The 30th annual Platinum General Services event, proudly presented by the XDA, took on a bittersweet tone this past weekend at the Maryland International Raceway. As engines thundered against the backdrop of spring skies, the event unfolded with a poignant undercurrent, marking the first race since the passing of XDA co-owner Chris Miller.
Miller’s absence was deeply felt, his legacy casting a long shadow over the track he helped cultivate into a haven for speed enthusiasts. Despite this, racers and fans alike came together in a powerful display of solidarity and respect, celebrating his memory by ensuring the event he cherished ran with the precision and passion he was known for.
During three exhilarating days, competitors from far and wide converged, introducing fresh talent to the racing scene while seasoned veterans showcased their enduring skills.
However, Mother Nature had her own plans, as rain delays added a twist to the race schedule. These interruptions, although unwelcome, did little to dampen the spirits of the racers and fans alike. The track buzzed with activity between the showers, with pit crews working feverishly to make the most of the dry spells and prepare the bikes for the intense competition that awaited them.
Orient Express Racing Pro Street
Winner – Rodney Williford
Runner-up – Mark Rendeluk
The season opener for the Orient Express Pro Street class was nothing short of explosive. With a qualifying field boasting 23 bikes, the stage was set for high-speed competition. Reigning champion Rodney Williford wasted no time in asserting his dominance, leading the pack with a blistering 6.436-second pass at 232.39 mph. The crowd was on edge as Jason Dunigan notched the event’s top speed at 233.68 mph, and qualified second with a 6.482.
In eliminations, the air vibrated with intensity. Tony Ficher shattered his personal records, blazing through with a 6.473 at 229.74 MPH to triumph over Jamie Lopes. The action intensified as first-round victories went to heavy hitters including Williford, James Waugh, Justin Shakir, Greg Wallace, Dunigan, Darion Payne, and Mark Rendeluk.
The second round was full of nail-biting showdowns, with Rendeluk and Payne delivering an impressive side-by-side duel in the forties. Rendeluk edged out Payne with a 6.457 against his 6.477 effort. Williford, Shakir, and Dunigan also advanced, setting the stage for a dramatic semi-final.
Anticipation was high as Rendeluk faced off against his DME Racing teammate Dunigan. Both riders, having posted stellar 640s in the preceding round, promised an electrifying clash. Yet, fate had other plans; Dunigan encountered starting line woes, leaving Rendeluk to seize the win light and secure a spot in his second consecutive final.
Williford continued his relentless charge, securing a win with a 6.44-second run against Shakir’s 9.316. The final round was a spectacle of speed and skill, as Rendeluk’s sharp .010 reaction time clashed with Williford’s .059. Despite Rendeluk’s advantage off the line, Williford’s unyielding momentum carried him through to victory with a 6.431 to Rendeluk’s 6.555. As the smoke cleared and cheers filled the air, Rodney Williford stood once again as the season opener victor.
DME Racing Real Street
Winner – David Fondon
Runner-up – Jason Iannotti
The DME Racing Real Street class carved out its own chapter of milestones, birthing a saga of new talent and dramatic upsets.
Qualifying sessions unfurled with the reigning champion, Rickey Gadson, taking the number-one spot with a 7.440. Naturally, the crowd was whipped into a frenzy as Gadson not only lived up to the expectations but exceeded them by clicking off a monumental 200+ MPH run, the first in Real Street history, with a 201.79 MPH. The feat remains unofficial, though, as his subsequent passes didn’t back up the record.
Jason Iannotti, having qualified at the lower echelon of the ladder with a 10.720, demonstrated the power of perseverance. He ousted the defending champion Gadson in round one, overpowered Caleb Holt, and cruised past a semi-final bye, catapulting himself into the final round.
Parallel to this narrative, David Fondon, the number two qualifier with a commanding 7.519 aboard his HTP Performance Suzuki, made his presence felt. Dispatching Ty Isaac, Drae Taylor, and former class champion David Stewart, Fondon was resolute on his path to the finals.
Anticipation reached its peak as Iannotti and Fondon stood on the brink of potentially securing their first DME Racing Real Street victory. As they rolled up to the water box, spectators braced themselves for an electrifying showdown.
The air was thick with anticipation as this match alone would guarantee we would have a new crowned winner at the end. When the lights dropped, Fondon leapt off the line and grabbed the advantage with a razor-sharp .022 reaction time to Iannotti’s .150. It was a head-to-head sprint, with Iannotti giving chase, thundering down the strip in a valiant bid to overturn the lead. In the end, Fondon’s early advantage held firm, and he stormed across the finish line with a victorious 7.469 over Iannotti’s hard-fought 7.535. The drama is bound to follow at the MTC Summer Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, May 17-19.
MaxxECU Pro Xtreme
Winner – Dale Leeks
Runner-up – Rob Garcia
The MaxxECU Pro Xtreme 1/8 mile heads-up class is experiencing an international invasion with attendance from two riders from Canada, Jean Gosselin and Gerry Hunt, along with Dale Leeks from the United Kingdom.
The battle for supremacy was intense from the get-go, with George Whitaker clinching the number one qualifying spot with a 4.072, narrowly shadowed by Gosselin’s 4.079. Despite earning a bye in the first round due to his top qualifying position, Whitaker didn’t hold back, setting the stage ablaze with a staggering 4.042.
Joining Whitaker as first-round victors were reigning champion Chris Cutsinger, the UK’s Dale Leeks, Rob Garcia, and John Collins, each demonstrating their prowess and staking their claim for the title.
However, the second round was met with a mix of anticipation and disappointment. The withdrawal of both Collins and Whitaker due to mechanical woes, along with Cutsinger’s earned bye, resulted in an unusual quiet before the storm of the semi-finals.
In the third round UK’s Leeks smoothly sailed into the finals with an earned bye, setting his sights on the ultimate prize. The other spot was fiercely contested by Rob Garcia and Chris Cutsinger, in a clash that had the spectators on the edge of their seats. Garcia, quick off the line with a .049 reaction time, went side-by-side with Cutsinger down the strip. In a display of raw speed and steely nerves, Garcia edged out with a 4.17 victory, a mere whisker ahead of Cutsinger’s 4.195, securing his place in the finals and capping off an electrifying round of eliminations.
Leeks and Garcia were evenly matched in power and precision, making predictions all but impossible. As the lights flashed, Garcia snatched the starting line advantage with a .028 reaction time. Despite Garcia’s aggressive launch, his bike faltered in power output and Leeks tore down the strip, executing a near-perfect straight pass and stopping the clocks at 4.013 to Garcia’s trailing 4.441, claiming victory in a decisive, adrenaline-fueled finale.
MaxxECU Pro Xtreme is presented by Billy Vose Racing, Fast by Gast, Dunigan Racing, DME Racing, Grothus Dragbikes, Harley Haul, Rob Bush Motorsports, Robinson Industries, Schnitz Racing, Timblin Chassis, and Worldwide Bearings.
HTP Performance Super Stock
Winner – Jeremy Teasley
Runner-up – Caleb Holt
The HTP Performance Super Stock class was a battleground of precision riding skills. Darion Payne secured the number one qualifying spot with an 8.769 and a first-round bye. Yet, the tides of racing can turn quickly, and Payne was outpaced in the second round by Jamie Lopes.
Since the class’s birth in 2020, the Kawasaki ZX-14 has risen as the steed of choice, its presence on the track growing ever more dominant. This year, however, witnessed a spirited resurgence of Suzuki models making their mark early on. However all the Suzuki riders were out before the third round, setting the stage for a ZX-14 showdown once again.
Jeremy Teasley etched a path of consistent victories, besting competitors Dennis Iannnotti, Tim Cottrell, and Jimmy Leach to stake his claim in the finals. Meanwhile, Caleb Holt carved his own route to the decisive round, claiming wins against Mike Geer, Chris Moore, Jamie Lopes, and Mike Davis, proving himself a formidable force.
The final round was a showcase of skill, particularly off the line, in this hand-clutch class. Holt, with a swift .078, and Teasley, close behind with a .095, showcased their quick-draw capabilities. Despite Holt’s lead at the start, his performance deviated from the norm, clocking an ET of 10.235. This deviation left an opening that Teasley exploited, powering through to take the win with an 8.919 pass.
HTP Performance Grudge
Saturday night’s Running of the Bulls was sizzling, with fifty-one Grade A premium Bulls on the property to show out. XDA’s #KillerMiller track prep showed us in the shakedown runs that we had the quickest and fastest motorcycles grudge racing has to offer.
Booted Bulls
Winner – Frankie Stotz / Reddi-Wip
Runner-up – Derek Sobiech / Night Stalker
The Boosted Bulls class brought the heat with nine bikes ready for serious action. During the Shakedown rounds, these racers didn’t just set the bar—they launched it into orbit with their heart-pounding performances.
George Stanley, riding ‘On Time,’ snagged a bye to round two thanks to a lucky pull in the chip draw. Meanwhile, Frankie Stotz on ‘Reddi-Wip,’ Derek Sobiech on ‘Night Stalker,’ and Alex Moore on ‘Big Kountry’ tore through their competition, leaving no doubt about their speed and skill as they charged into round two.
Round two was all about Stotz and Sobiech laying down the law on the track, dominating like unstoppable freight trains. Their wins set the stage for a showdown so hyped, fans were pulling out their dollars.
Come the final throwdown, Stotz and Sobiech hit the strip, gunning it all the way to the wire in a head-to-head that was straight fire. Stotz clinched it, blasting past the finish line first to cap off a killer night with style. His win didn’t just showcase his chops; it threw down a gauntlet for the next big meet.
Nitrous Bulls
Winner – Antonia Patton / Big Dirty
Runner-up – Gaige Herrera / Big Bumpy
In the Nitrous Bulls class, it’s all about proving who’s got the fastest nitrous grudge bikes in the game. The vibe was intense out the gate, with riders throwing down some seriously blazing laps. Early rounds were all about tight races and high vibes, but as the night wore on, that cold air brought out the unpredictable side of nitrous oxide, messing with more than a few riders’ plans.
Antonio Patton rolling on ‘Big Dirty’ and Gaige Herrera on ‘Big Bumpy’ dominated the scene, blasting past their competition with sheer muscle and slick moves. These two were lined up for what everyone thought would be an epic clash in the final. But you know how it goes, fate had some twists. Herrera hit some snags after the semi-final and couldn’t roll up to battle it out in the final.
So, instead of a head-to-head battle, the event ended with Patton breaking the beams under power solo, taking the win without breaking a sweat. Even though the final lap lacked the usual drama, Patton’s performance all night long proved that ‘Big Dirty’ ain’t to be messed with when it comes to mastering the nitrous game.
3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls
Winner – Brandon Tyree / Made Man
Runner-up – Ken Alston / Leather Face
The 3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls brought in ten contenders, and man, these racers weren’t holding back—they were hitting that track like it owed them something. The side-by-side action was non-stop, giving the crowd plenty to holler about. But when it came down to it, the final felt like déjà vu from last year’s season opener, with the same old story playing out.
After three rounds of straight-up competition, Brandon Tyree on ‘Made Man,’ and Ken Alston on ‘Leather Face,’ proved once again they were the ones to beat. So, it was no surprise when they lined up against each other for the final showdown.
And guess what? Like last year, Tyree did it again, blasting across that finish line first and snagging another win for his crew. It seems like the winner’s circle is starting to feel like home to him.
Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls
Winner – Desmond Spaulding / NWA
Runner-up – Cody Lowe / The Kracken
The Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls class was another sold-out affair with 16 entries. Cody Lowe on ‘The Kracken’ made his mark at the Platinum General Services season opener by taking out ‘Moon Knight’ , ‘Josey Wales’ and ‘Grey Matter’ to earn a spot in Saturday night’s final.
Desmond Spaulding on ‘NWA’ was a dominant force with wins over ‘Monkey Business’ , ‘Tip-Toe’, and ‘Misbehavin’.
Spaulding won last year’s season-opener on ‘Mob Ties’ but this year he took that bike over to the Nitrous Bulls class. As he met Lowe in the final, he was laser-focused on the prize, and it paid off as he took the win and kept his winner’s circle domination in check.
All Motor Bulls
Winner – David Fondon / Bad B*tch
Runner-up – Curtis McDougald / Carbonator
David Fondon, rolling deep on ‘Bad Bitch,’ is the reigning king of the XDA All Motor Bulls, and he’s the main target everyone’s gunning for in this class. Curtis McDougald, steering the ‘Carbonator,’ stepped up to throw down, powering through three intense rounds to go head-to-head with Fondon in the final round.
When the lights went live, Fondon blasted off the line like a beast unleashed, leaving McDougald hustling hard to catch up. But Fondon was all gas, no brakes, hitting the eighth-mile marker in a flash and clinching another win. That’s how the boss does it—running the game and schooling the competition on how a bad bitch gets it done.
Vance & Hines 4.60
Winner – Mac McAdams
Runner-up – Ronald Procopio
In the world of 1/8th-mile index racing, the Vance & Hines 4.60 class is a crowd-puller, boasting forty riders vying for the top position. Precision was the name of the game, with three riders nailing a perfect 4.60 in qualifying. It was Brad Gleason, however, who outpaced his rivals with superior MPH, snatching the coveted number one spot from Lowry Callahan and Joe Procopio Jr.
Reigning champion Ronald Procopio exhibited his usual finesse, skillfully navigating the field and earning his spot in the final showdown. His semi-final conquest over Gleason was a pivotal moment, marking his resolve to retain his championship mantle.
Mac McAdams, longing for the taste of victory since his last XDA 4.60 win at the 2022 MTC Summer Nationals, embarked on a relentless pursuit of glory. His reaction times were a beacon of consistency, dismantling his opponents round after round.
As the Sunday night sky enveloped Maryland International Raceway, the tension was palpable as these two competitors crept into the starting line beams. The launch was near-simultaneous, with McAdams’s .027 reaction time narrowly outpaced by Procopio’s .026. They thundered down the eighth mile in tandem, engines screaming and the crowd erupting in cheers. In a breathtakingly close finish, McAdams broke through the drought, igniting the win light with a 4.606, edging out Procopio’s 4.614, and reclaiming his spot in the winner’s circle.
1 Stop Speed 5.60
Winner – Rico Brown
Runner-up – Brice Cornish Jr.
Jim Mauro and Harvey Hubbard both ran dead on 5.60 in 1 Stop Speed 5.60 qualifying. Mauro received the top spot due to a faster MPH.
On race day two contenders emerged to meet in the final. Brice Cornish Jr. has only entered 1 Stop Speed 5.60 a handful of times over the last few years, but he managed to win five tough rounds of eight-mile competition to see his first final in the class.
Rico Brown is a class staple, but he hasn’t won since the FuelTech Superbike Showdown in 2022. Both Cornish and Brown showed incredible reaction times in their five rounds, slaughtering the competition before meeting in the final.
And while both competitors were hungry for battle, there would be no exciting racing action as Cornish turned on the dreaded red light to hand the win to Brown before the race even started.
Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman
Winner – Jeffery Santin
Runner-up – Dustin Lee
The Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman class is renowned for showcasing some of the quickest elapsed times on the racing circuit. Jordan Haase, a formidable Pro Street racer, made a strong impression by clinching the top qualifying position with a 7.267 on his GSX-R1000, signaling his intent to dominate.
However, the journey through the brackets is fraught with pressure, and even the slightest error can have monumental consequences. Haase faced Jeffrey Santin in a second-round matchup but turned on the red light, a costly mistake that ended his run prematurely and paved Santin’s way to the finals. Santin capitalized on this opportunity, defeating seasoned competitors Jimmie Miller and Gary Clontz to secure his place in the final.
Meanwhile, reigning class champion Dustin Lee displayed relentless ambition, eliminating every challenger en route to the final. The stage was set Sunday night for a high-stakes duel between Santin and Lee aboard their Hayabusa’s. With Santin dialed in at 8.20 and Lee at 7.85, the final was going to require skill and precision.
As the lights went down, both racers launched with identical reaction times, ensuring the battle would be decided at the finish line. They executed strong, clean passes, each determined to clinch victory. In a dramatic twist, both riders broke out, pushing their machines beyond the brink. Lee, however, exceeded his dial-in more significantly, recording a 7.808 against Santin’s 8.163, handing Santin a thrilling and narrow victory.
MPS Racing Pro ET
Winner – Jeffery Santin
Runner-up – Wesley Jones
The Top Sportsman winner always earns a spot back into the fifth round of MPS Racing Pro ET competition for another shot at double-dipping their win and increasing their payday.
Santin took his win momentum and defeated Austin Bridge and Montrell Johnson to put himself in another final round. This time, he would be facing Wesley Jones, who won five rounds of tough bracket racing with incredible reaction times. In the final, Santin dialed 8.17, and Jones dialed 9.61. Jones cut his worst light of the weekend with a .099 to Santin’s better .022. Jones left the starting line first, but Santin caught up to him in a flash and was gaining on him as he crossed the finish line first by six feet to take the win with a 8.272 over Jones’s 9.666 run. Santin now leads points in two classes to start off the 2024 drag racing season.
Brock’s Performance Street ET
Winner – Russell Dennison Jr
Runner-up – Maurice Michie
The Brock’s Performance Street ET class kicked off the season with a formidable field of seventy-eight racers, all vying for an early advantage in the championship race. Among them, Russell Dennison Jr. and Maurice Michie showcased exceptional skill, unwavering consistency, and nerves of steel as they navigated through five intense rounds, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown on Sunday night.
Heading into the final, Dennison dialed in at 8.70, while Michie targeted a 9.25. With Michie launching first with an impressive .088 reaction time, Dennison responded swiftly with a razor-sharp .067 reaction. As Dennison pursued Michie down the track, he steadily closed the distance, ultimately surging past Michie and crossing the finish line with a fourteen-foot lead. Dennison’s victorious run was clocked at 8.718, outpacing Michie’s 9.319.
Dennison, who secured a fourth-place finish last season, now establishes an early triumph that places him in a favorable position for this season’s points chase.
Voodoo Bracket Bash
Winner – Nick Noble
Runner-up – Barry Purnell
The Voodoo Bracket Bash brought an electrifying atmosphere to Saturday’s race. There were 126 entrants, all competing for not only the thrill of victory but also a substantial $3,000 purse. The competition was as fierce as the stakes were high, with each racer eyeing the coveted title.
As the field narrowed through rounds of relentless competition, Nick Noble and Barry Purnell distinguished themselves, expertly navigating through the bracket to meet in the much-anticipated final round. Noble set his dial at 9.32, while Purnell set his to 9.21, promising a close match right from the launch.
The tension built as both riders staged, ready to unleash their machines down the quarter-mile. Noble seized the initial advantage with an .027 reaction time, slightly quicker than Purnell’s still impressive .051. This early lead set the tone for the race, as they blasted side-by-side in the first sixty feet, maintaining their neck-and-neck pace throughout. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the pair thundered down the track, their bikes mere inches apart.
At the stripe, Nick Noble edged out Barry Purnell by a mere three feet, claiming the win in a breakout finish. Noble’s final time of 9.312 narrowly outperformed Purnell’s 9.162, marking a thrilling conclusion to one of the day’s most hotly contested races.
Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s Race
Winner – Robin Procopio
Runner-up – Jimmie Miller
The Friday night Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s race saw its slots fill within just two hours, highlighting its popularity among the bracket racers. The season opener is known for its high stakes and this year was no exception, with sixty-four entries all vying for early weekend win.
A fixture in final rounds, Jimmie Miller found himself once again in a season opener final, this time against Robin Procopio, a seasoned competitor renowned for her consistent performances.
Procopio, aboard her bar bike, dialed in a tight 8.00, while Miller set his Hayabusa to an 8.83. The race was effectively set from the start when Procopio unleashed a near-perfect .008 reaction time, immediately placing Miller at a significant disadvantage with his .081, his slowest start of the night.
As they hurtled towards the finish line, the tension was high. It was an intensely close race, but Procopio clinched the victory by a razor-thin margin of .016 seconds, approximately three and a half feet. She crossed the line with an 8.049 against Miller’s 8.822, demonstrating not just superior reaction at the start but precision in execution throughout the race.
The XDA will return to Virginia Motorsports Park for the 38th annual MTC Engineering Summer Nationals on May 17-19, 2024. There will be over 700 Professional, Sportsman, and Grudge motorcycle racers in competition, battling it out for over $90,000 in cash purses at this event.
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