When the sun sets over Steele, Alabama, this weekend, Alabama International Dragway will light up with one of the South’s biggest drag racing spectacles: the DragCoverage Night of Fire, set for August 22-23. Anchored by a massive Pro Mod program expected to draw between 25 and 30 cars, the event has grown into what promoter TJ Pruitt proudly calls “one of the Mecca events of the South.”
For fans, it’s a rare chance to see outlaw-style Pro Mods storm the eighth-mile alongside grassroots heroes and local favorites, all in front of a full grandstand. For racers, it’s a chance to compete on a stage that has become larger than anyone imagined when the event was first conceived.
“We’re amazed at how huge this event has become,” said Pruitt, founder of DragCoverage.com and the man behind Night of Fire. “We are expecting over 30 Pro Mods, and we’re steadily getting calls every day. Some big names in the sport are coming. That’s just a great feeling, and I can’t thank Jason Collins, Denise Collins, and the entire crew at Alabama International Dragway enough for teaming up with me to bring one of the biggest drag racing events in the South.”
Pro Mods Front and Center
Headlining the two-day show are Pro Mods – a slew of three-second players are already locked in. Qualifying takes place Friday night, August 22, with eliminations set for Saturday. Fans can expect big names and fresh faces alike, with a lineup that promises to stretch the pits.
“In case you missed it, we’ve already released some of the Pro Mod drivers coming, and we aren’t done,” Pruitt added. “We’re expecting between 25 and 30 Pro Mods. I can’t wait to see this.”
Pro Mods may grab the spotlight, but they’re far from the only draw. Pruitt anticipates between 250 and 300 race cars total, covering everything from grassroots bracket racers to heads-up categories, a balance he feels is critical to the event’s identity.
“I’m super excited for Night of Fire and even more excited to see the amount of attention the grassroots racers are getting,” Pruitt said. “That’s always been important to me – to make sure those racers are celebrated, too.”
Building a Southern Mecca
Pruitt, who launched DragCoverage.com nearly two decades ago, has built Night of Fire around a simple principle: treat every racer and fan like they’re the most important person in the world. That philosophy, combined with the scale of the on-track show, has elevated the event into one of the must-attend races on the Southern calendar.
“One thing Wes [Buck] and I talked about on The Wes Buck Show in 2024 was to promote this as the biggest and baddest show in the nation,” Pruitt said. “And that’s what we do. Make every racer and fan that rolls through the gate feel they are the most important person on the planet while racing in front of a full grandstand. That’s what separates this event.”
The response has been overwhelming. Pruitt expects over 5,000 fans in the stands across the weekend – a crowd level that rivals national touring events and demonstrates the strength of grassroots drag racing in the South.
“It’s just a great feeling,” he said. “When you look up at the stands and see that many people, and when you hear from the racers how much they appreciate being part of something this big, that’s what it’s all about.”
More Than Just a Race
Night of Fire is supported by a dedicated group of partners and sponsors who help make the event possible. Laris Motorsports Insurance, Americans Rigging and Mechanical Services, and SpeAxisL are all lending support, with special thanks from Pruitt going to John Sullivan, Charles Smith, and Hank Stubbs.
Spectator tickets are priced to keep the event accessible. Friday and Saturday admission is $25 each day, with kids 10 and under admitted free. Camping and family-friendly amenities make it easy for fans to make a full weekend of it.
“Drag racing in the South is about more than just the cars – it’s about family, community, and pride,” Pruitt said. “That’s what Night of Fire is built on. When fans leave, I want them to feel like they’ve been part of something special. And when racers leave, I want them to already be planning their return.”
Event Details
- Event: DragCoverage Night of Fire
- When: Friday, August 22 (Qualifying) & Saturday, August 23 (Main Event)
- Where: Alabama International Dragway, 1245 Crump Rd, Steele, AL
- Spectators: Kids 10 & under free. $25 admission Friday / $25 Saturday.
- More info: www.DragCoverage.com
As anticipation builds, Pruitt reflects on the journey from launching DragCoverage.com to hosting one of the Southeast’s marquee drag racing events. “We’ve worked hard to grow this into something special,” he said. “And we’re not slowing down. Night of Fire is going to be bigger and better every year.”
This story was originally published on August 21, 2025. 
The post Pro Mods, Grassroots Racers and Packed Grandstands: DragCoverage Night of Fire Returns to Alabama International Dragway first appeared on Drag Illustrated.