Special Section
DOWN BUT NOT OUT
PDRA HATCHES PLAN TO RETURN TO RACING AFTER CORONAVIRUS SETBACKS
BY NATE VAN WAGNEN | PHOTOGRAPHS BY TARA BOWKER
As states begin to loosen restrictions set
in place to control the spread of COVID-
19, the Professional Drag Racers Association
(PDRA) is preparing to start its 2020
season, nearly two months later than
planned. The PDRA East Coast Nationals presented
by FuelTech is now set to take place May
29-30 at GALOT Motorsports Park in Benson,
North Carolina.
“We are extremely excited to finally get back
racing, and to do it at GALOT Motorsports Park,
the original season opener, is important and
great as well,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director,
PDRA. “The team at GMP has been great to
work with, along with the local authorities who
have helped daily.”
Crossnoe revealed the new date for the PDRA
season opener during a Facebook Live stream on
the PDRA Racing Facebook page on Friday, May
8. In the announcement, Crossnoe also explained
that spectators won’t be able to attend the East
Coast Nationals. It’s not the desired outcome for
the series, but they’re willing to accept the compromise
in order to start racing again.
“There will be a number of changes due to racing
without spectators, with all the COVID restrictions
and more,” Crossnoe said, “but the greatest news
on a rainy Friday in Virginia is that we are going
to smell racing fuel and hear the rumble of racing
engines very soon as the PDRA comes to life
sooner rather than later in 2020.”
Spectators wishing to watch the East Coast Nationals
will be able to tune in to the official event
live stream on SpeedVideo.com.
The East Coast Nationals will begin with
parking on Tuesday, May 26. Wednesday and
Thursday are set aside for testing. Competition
will begin Friday, with three pro class qualifying
sessions on Friday, followed by eliminations
on Saturday. Sunday is available for a rain date
if needed.
The PDRA’s full lineup of classes will kick off the
season at the East Coast Nationals.
The professional classes include Penske Racing
Shocks/Precision Racing Suspension Pro Boost
presented by WS Construction, Switzer Dynamics
Pro Nitrous, Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock,
$hameless Racing Pro Outlaw 632 and Drag 965
Pro Nitrous Motorcycle. Classic Graphix will again
present the Pro Mod Challenge for non-qualifiers
in Pro Boost and Pro Nitrous.
Drag 965 Pro Street, the series’ new small-tire
class, is also schedule to make its debut at the
East Coast Nationals.
The ultra-competitive sportsman classes are MagnaFuel
Elite Top Sportsman presented by Tejas
Borja, MagnaFuel Top Sportsman, Lucas Oil Elite
Top Dragster and Top Dragster. The PDRA’s rising
stars will compete in Coolshirt Pro Jr. Dragster
and Gilbert Motorsports Top Jr. Dragster. Edelbrock
Bracket Bash will also be contested.
Crossnoe and PDRA officials are working with the
series track partners to develop a complete,
revised schedule for the 2020 season as local and
state guidelines allow racing activities.
Further updates on the 2020 PDRA schedule can
be found at Facebook.com/pdraracing and
PDRA660.com.
46 PDRA660.com