Racers in the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series professional, sportsman, and Jr. Dragster classes are eager to get back on track this weekend at the Hoosier Tire North vs. South Shootout presented by Callies Performance, June 25-27, at Maryland International Raceway. The last stop on tour was rained out before competition began, adding to the buildup for the fourth of seven races on the 2026 PDRA schedule.
“It’s been just over two months since we crowned event winners at the East Coast Nationals, so everyone is excited to pick things up again at Maryland,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “This is only the halfway point in the season, but we’re already starting to look at championship battles. Some clear favorites have stood out at the first two races, but that can all change this weekend. Every year when we return to Maryland, we see some shakeups across the board from our pro classes to the Jr. Dragster ranks. Saturday eliminations will feature can’t-miss racing from start to finish as drivers fight for valuable points and a 660 Man trophy.”
Three-time world champion Tommy Franklin continues to lead the Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous presented by Jerry Bickel Race Cars standings in his Musi-powered “Jungle Rat 3.0” ’69 Camaro. Franklin qualified No. 1 at the season opener and followed it up with a victory at the Summit Racing Equipment East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech at Darana Motorsports Park in Benson, North Carolina. “Mountain Man” Mike Achenbach sits second in points after winning the season opener in his return to Pro Nitrous competition behind the wheel of his Fulton-powered ’20 Camaro. Defending world champion Marcus Butner is third in his Musi-powered “Heartbreaker” ’69 Camaro, highlighted by a semifinal finish at Darlington and a No. 1 qualifier award at the most recent event.
Johnny Camp enters Maryland atop the WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive standings after a dominant start to the season. Camp set a new elapsed-time record at the season opener before racing to the event win in his ProCharger-boosted “Hells Bells” ’69 Camaro. He backed that performance up with a semifinal finish at Benson to maintain the points lead. Two-time Pro Boost world champion Jason Harris is second in points after driving his Harts Charger-boosted “Party Time” ’69 Camaro to victory at Benson. Melanie Salemi remains firmly in championship contention in third, thanks to a No. 1 qualifier award and runner-up finish in her screw-blown Al-Lee Installations “Purple Reign” ’68 Firebird at the most recent race.
Defending event winner Blake Denton leads Liberty’s Gears Pro Street presented by KTR Drag Racing as he pursues a Pro Street world championship to go with his Super Street title. Driving the nitrous-fed “Bonnie” ’69 Camaro previously campaigned by the late Lizzy Musi, Denton followed a semifinal finish at the season opener with a victory at Benson. Jerry Morgano holds second in points after qualifying No. 1 and reaching the final round at the opener in his turbocharged small-block “Copperhead” ’02 Mustang. Ron Green sits third in the standings as he continues his search for a first win of the season in the screw-blown “Gamechanger” ’00 Firebird.
Maryland’s own J.C. Beattie Jr. has established an early advantage in Pro 632 presented by Mark Williams Enterprises. Beattie has won both races contested this season while qualifying No. 1 at Darlington and No. 2 at Benson in his Reher-Morrison-powered ATI Performance Products ’18 Camaro. Former Top Sportsman standout Jeff Pittman is second in points after earning his first career No. 1 qualifier award at Benson and finishing runner-up at the season opener in his Barry Allen-powered Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales ’68 Chevelle. Rookie standout David Cook Jr. rounds out the top three in points with a runner-up finish at Benson driving his Nelson-powered Copy&PrintWarehouse.com ’10 GTO.
Defending 1320 Fabrication Super Street presented by Brian’s Heating & Cooling world champion Connor McGee once again finds himself leading the standings after two races. The driver of the Fulton-powered Brian’s Heating & Cooling ’90 Mustang won the season opener and followed it with a No. 1 qualifier effort and runner-up finish at Benson. Austin Vincent remains McGee’s closest challenger in second after driving his nitrous-fed Vincent Performance ’88 Mustang to victory at the most recent event. 2024 world champion Dan Whetstine sits third in points, led by a runner-up finish at the season opener in his ProCharged “Red Velvet” ’91 Mustang.
The points leaders in the sportsman classes entering Maryland are Scott Duggins in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Josh Duggins in Greenbrier Excavating & Paving Elite Top Dragster presented by American Race Cars, Joe Roubicek in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman, and Steven Boone in ATI Performance Products Top Dragster presented by TBM Brakes.
The North vs. South Shootout will also feature the area’s best bracket racers in Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by Philadelphia Racing Products.
In the PDRA’s Jr. Dragster ranks, the points leaders are Katelyn Page in Pro Jr. Dragster and Carter Hayes in Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster.
Pre-race Thursday testing will begin at 9 a.m. and will run until Top Sportsman and Top Dragster qualifying begins around 5 p.m. Pro qualifying sessions are set for Friday at 1 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. Pro eliminations will kick off Saturday at 12:45 p.m. and will continue into the evening until event champions are crowned in the FuelTech Winner’s Circle.
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