Drag Illustrated
Pro Stock Drivers Announced for Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – The Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) and Drag Illustrated announced today the all-star lineup of Pro 
Stock drivers who will compete for $125,000 to win at the inaugural Scag Power Equipment 2024 PRO Superstar Shootout, February 8-10, 2024, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The group includes world champions, seasoned veterans, and young drivers still building a reputation in the class known for its naturally aspirated, 500-cubic-inch engines and clutch pedals.
“This is going to be a showdown among the best drivers and teams in Pro Stock,” said Alan Johnson, President, PRO. “Fans can expect to see their favorite drivers racing in a relaxed yet high-stakes environment. The competition level in Pro Stock is incredible, and we’re looking forward to seeing the top teams battle it out for $125,000.”
The invitation-only PRO Superstar Shootout will include a 16-car field in Pro Stock, which will compete over the quarter mile. Drivers will have four qualifying sessions – one on Thursday, February 8 and three on Friday, February 9 – to lock in their positions. Random chip draws will determine the pairings in eliminations leading up to the final round.
Scag Power Equipment Named Title Rights Sponsor of PRO Superstar Shootout
BRADENTON, FL – Scag Power Equipment, an industry leader in commercial and residential outdoor power equipment, has been named the title rights sponsor of the inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout. The Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout, February 8-10, 2024, will pay out more than $1.3 million in total prize money to racers competing in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner to join us as we host the inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout,” said Alan Johnson, President, Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO). “Randy Gloede and the Scag Power Equipment team have become huge supporters of drag racing over the last couple years. They find value in being involved in the sport, and they’re making investments that will help take the sport to new levels. It means a lot to all of us that they believe in what we’re trying to do with the PRO Superstar Shootout.”
Scag manufactures a wide range of commercial and residential lawn mowers and debris/turf management equipment, including zero-turn riding mowers, stand-on mowers, walk-behind mowers, spreaders, sprayers, aerators, stand-on and wheeled blowers, truck loaders, and more. The line has grown from one model to over 50 models, and Scag equipment is proudly manufactured in the United States. Scag Power Equipment is available through more than 1,500 independent dealers across the country.
Kayla Zadel Named Drag Illustrated Digital Content Director
FT. WORTH, TX – Drag Illustrated Media announced today Kayla Zadel as the company’s new Digital Content Director. Zadel, who joined 
the DI team in 2022, will create and publish content on Drag Illustrated’s rapidly growing social media pages, as well as on DragIllustrated.com.
“Kayla joined our team in an editor-at-large capacity about a year ago and has repeatedly demonstrated that she’s a difference maker with every project she’s been involved with, so we’re genuinely excited to see her take on a larger role here at Drag Illustrated,” said Wes Buck, founder and editorial director, Drag Illustrated. “As Digital Content Director, Kayla will be taking the reins of DragIllustrated.com and our social media channels, as well as overseeing our rapidly-growing Crew Chief Daily email newsletter. This new arrangement comes at a fantastic time for Drag Illustrated as we’re seeing record growth across these platforms, and with Kayla at the helm we expect that trend to continue.”
With a background in broadcast journalism and social media marketing and management, Zadel brings a wealth of multi-faceted experience to the table. Along with professional experience, she’s well-versed in the intricacies of drag racing, as she grew up going to the track with her father’s Top Alcohol Dragster team. She also raced a 1970 Ford Fairlane in high school.
Date Set for 2024 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – On the first weekend in March 2024, the stars of Pro Modified will return to Bradenton Motorsports Park for the fifth 
edition of the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, March 1-3. The event will be headlined by the $100,000-to-win Pro Mod showdown, with additional classes to be announced.
“We couldn’t be more excited to go back to Bradenton on the first weekend in March for another incredible weekend of Pro Modified racing,” said Wes Buck, founder and promoter, WSOPM. “I love the opportunity to create some continuity. As excited as I was about year one and all the good things that came from this event, I’m even more excited to build on it. To go back to the same venue is huge. That was the first time we’d ever put on an event at BMP. We learned a lot about the track itself and the local area, and we can only grow from here.”
“We at BMP are extremely excited to have the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod back for 2024,” said Victor Alvarez, owner, Bradenton Motorsports Park. “This event was everything we dreamed up and more, and we still have so many plans to make it even better. I can honestly say this was my favorite event I’ve ever been a part of. It was special, and the vibe was unlike anything else I have ever been a part of. Working with the DI crew, we can achieve anything. We’re looking forward to taking it up a notch for 2024!”
World Series of Pro Mod Winner Spencer Hyde Appears on Cover of Drag Illustrated WSOPM Issue
FT. WORTH, TX – On the first weekend of March, Canada’s Spencer Hyde rocketed to the top of the Pro Modified world when he won the 
$100,000-to-win Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by J&A Service at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Now, Hyde’s victory lap continues as he appears on the cover of Drag Illustrated’s new WSOPM Issue, which is now available in digital form and arriving in subscriber mailboxes at the end of May.
“This is obviously very exciting for me and my crew and everybody that’s been behind me,” Hyde said. “It was nice to see the WSOPM footage on the CBS Sports show a few weeks back. That brought all the memories back. I think this issue of Drag Illustrated is really gonna make it all hit home and sink in that we did something pretty cool.”
Hyde had a storybook weekend at the World Series of Pro Mod. Competing against 60 other Pro Mod drivers, Hyde bumped into the 32-car field by just one thousandth of a second in the final qualifying session. He then took out four other standout competitors before beating Kurt Steding in a side-by-side, winner-take-all final round.
World Series of Pro Mod Broadcast to Air Tonight on CBS Sports
BRADENTON, FL – Television coverage of the 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by J&A Service at Bradenton 
Motorsports Park will air tonight, Sunday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports. The hour-long broadcast will recap the $100,000-to-win Pro Mod event, where Canadian racer Spencer Hyde defeated Kurt Steding in a side-by-side final round.
“This is a huge moment for Drag Illustrated and our World Series of Pro Mod, as well as the entire Pro Mod community,” said Wes Buck, WSOPM promoter and Drag Illustrated founder. “Pro Mod absolutely, positively deserves this moment and this stage. I’ve said for years that if drag racing has a best foot to put forward, it’s Pro Mod. To know that the World Series of Pro Mod will be available in over 98 million homes today is humbling and awe-inspiring. The most exciting part, though, is that I truly feel we are just getting started.”
Voiced by WSOPM announcers Joe Castello and Jason Galvin, the World Series of Pro Mod broadcast is a production of Masters Entertainment Group. The show will include behind-the-scenes coverage and interviews with the stars of the WSOPM in addition to all the on-track action.
Spencer Hyde Earns $100,000 Payday at World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Racing out of the No. 32 spot, Canadian Pro Mod standout Spencer Hyde made history Sunday night when he became 
the fourth winner of the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by J&A Service. With $100,000 on the line at Bradenton Motorsports Park, Hyde defeated PDRA Pro Boost star Kurt Steding in a winner-take-all final round decided by just thousandths of a second.
Hyde wasn’t the only driver leaving with a stack of cash. Event victories also went to John Montecalvo in the $25,000-to-win $hameless Racing Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational presented by Seminole Paving, David Ngo in the $20,000-to-win Xtreme Front-Wheel Drive Challenge, and Lenny Lottig in the $15,000-to-win D H Davies Racing Factory Stock Classic. Sportsman event wins went to McKenna Kitterman in $10,000-to-win Top Dragster and Brooks McMath in $5,000-to-win Super Pro.
All heads-up classes qualified on Friday and Saturday, then random chip drawings determined the pairings for all rounds of Sunday eliminations.
Johnny Camp Claims $10,000 Low Qualifier Bonus, Leads World Series of Pro Mod 32-Car Field Into $100,000-to-Win Eliminations
BRADENTON, FL – Despite a series of passes well into the 3.60-second zone Saturday night, no one topped Johnny Camp’s 3.626 at 205.91 
MPH effort at the top of the qualifying order for the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod presented by J&A Service at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Just .056 seconds separate Camp and the No. 32 qualifier, Spencer Hyde, with his 3.682 at 204.51. Sixty-one cars attempted to qualify for the 32-car field, and 44 of them dipped into the 3.60-second range.
No. 1 qualifiers in the other WSOPM classes are Richard Freeman in the $hameless Racing Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational presented by Seminole Paving, Nichole Elff in the Xtreme Front-Wheel Drive Challenge, AJ Berge in the D H Davies Racing Factory Stock Classic, and Pete Maduri in Top Dragster.
Pro Mod and all other heads-up classes had a random chip draw to set the first-round pairings for Sunday eliminations. The random chip draws will continue throughout eliminations.
Johnny Camp Leads 61-Car Pro Mod Order Friday Night at World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – PDRA Pro Boost standout Johnny Camp rocketed to the No. 1 spot in Pro Mod Friday night at the Drag Illustrated 
World Series of Pro Mod presented by J&A Service at Bradenton Motorsports Park. With his 3.626-second blast at 205.91 MPH in the “Hells Bells” ’69 Camaro, Camp leads a Pro Mod qualifying order that includes 60 other drivers fighting for 32 spots on race day Sunday.
The first day of qualifying at the World Series of Pro Mod also included one session in the $hameless Racing Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational presented by Seminole Paving, the XFWD Challenge, the D H Davies Racing Factory Stock Classic, and Top Dragster. The provisional low qualifiers in those classes are Richard Freeman (MMPSI), Rafa Famania (XFWD), Lenny Lottig (FSC), and Pete Maduri (TD).
PRO MOD
Johnny Camp, who regularly qualifies at the top in PDRA Pro Boost, ruled day one of qualifying in Pro Mod with his Brandon Stroud-tuned, ProCharged “Hells Bells” ’69 Camaro. He opened qualifying with a 3.647 at 204.82 to hold the No. 1 spot after the first session. The former Pro Nitrous driver then improved to a 3.626 at 205.91 in the night session to hang on to the top spot going into Saturday’s two sessions.
World Series of Pro Mod to Crown Next $100,000 Winner at Bradenton Motorsports Park
BRADENTON, FL – The stars of Pro Modified will converge on Bradenton Motorsports Park this weekend for the fourth Drag Illustrated 
World Series of Pro Mod presented by J&A Service, March 3-5. Over 50 drivers were invited to fight for the 32 qualifying spots and a shot at the $100,000 winner-take-all prize.
The three-day event will also include the $25,000-to-win $hameless Racing Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational presented by Seminole Paving, the $20,000-to-win Xtreme Front-Wheel Drive Challenge, and the $15,000-to-win D H Davies Racing Factory Stock Classic. Sportsman racers in Top Dragster and Super Pro will race for $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
“I’m genuinely excited for this weekend,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and WSOPM promoter. “I can feel the stars and moon aligning. Something special is about to happen in the sport of drag racing. I feel strongly this sport needed disrupting. Drag racing is blessed to have such a rich history and so many longstanding traditions, but it’s time for something new. It’s time for something different.”
