running thrill show featuring Top Fuel dragsters , jet cars , nostalgia nitro , and more . The next stop is the aforementioned Bristol race , followed by Drag Wars , October 3-5 , at GALOT . Champions will be crowned October 17-20 at the Brian Olson Memorial World Finals at VMP . |
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In the weeks leading up to the 2024 PDRA season kick-off at GALOT , we ’ re taking a look at some of the championship contenders , heavy hitters , and drivers to watch throughout the season in the headlining Pro Nitrous , Pro Boost , and Extreme Pro Stock categories .
PRO NITROUS
In 2023 , Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous saw two-time world champion Tommy Franklin return to the championship stage after winning four races in six final-round appearances behind the wheel of his Musipowered “ Jungle Rat ” ’ 69 Camaro . He ended Jim Halsey ’ s dominant run of four consecutive world championships , but that only fueled Halsey ’ s fire .
Halsey took delivery of a brand-new ’ 68 Camaro just before the 2023 season started , and rather than rush to get it ready , he focused on fighting for a fifth title with his triedand-true “ Daddy Shark ” ’ 68 Camaro .
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Tuner Brandon Switzer spent the 2023-2024 winter getting the new car , a near-identical replica of the old car , ready for battle this season . Sporting a Fulton 959-cubic-inch engine with all the trick nitrous components from Switzer Dynamics , it ’ s a familiar but fresh weapon for Halsey .
Perennial favorite Jay Cox parked his Butner Construction “ Pumpkin ” ’ 69 Camaro at the end of the 2023 season to spend more time with his family . He ’ ll continue tuning for his teammate , 2023 DI 30 Under 30 honoree Marcus Butner , who picked up his first win in the category at Maryland last season . With a full season under his belt , as well as
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Cox ’ s undivided attention , Butner in his Musi-powered “ Heartbreaker ” ’ 69 Camaro could be the one to get in the middle of Franklin and Halsey ’ s next championship battle . |
Engine builder Billy Albert managed two semifinal finishes to end 2023 , and with “ Tricky ” Rickie Smith calling the shots on his Albert-powered “ El Chapo ” ’ 69 Camaro this season , “ Billy the Kid ” just might break through with a big win .
Pro Nitrous has several other strong contenders to watch , like two-time winner “ Mountain Man ” Mike Achenbach in his Fulton-powered “ Deep Purple ” Camaro , Indiana ’ s Jim Widener in his Bischoff-powered
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Corvette , and Travis “ The Carolina Kid ” Harvey in his Big Dog Shootout championship-winning , Sonny ’ s-powered Corvette . Pennsylvania ’ s John Vergotz is also looking for a breakout season after swapping a Musi powerplant into his “ Dark Knight ” Camaro .
PRO BOOST
After watching the 2023 WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive season unfold , it ’ s fair to say Pro Boost is one of the absolutely most competitive classes in drag racing right now . The record for quickest bump spot in series history was set twice , and a repeat winner wasn ’ t crowned until the fifth race of the
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