WSOPM
Keith Haney Looking Forward to Bringing Back Pro Mod Rivalry, Racing East Coast Drivers at World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Mid-West Drag Racing Series Founder Keith Haney is locked in for the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, March 
3-5, 2023, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Haney also happens to be the driver of one of the fastest nitrous oxide-injected Pro Mods, a Camaro nicknamed “Black Mamba.”
“I couldn’t be happier to be able to go race against the East Coast guys,” stated Haney. “They talk a lot of smack about us Mid-West guys, but we always seem to be the fastest. It’s going to be exciting to race against some of them I haven’t raced against in years.”
Haney is especially looking to relight the fire against one of his long-time rivals at the $100,000-to-win WSOPM.
“What better place than to get Stevie Jackson and me back together, one of the biggest rivalries in drag racing?” he rhetorically asked. Haney pointed out their Lights Out grudge racing days, specifically in 2018 when he lost to Jackson. “The starting line had as many people on the starting line as you could put and then some.
RedTide Canopies Named Official Canopy and Signage Partner of 2023 World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – World Series of Pro Mod officials announced that RedTide Canopies, the premier custom canopy and outdoor event 
printing provider, has been named the official canopy and signage partner of the 2023 event set for March 3-5.
“We’ve worked with Joshua and the team at RedTide for the last few years and felt it was important that our relationship continues to evolve, and we’re excited for that next step to be with World Series of Pro Mod,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial Director. “We look to set the standard in everything we do, and that most certainly includes signage and event branding. RedTide shares our vision for this event and is the perfect partner to help us make our collective vision a reality.”
The Utah-based company’s mission is to engage the community, businesses, and individuals alike by striving to help local businesses grow and encourage individuals to support their local economy.
Doug Winters Looking to Avenge 2019 World Series of Pro Mod Runner-Up Finish for a Win at 2023 WSOPM
BRADENTON, FL – Second place won’t be good enough for Doug Winters at the 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod. The NHRA 
Pro Mod veteran has made it known that he wants to win the $100,000 winner-take-all cash prize all at the event set for March 3-5 at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
“We were in Denver for the 2019 World Series of Pro Mod, and we got runner-up at that event,” explained Winters. “We’re looking forward to getting back and getting the win this time.
“I know what it’s like to run for $100,000 in one round and come up short and get zero. I’m definitely looking forward to the chance to recoup that $100,000 that I got shut out of in 2019,” he continued.
The WSOPM will feature 40-plus of the best Pro Mod drivers. Only the 32 quickest racers will qualify to compete for the cash prize. Some drivers weren’t sure if they would get the call to battle it out on the biggest Pro Mod stage. Winters was one of them.
Reigning PDRA Extreme Pro Stock World Champion Johnny Pluchino Secures Invite to Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational
BRADENTON, FL – As a second-generation PDRA Extreme Pro Stock world champion, Johnny Pluchino knows what it takes to excel in the 
Mountain Motor Pro Stock ranks. He’s proven that twice now after winning the 2022 world championship to go along with his 2020 title. With the No. 1 back on his window, Pluchino is set to take part in the inaugural $hameless Racing Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational (MMPSI) presented by Seminole Paving during the 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, March 3-5, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Pluchino secured the second invitation to the eighth-mile MMPSI, which will pay $25,000 to the winner of the 16-car field. He joins record holder John DeFlorian as the first two invitees.
“I want to be there with the best of the best on a good stage and in great air,” said Pluchino, also a two-time PDRA Pro 632 world champion. “I want to put up some numbers and take home the big check. I’m excited to see the list of drivers. I’m sure it’ll be really stiff competition, but we’re up for the challenge.”
Craig Sullivan, Fan-Favorite ‘El Mero Mero’ ’49 Mercury Ready to Get Rowdy at World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – Pro Modified has a rich history of unique body styles, and when Craig Sullivan rolls into Bradenton Motorsports Park 
for the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, March 3-5, 2023, he will definitely continue that longstanding tradition.
Sullivan pilots a screw-blown 1949 Mercury, affectionately named “El Mero Mero.” Built by Larry Jeffers Race Cars, it fulfills Sullivan’s vision of doing something over the top that grabs everyone’s attention.
“With all of my race cars, we’ve always dared to be different,” Sullivan said. “I had a dragster that had a Burmese python skin all the way down the side of it that was a wrap; we’ve done the ‘Barn Burner’ that looked like a vehicle that Richard Petty put outside of a barn and left there.”
Sullivan says that when he received the invitation from Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial Director Wes Buck, he was “overwhelmed,” and immediately accepted his spot in the big show.
Inaugural Xtreme Front Wheel Drive Challenge Added to 2023 World Series of Pro Mod
BRADENTON, FL – The Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod continues to expand and diversify with the addition of the inaugural 
Xtreme Front Wheel Drive Challenge. The Xtreme Front Wheel Drive Challenge will be held in conjunction with the 2023 World Series of Pro Mod, March 3-5, at Bradenton Motorsports Park, officials announced.
“We couldn’t be more excited to add the inaugural Xtreme Front Wheel Drive Challenge to the 2023 running of the World Series of Pro Mod,” said Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial Director Wes Buck. “This is a community of racers, teams and fans that we feel strongly deserve to be a part of this massive event and will bring a unique energy and enthusiasm to WSOPM. We’ve extended invites to many of the best Sport Compact racers in the world and can’t wait to see them battle it out for $20,000.”
Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida, has played host to some of the biggest XFWD events, and BMP Owner Victor Alvarez is ready to welcome them back.
John DeFlorian Accepts First Invitation to $25,000-to-Win Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational
BRADENTON, FL – There are few people who get as excited about Mountain Motor Pro Stock racing as class veteran John DeFlorian. That’s 
one of the reasons why he was the first driver invited to take part in the inaugural $hameless Racing Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational (MMPSI) presented by Seminole Paving. Taking place during the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, March 3-5, 2023, at Bradenton Motorsports Park, the MMPSI is a $25,000-to-win invitational.
“To be invited first, I’m extremely humbled by it,” DeFlorian said. “I never would’ve expected it. This is going to be a lot of fun. This will be the best of the best. When you go down there for $25K, you’re going to have guys throwing down, and you better bring your A-game if you’re gonna try to get it done. We’re so wound up and excited about it. This is the first year for it, and I don’t think it’ll do anything but grow and get bigger and bigger every single year from here on it. Glad to be on the ground floor of it.”
Since joining the Mountain Motor Pro Stock ranks in 2012, DeFlorian has just about done it all, including win races in five different series and sanctioning bodies. He’s competed against championship drivers along the way, and he’s expecting the toughest competition yet at the Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational.
Tickets on Sale for 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod at Bradenton Motorsports Park
BRADENTON, FL – After high demand, tickets to the richest Pro Mod drag race, the 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, are now 
on sale. The WSOPM is set for March 3-5, 2023, at one of the nation’s premier drag racing facilities, Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida.
“The World Series of Pro Mod is set to change the sport of drag racing forever as in just under three months the best drivers and teams on the planet will take to the legendary drag strip at Bradenton Motorsports Park and do battle for $100,000,” said Wes Buck, event promoter. “It’s going to be something that no one will want to miss, and the energy and enthusiasm for the race is already building. We know our passionate fans here in the U.S. and those from around the world will want to be there to witness the biggest, richest Pro Mod drag race in the history of the known universe first hand. We can’t wait for March 3rd, 2023.”
Fans can purchase various tickets to the highly-competitive doorslammer race, where they will see the best Pro Mod drivers compete for the winner-take-all $100,000 cash prize. The 2023 WSOPM will feature an eighth-mile outlaw format. Only the quickest 32 of the 40-plus invited drivers will qualify.
Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod to Air on CBS Sports
INDIANAPOLIS – The 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod will air on CBS Sports, event officials announced Thursday during a 
press conference at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis. Masters Entertainment Group will produce the show covering the stars and action of the $100,000-to-win invitational, March 3-5, 2023, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
“CBS Sports is the ideal partner for the World Series of Pro Mod, allowing us to put the biggest, richest Pro Mod drag race in the history and our incredible roster of drivers in some 69 million households,” said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial Director. “This deal represents an unparalleled increase in exposure for our racers and partners, and sets us up for continued growth and success alongside a committed, innovative, and world-class broadcast partner.”
CBS Sports’ coverage of the World Series of Pro Mod will feature a minimum one-hour show, with the possibility of expanding to a two-hour show. Along with showing the thrilling competition on track, the show will highlight the many different personalities that have been invited to take part in the $100,000 winner-take-all shootout.
Mark ‘Tydo’ Werdehausen to Race in Memory of Tim Slavens at WSOPM
BRADENTON, FL – As the longtime crew chief for the late Tim Slavens, Mark “Tydo” Werdehausen never thought he would be driving the 
twin-turbocharged “Wolverine II” ’69 Camaro Pro Mod that was built for Slavens before his untimely passing in early 2022. But after a record performance at the 51st annual Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, Werdehausen is ready to chase the $100,000 prize at the 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod in memory of Slavens.
“I’d rather [Slavens] be here driving,” Werdehausen said. “He’s the one who got us to where we’re at. I just get to take over. I just wish he could be here to enjoy it with us.”
Slavens, a fan favorite in small-tire classes like Radial vs. the World, passed away Jan. 7, 2022, after a hard-fought COVID battle just weeks after debuting the “Wolverine II” at the Snowbirds. With the support of Slavens’ family, Werdehausen and car owners Matt and Anita Zimmerman and Mark Michael forged ahead with the 2022 season, dedicating it to Slavens.
