Drag Illustrated
Bob Tasca III Focused on Chasing $250,000 Funny Car Payday at PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – As a third-generation racer in the Tasca family, tradition is important to Bob Tasca III. But he also recognizes the 
opportunity to step outside the box and try new things. That’s one of the reasons why he’s looking forward to heading south to Bradenton Motorsports Park for the inaugural SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage on Feb. 8-10. Tasca is one of 13 Funny Car stars who will compete for the $250,000 Funny Car winner’s share of the $1.3M total prize money.
The PRO Superstar Shootout, also featuring $250,000-to-win Top Fuel and $125,000-to-win Pro Stock, will offer four qualifying sessions to the invite-only roster of drivers, with one session set for Thursday night and three sessions on Friday. Eliminations will kick off on Saturday. The eight qualified drivers in Top Fuel and Funny Car and the 16 qualified drivers in Pro Stock will use random chip draws to determine pairings in eliminations.
Musco Sports Lighting Named Official Temporary Lighting Provider of PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – When the stars of Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock begin Thursday night qualifying under the lights at the inaugural 
SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, they will be illuminated by Musco Sports Lighting. Race officials announced today that Musco will serve as the Official Temporary Lighting Provider of the PRO Superstar Shootout, Feb. 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
“It makes all of us feel good knowing that Musco is providing the light we need to run this event as safely as possible,” said Chad Head, vice president, Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO). “We’re trying to live up to the safety standards that we’re given week in and week out by our sanctioning body. Safety is of the utmost importance, and when you’re dealing with cars traveling at over 300 MPH, we need the best lighting available.”
The leader in sports lighting equipment, Musco is already familiar with the needs of professional drag racers through its work with the NHRA. Though the PRO Superstar Shootout is not an NHRA-sanctioned event, race officials like Head recognized Musco as the go-to source for temporary lighting solutions.
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.
