PDRA
PDRA ProStars Concludes Early at Virginia Motorsports Park’s Night of Fire
DINWIDDIE, VA – The third annual Summit Racing Equipment PDRA ProStars race came to an early end just before the final rounds were 
contested Saturday night at Virginia Motorsports Park. A timing system malfunction during the Top Fuel final round prevented the completion of the rest of the final rounds. The finalists in all PDRA classes split the winner-take-all payouts, and they’ll race for the event trophy at the next PDRA race, Aug. 3-5.
“An unfortunate series of events caused a catastrophic timing system failure that could not be repaired in time to complete the final rounds,” said Tyler Crossnoe, PDRA series director and vice president of Virginia Motorsports Park. “We exhausted every available resource and potential solutions in an effort to repair the system so we could wrap up what was an incredible show for the fans all day long, as well as crown ProStars champions. We appreciate the fans who joined us, and we thank the racers for helping us entertain the crowd. All the finalists took home some money, and they’ll get the chance to race for the trophies and bragging rights at the PDRA Northern Nationals presented by Talbert Manufacturing in Martin, Michigan, in two weeks.”
PDRA ProStars was a part of VMP’s Night of Fire, which also featured country music concerts by Walker Montgomery and Chase Matthew. On-track, it included a four-car Top Fuel match race, an eight-car Top Alcohol Dragster Shootout presented by The Empowerment Alliance, two Nostalgia Funny Cars, two Jet Dragsters, a wheelstander, and the Super 64 Shootout.
With Fields Set, PDRA Returns to Virginia Motorsports Park for Summit Racing ProStars
DINWIDDIE, VA – For the last seven races – three last season and four this season – Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) racers 
have been racking up points for the opportunity to compete in this weekend’s third annual Summit Racing Equipment PDRA ProStars race. Held in conjunction with Virginia Motorsports Park’s Night of Fire on July 22, ProStars is a single-day shootout pitting the series’ best racers against each other for more than $60,000 in payouts.
“ProStars has been the talk of the pits all season, but especially at the last couple races,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “We created ProStars as a way to reward the PDRA’s faithful racers and give them an opportunity to put on a show for the fans at our Night of Fire. It’s become an event that the teams really look forward to, and they’ve been working hard to earn ProStars points for the opportunity to make it into the fields. With continued support from Summit Racing Equipment, we’re ready to put on a show and pay out serious money to the winners.”
On top of ProStars, VMP’s Night of Fire will feature a four-car Top Fuel match race, the eight-car, $10,000-to-win Top Alcohol Dragster Shootout presented by The Empowerment Alliance, two Nostalgia Funny Cars, the Larsen Motorsports Jet Dragsters, and a wheelstander.
Summit Racing PDRA ProStars, Top Fuel, Country Stars to Light Up VMP’s Night of Fire
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – Virginia Motorsports Park’s largest single-day drag racing event is just one month away, and it’s going to be 
bigger and better than ever. The Night of Fire, featuring the third annual Summit Racing Equipment PDRA ProStars race, will bring four Top Fuel dragsters, eight Top Alcohol Dragsters, concerts by country stars Chase Matthew and Walker Montgomery, and much more to VMP on Saturday, July 22.
“Night of Fire is hands down one of my favorite events of the season,” said Tyler Crossnoe, vice president of VMP and PDRA series director. “It is the best fan experience event we have on the schedule because everything is compiled into one day, an action-packed day from start to finish. Drag racing is a hard sport to encompass to a new fan, unlike NASCAR or Formula 1, where the entire race is completed in the span of a few hours. Events like Night of Fire put drag racing on the same timeframe, all while continuing to put forth a great on-track product for the diehard drag racing fans and new fans seeing the sport, possibly for the first time.”
First-Time Winners Butner, Quartuccio and Nicholl Join Gillig, B. Davis, Kincaid and Denton as PDRA North vs. South Shootout Winners
BUDDS CREEK, MD – Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous young gun Marcus Butner defeated reigning world champion Jim Halsey in the final 
round of the PDRA Fulton Racing Engines North vs. South Shootout presented by Penske Racing Shocks to claim his first career win in the class Saturday night at Maryland International Raceway. Ken Quartuccio (WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive) and Doug Nicholl (M&M Transmission Pro 632) also claimed their first career wins in their respective classes.
Tony Gillig (Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition), Brayden Davis (Drag 965 Pro Nitrous Motorcycle), Scott Kincaid (Menscer Motorsports Pro Street presented by Afco), and Blake Denton (Afco Super Street presented by Menscer Motorsports) also added to their win totals with North vs. South Shootout victories.
Wins in the sportsman categories went to Dan Ferguson in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Kyle Harris in Laris Motorsports Insurance Elite Top Dragster, Al Davidowski in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman presented by Corbin’s RV, and Tisha Wilson in Laris Motorsports Insurance Top Dragster. Former Jr. Dragster standout Nicole Zuccarelli raced to victory in Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by COMP Cams, defeating Tommy Muller in the final round.
Halsey, Salemi, Montecalvo, Nicholl, Gast, Riddle, and Denton Shine in Rain-Shortened Friday Qualifying at PDRA North vs. South Shootout
BUDDS CREEK, MD – Maryland’s own Jim Halsey collected his third Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous low qualifier award of the 2023 PDRA 
season Friday night at the Fulton Racing Engines North vs. South Shootout presented by Penske Racing Shocks at Maryland International Raceway. He recorded his weekend-best 3.652-second pass during the first qualifying session, which was completed on Thursday night to get ahead of rain forecasted for Friday.
A severe thunderstorm moved into the Maryland International Raceway area Friday evening after just a few pairs of cars went down the track in WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive’s third session. Racing was put on hold for the evening. Pro Boost will complete its third session on Saturday. Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition will also get to run a third session on Saturday.
The four pro classes without a bump spot – M&M Transmission Pro 632, Drag 965 Pro Nitrous Motorcycle, Menscer Motorsports Pro Street presented by Afco, and Afco Super Street presented by Menscer Motorsports – will go into eliminations on Saturday after two completed sessions.
Final ProStars Spots On The Line at PDRA North vs. South Shootout
BUDDS CREEK, MD – As the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) rolls into Maryland International Raceway this weekend, June 
15-17, for the fourth of eight points races on the 2023 schedule, racers are eying the final spots to compete in the third annual Summit Racing Equipment ProStars race. Along with racing for championship points and event victories at the Fulton Racing Engines North vs. South Shootout presented by Penske Racing Shocks, drivers will be earning points to lock in the final spots for the race-your-way-in ProStars field.
“For the last three races of the 2022 season and the first three races of this season, our racers have been racking up ProStars points,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “That nearly year-long points chase will come to a close this weekend. While some spots have already been locked in, there are many more still up for grabs. Racers can earn points through participation and standout performances in qualifying and eliminations. These racers are already hyper-competitive, but this will just ramp up the competition level this weekend.”
The third annual Summit Racing Equipment PDRA ProStars race will take place July 22 at Virginia Motorsports Park during the track’s Night of Fire.
Fulton Racing Engines, Penske Racing Shocks Sign On as PDRA Maryland Event Sponsors
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – Fulton Racing Engines, a world-championship engine builder, will serve as the title sponsor of the PDRA’s fourth 
race of the 2023 season, the North vs. South Shootout at Maryland International Raceway. Penske Racing Shocks will join Fulton as the presenting sponsor of the race set to take place June 15-17.
“We’re fortunate to have incredible partners like Fulton Racing Engines and Penske Racing Shocks to help us celebrate our 10th season,” said Will Smith, marketing director, PDRA. “Gene Fulton and his team have powered some of our most successful racers. Similarly, Penske shocks are used on championship cars in multiple different classes. These companies play a critical role in the PDRA community, and their support of the North vs. South Shootout is certainly appreciated.”
Located near Spartanburg, South Carolina, Fulton Racing Engines is led by veteran engine builder Gene Fulton and a team that includes PDRA Top Sportsman and Top Dragster racer Stacy Hall. Fulton engines have powered racers to event wins, record performances, and world championships since Pro Mod’s earliest days.
Franklin, Harris, Drinkwater, Melnick, Kincaid and Denton Race to Victory at PDRA American Doorslammer Challenge
NORWALK, OH – A pair of two-time PDRA Pro Nitrous world champions, Tommy Franklin and Jason Harris, reached the winner’s circle at 
the third race of the PDRA’s 10th season Saturday night at the DeCerbo Construction American Doorslammer Challenge presented by Callies. Racing at Summit Motorsports Park, Franklin earned his first Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous win of the season, while Harris was victorious in WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive for the first time in his career.
The series also awarded professional class “660 Man” trophies to first-time winners Alan Drinkwater in Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition, Scott Kincaid in Menscer Motorsports Pro Street presented by Afco, and Blake Denton in Afco Super Street presented by Menscer Motorsports. Ohio’s own Jeff Melnick, who won the season opener in M&M Transmission Pro 632, collected his second win in three races.
Sportsman victories at Norwalk went to Donny Urban in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Pete Maduri in Laris Motorsports Insurance Elite Top Dragster, Gary Wojnowski in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman presented by Corbin’s RV, and TG Paschal in Laris Motorsports Insurance Top Dragster.
Halsey, Harris, Gillig, Nicholl, Riddle and Denton Earn Low Qualifier Spots at PDRA American Doorslammer Challenge
NORWALK, OH – Four-time and reigning Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous world champion Jim Halsey closed out Friday qualifying at the 
DeCerbo Construction PDRA American Doorslammer Challenge presented by Callies with a weekend-best pass to qualify No. 1 going into Saturday eliminations. Halsey’s 3.639-second pass at 207.66 MPH gave the points leader his second consecutive low qualifier award at the PDRA’s third race of the season.
Halsey’s fellow low qualifiers in the pro classes are Jason Harris in WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive, Tony Gillig in Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition, Doug Nicholl in M&M Transmission Pro 632, Bill Riddle in Menscer Motorsports Pro Street presented by Afco, and Blake Denton in Afco Super Street presented by Menscer Motorsports.
The sportsman classes also completed three Friday qualifying sessions, with No. 1 spots going to Buddy Perkinson in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Craig Addis in Laris Motorsports Insurance Elite Top Dragster, Vonnie Mills in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman presented by Corbin’s RV, and Steve Furr in Laris Motorsports Insurance Top Dragster.
PDRA to Take Over Norwalk for American Doorslammer Challenge
NORWALK, OH – A cast of emerging stars and tried-and-true veteran drivers in the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) are ready 
to put on a show at the third annual DeCerbo Construction American Doorslammer Challenge presented by Callies Performance, May 25-27, at Summit Motorsports Park. It’s the third race of the 2023 season, and valuable Summit Racing Equipment ProStars points and world championship points are on the line in almost a dozen professional and sportsman categories.
“We always look forward to our annual visit to the Bader family’s Summit Motorsports Park,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “This is a world-class facility with world-class fans. While we’re still early in our history at this track, many of our racers have been competing here for years – decades in some cases. They’ve built strong, passionate fan bases in this area, and we’re excited to give those fans a thrilling weekend of racing at the American Doorslammer Challenge. Additionally, we’re proud to have the continued support of two local companies, DeCerbo Construction and Callies Performance.”
All of the PDRA’s four-wheeled professional categories will be in competition, while Drag 965 Pro Nitrous Motorcycle will take the weekend off. The PDRA’s newest class, Afco Super Street presented by Menscer Motorsports, will compete for the second time this season.
