Now two races into the seven-race 2026 Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series season, serious contenders are emerging as the series returns to Virginia Motorsports Park this weekend for the Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Classic Graphix, May 21-23. It’s still early in the world championship battles, but racers across the PDRA’s professional, sportsman, and Jr. Dragster categories are fighting for all the points they can get to contend for a season title. VMP, located in the history-rich area just outside Richmond, is the next battlefield in that fight.
“Virginia Motorsports Park has been a part of the PDRA since the beginning,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “We called this track home for several years and it’s always great to come back. From the pro ranks to the Jr. Dragster classes, a lot of our racers call Virginia and the surrounding area home as well. They grew up racing here or they race here on a weekly basis. The local fans always know when we’re coming to town, too, so we’re excited to put on a show for them. We’re going to deal with some weather, no doubt, but our team is prepared to do what it takes to keep things rolling.”
For the second consecutive race on the PDRA tour, FloRacing will offer a free livestream through its FloRacing 24/7 channel. For Friday qualifying only, fans can stream for free on FloRacing 24/7 through Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Fubo, and other free video platforms. Saturday eliminations will also be available for FloRacing subscribers.
Three-time world champion Tommy Franklin is back on top as the points leader in Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous presented by Jerry Bickel Race Cars driving his Musi-powered “Jungle Rat 3.0” ’69 Camaro. He qualified No. 1 at the season opener and raced to victory at the last stop on tour, the Summit Racing Equipment East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech at Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC. “Mountain Man” Mike Achenbach, who won the season opener in his return to Pro Nitrous, sits second in his Fulton-powered ’20 Camaro. Defending world champion Marcus Butner is third in his Musi-powered “Heartbreaker” ’69 Camaro with a semifinal finish at the season opener and a No. 1 qualifier award at the last race.
There’s a new E.T. record holder in WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive since the class last raced at Virginia, as Johnny Camp set a new record at the season opener and proceeded to win the event as well. With a semifinal finish in his ProCharger-boosted “Hells Bells” ’69 Camaro at Benson, he’s also the points leader going into Virginia. Two-time Pro Boost world champion Jason Harris, who won at Benson in his Harts Charger-boosted “Party Time” ’69 Camaro, is second in points. Melanie Salemi sits just a few points behind Harris in third with a No. 1 qualifier award and runner-up finish at the last race in her screw-blown Al-Lee Installations “Purple Reign” ’68 Firebird.
Blake Denton, the 2023 Super Street world champion, is pursuing a second PDRA title, this time in Liberty’s Gears Pro Street presented by KTR Drag Racing. Behind the wheel of the nitrous-fed “Bonnie” ’69 Camaro previously driven by the late Lizzy Musi, he won the most recent event and went to the semis at the season opener to enter Virginia as the points leader. Jerry Morgano, who qualified No. 1 and reached the final round at the season opener in his turbocharged, small-block “Copperhead” ’02 Mustang, is second in the standings. Virginia’s own Ron Green is third chasing his first win of the season in his screw-blown “Gamechanger” ’00 Firebird.
J.C. Beattie Jr. is running away with the points lead in Pro 632 presented by Mark Williams Enterprises, where he won both races, qualified No. 1 at the season opener, and qualified No. 2 at the second race in his Reher-Morrison-powered ATI Performance Products ’18 Camaro. Former Top Sportsman standout Jeff Pittman, now in his second year in the class, earned his first career No. 1 qualifier award at the last race driving his Barry Allen-powered Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales ’68 Chevelle and was runner-up at the season opener to sit second in points. Newcomer David Cook Jr. is third in his Nelson-powered Copy&PrintWarehouse.com ’10 GTO with a runner-up finish at Benson.
Defending 1320 Fabrication Super Street presented by Brian’s Heating & Cooling world champion Connor McGee picked up where he left off, as he’s the points leader once again two races into the season. The driver of the Fulton-powered Brian’s Heating & Cooling ’90 Mustang won the season opener and qualified No. 1 and raced to the final round at Benson. His championship challenger last season, Austin Vincent, is chasing him again as the No. 2 driver in points. Vincent in his nitrous-fed Vincent Performance ’88 Mustang won the last race in Benson. Dan Whetstine, the 2024 world champion, is third in his ProCharged “Red Velvet” ’91 Mustang with a runner-up finish at the season opener.
The points leaders in the sportsman classes going into Virginia are Scott Duggins in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Josh Duggins in Greenbrier Excavating & Paving Elite Top Dragster presented by American Race Cars, Joe Roubicek in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman, and Steven Boone in ATI Performance Products Top Dragster presented by TBM Brakes.
Local bracket racers will also get the chance to race at the Mid-Atlantic Showdown in Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by Philadelphia Racing Products.
In the PDRA’s Jr. Dragster ranks, the points leaders are Katelyn Page in Pro Jr. Dragster and Carter Hayes in Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster.
Due to rain in the forecast, PDRA officials have adjusted the typical event schedule for the Mid-Atlantic Showdown. After a pair of test sessions on Thursday morning, qualifying for all classes will begin at 3 p.m. starting with Top Sportsman and Top Dragster, rolling into the pros, and ending with the Jr. Dragster classes. Two more qualifying sessions are set for Friday. Saturday eliminations are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. with pros on-track around noon. The schedule is subject to change. For a detailed schedule and updates, visit www.Facebook.com/PDRARacing.
Tickets are available for $20 on Thursday, $25 on Friday, and $30 on Saturday. Discounted Junior and Kids tickets are also available, while kids 5 and under get in free. Purchase tickets at www.PDRA660.com or at the gate.
PDRA fans around the world can catch all the action live on the official event live stream through www.FloRacing.com.
The post PDRA Season Carries On With Mid-Atlantic Showdown at Virginia Motorsports Park first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
