WSOPM 2023

on the flyer .”

“ As a fan , I ’ ve always felt Pro Mod deserves to race on a big stage for big money and to be the show ,” added Alvarez , who became an instant Pro Mod fan when he first saw them race in 2015 . “ It ’ s a way to tip our hat to the Pro Mod class and show how much we care about it , how much we enjoy it , and how passionate we feel about it . But also , we know that big payout will bring an amazing race . It ’ s going to be historic . It ’ s going to be the beginning of something we ’ ll hopefully do for years to come .”

Like the first WSOPM in 2017 , the 2023 edition will feature an invitation-only field of standouts from across the numerous different series and sanctioning bodies that offer Pro Mod or Pro Mod-style classes .

“ We ’ re looking for the biggest names , biggest personalities and the baddest doorslammers on the planet ,” Buck said . “ The men and women that will be invited to participate in WSOPM , perhaps most importantly , will be racers that share our vision for this event and Pro Modified drag racing in general . They ’ re willing participants who are eager and excited to blaze a new trail , step outside the norm and do something different . Drag racing is full of traditions , and WSOPM is the newest one .”

Buck has already started extending invitations to drivers , which will start being announced in the coming weeks .

Unlike the past events Drag Illustrated has promoted , the 2023 WSOPM will utilize an outlaw eighth-mile format . The rules package will resemble the rules already in place for BMP ’ s existing Pro Mod events , so drivers from NHRA Pro Mod , PDRA Pro Nitrous and Pro Boost , NMCA Xtreme Pro Mod , MWDRS Pro Mod , NEOPMA , and beyond can compete together on a level playing field .

“ It ’ s no secret that the large majority of Pro Mod racers , not only here in America , but around the

world , have gravitated towards outlaw eighthmile competition ,” Buck said . “ First and foremost , we recognize the safety implications . But beyond that , we recognize that this is a racer-friendly format . We love quarter-mile drag racing and we are certainly appreciative of the opportunities that exist for racers to compete over that distance , but when we look at what serves the largest group of people , what allows us to include the most diverse and competitive group of drivers is without question the eighth-mile format .” DI

42 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 179