Just a few short seasons later , Haney appears to be getting the last laugh . Now known as the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J & A Service , the average number of Pro Mods at a race has nearly quadrupled and the MWDRS has enjoyed steady growth in every measurable way .

They ’ ve added classes and racers – with the possibility of a gigantic addition for 2022 – kept and added sponsors , and built out an eclectic mix

Keith Haney

of track partners .

With a couple months off this summer after a pair of race postponements due to weather , it gave Haney the perfect time to reflect on how far the MWDRS has come , what the future holds and how the 2021 season is shaping up to have a big finish .

To get to this point , Haney and the series first had to attract the interest of racers , tracks and sponsors , and they took a decidedly different approach . It started with making sure the tracks the MWDRS visited would benefit right off the bat from hosting a race .

“ We want the tracks to make money because without them , we don ’ t have a place to race ,” Haney says . “ Co-owning Tulsa ( Raceway Park ),

PHOTOGRAPHS BY COLE ROKOSKY