there is $125,000 on the line,” said Latino. “I’m also excited because there are going to be fuel cars in Bradenton – the fans are going to crazy for it, and I think it will be a sell-out.”
The substantial prize money, $125,000-to-win in Pro Stock, is a major draw for him and his KB Titan Racing team. However, the PRO Superstar Shootout holds more than just financial allure for Latino.
PPG Named Premier Sponsor of PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – PPG, a world leader in performance coatings, has signed on as a premier sponsor of the inaugural SCAG Power 
Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Feb. 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The paint manufacturer will also serve as the primary sponsor on the Tasca Racing Ford Mustang driven by Bob Tasca III, one of the 13 drivers competing for the $250,000 Funny Car title at the first-ever PRO Superstar Shootout.
More than $1.3 million in prize money will be up for grabs at the PRO Superstar Shootout, which also includes $250,000-to-win Top Fuel and $125,000-to-win Pro Stock.
“This race wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors like PPG,” said Bob Tasca III, Funny Car driver and board member, Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO). “Companies like PPG are standing behind the racers saying, ‘Hey, let’s do something different. We want to be a part of it.’ I think it’s just a testament to the sponsors that believe in these teams and want to support us. We’re grateful for their support and we’re going to do everything in our power to make it a huge success.”
