Rapidly dropping track temperatures led Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series officials to postpone the completion of Saturday eliminations at the season-opening KTR Drag Racing PDRA Carolina Nationals presented by Pee Dee Fleet at Darlington Dragway. The series completed two round of eliminations in the professional classes and was wrapping up the second round of sportsman eliminations when the decision was made to postpone the rest of the race to the Summit Racing Equipment PDRA East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech, April 16-18, at Darana Motorsports Park in Dunn, North Carolina.
“This event is now secure due to extended downtime and cold temperatures,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “We have lost the racing surface and do not feel it is a smart move to continue in the essence of safety.”
The unseasonably cool temperatures that led to the postponement also presented record-setting conditions earlier in the day while the sun was out. In WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive, No. 1 qualifier Randy Weatherford backed up his E.T. record attempt from Friday night in Saturday’s opening round of eliminations, though he lost the round due to a red light. In the second round, Johnny Camp took the record by one thousandth of a second with his 3.542-second pass at 213.88 mph in his ProCharged “Hells Bells” ’69 Camaro tuned by Brandon Stroud. Camp is set to face Melanie Salemi in the semifinals, while reigning world champion Ty Tutterow will take on Lyle Barnett in the other semifinal pairing.
The Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous presented by Jerry Bickel Race Cars semifinals will feature the three most recent world champions. Three-time world champ and No. 1 qualifier Tommy Franklin will meet 2024 world champion Fredy Scriba and reigning world champion Marcus Butner will line up next to “Mountain Man” Mike Achenbach.
Jerry Morgano, the No. 1 qualifier in Liberty’s Gears Pro Street presented by KTR Drag Racing, kept his qualifying performance going in eliminations, as he is set to face Blake Denton in the semis after taking out E.T. record holder Richard Reagan in the second round. Super Bowl champion Fletcher Cox will meet second-generation driver Joel Wensley Jr. on the other side of the ladder.
Two-time and reigning PDRA Pro 632 presented by Mark Williams Enterprises world champion Jeff Melnick will square off against No. 1 qualifier J.C. Beattie Jr. in the semis, while Melnick’s teammate, Jeff Pittman, will get a bye to the final round.
The semifinals in 1320 Fabrication Super Street presented by Brian’s Heating & Cooling will see No. 1 qualifier Matt Schalow taking on 2024 world champion Dan Whetstine and reigning world champion Connor McGee facing fellow young gun Austin Vincent.
In the sportsman classes, MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines completed two rounds, Greenbrier Excavating & Paving Elite Top Dragster presented by American Race Cars completed one round, and MagnaFuel Top Sportsman and ATI Performance Products Top Dragster presented by TBM Brakes finished three rounds. Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by Philadelphia Racing Products did not start eliminations and entry fees will be refunded.
Pro Jr. Dragster ran one round of eliminations, while Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster did not start eliminations.
The Carolina Nationals will be completed at Darana Motorsports Park during the East Coast Nationals on Thursday, weather permitting.
