PDRA officials announced Monday, July 13, 2026, that industry veteran Mark Beatty has joined forces with the series’ leadership team. This move comes right beyond the halfway point of the 2026 season for the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series, where the next event on schedule is to be held at Bristol Dragway in early August.
Beatty is most recently known from his tenure as brand manager at Red Line Synthetic Oil, the series’ title marketing partner since the 2024 season. Mark also brings years of experience through V. Gaines’ Western Motorsports, Bandimere Speedway and more that has molded his 30+ year career in motorsports. After a recent move that took his family to Nebraska, a love and a fire for motorsports was still alive inside that made this step a different but exciting one.
“I’ve been in this industry for the majority of my adult life,” said Mark Beatty. “Joining the PDRA team confirms the saying: saving the best for last. The PDRA family is made up of people who not only love racing, but they are also dedicated to taking care of partners, racers and fans at every level.”
Beatty’s introduction to the series will come at a rapid pace as the series kickstarts the back half of the 2026 season with a stop at Bristol Dragway, followed by a return to Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC and Virginia Motorsports Park to finish out the championship tour for the season, all in just over seven weeks on the calendar.
“I am excited about this next chapter for the PDRA series,” stated Tyler Crossnoe, series director. “We have made a habit of taking the slow and steady approach to several things over the years and trying to create a sustainable and consistent product that racers and fans can trust and rely on year after year. Adding a motorsports veteran like Mark to the team continues to strengthen the leadership core that will take another step forward to making the PDRA product and experience better for every racer, fan, marketing partner, vendor midway participant, media member, track partner and more.”
Series owner Tommy Franklin added, “We are excited to take this next step in expanding the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series. Mark brings a different perspective that we are looking forward to adding to the mix here and that makes the future even more exciting. Mark is such a genuine person, so it was not a hard decision to bring him on board because he fits right into the family culture that already exists here at the PDRA.”
The remainder of the season for the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series will be one to attend and keep an eye on through Drag Illustrated’s Event Hub and FloRacing’s live streaming platform. The series that began in 2014 as a place for racers to continue racing has consistently grown to a well-respected and trusted series for hundreds of racers across the eastern portion of the United States. Many racers travel thousands of miles to attend each event on the schedule and that type of loyalty and dedication was attractive for not only Beatty’s next move but for the sport in general.
“It is an honor to be joining this team and family. Family is a strong word but that is exactly the feeling you get around this series everywhere you turn. I have worked closely with them for the last four seasons and now I get to stand shoulder to shoulder at the forefront of some of the best drag racing events on the planet today. I’m blessed and excited, what more could a guy ask for,” said Beatty.
This story was originally published on July 13, 2026.
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