The PDRA Drag Racing Series Shatters Records in Season Opener
In a jaw-dropping display of speed and power, the PDRA Drag Racing Series kicked off its season with an unprecedented number of participants at the Summit Racing Equipment East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech. The event saw a record-breaking turnout at GALOT Motorsports Park, where professional qualifying started a day earlier than scheduled to accommodate the massive field of racers.
The first qualifying session on Thursday featured fierce competition in six out of the seven professional categories, with more sessions lined up for Friday. Excitement ran high as rookies Tim Paap and Tim Dutton stole the show by clinching the provisional No. 1 spots in the Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous and Liberty’s Gears Pro Street categories, respectively.
Melanie Salemi dominated the WS Construction Pro Boost class, while Chris Powers showcased his skills in the AED Competition Fuel Systems Extreme Pro Stock division. Lexi Tanner and Austin Vincent also made their mark by securing the top positions in the PTC Converters Pro 632 and PDRA Super Street categories.
The sportsman classes were not to be outdone, with Glenn Butcher, Jody Stroud, Steve Furr, and John Platt Jr. impressively claiming the provisional No. 1 spots in their respective categories.
Unpredictable warm weather conditions added an extra layer of challenge to Thursday’s qualifying rounds, particularly for the nitrous-assisted racers in Pro Nitrous. Despite the obstacles, Tim Paap emerged as the standout performer, setting the pace with a blazing 3.696-second pass in his Musi-powered Paap Auto Body ’16 Corvette.
The competition remained fierce across all categories, with seasoned veterans and up-and-coming talents alike pushing the limits of speed and precision. From adrenaline-pumping races to unexpected upsets, the Summit Racing Equipment East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech set the stage for an electrifying season ahead in the PDRA Drag Racing Series.
As the dust settled on the record-breaking season opener, one thing became clear – the 2025 PDRA season is poised to be one of the most thrilling and hotly contested in recent memory. Fans and racers alike can look forward to more heart-stopping action and awe-inspiring performances as the series unfolds.