Tommy Franklin

The Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) brings its one-of-a-kind drag racing to Rockingham Dragway April 7-9 for the Spring Nationals. The baddest doorslammers on the planet will battle it out, going from 0 to 230 MPH in just 660 feet and less than 4 seconds. Blown, nitrous-oxide assisted, naturally aspirated and turbo cars will all take on the legendary eighth-mile to see who will be crowned kings -or queens- of “The Rock.” “The Blazing Angel” and “The Beast” Jet Cars will be going head to head in a unique jet car match race. The PDRA is also thrilled to feature Danny O’Day’s ATI Wheel Stander, the world’s quickest wheel stander. Rockingham Dragway has a longstanding history of professional eighth-mile racing, often providing a massive turnout and record breaking runs. In NAS Racing Pro Extreme local legends Todd Tutterow and Terry Leggett will hope to dominate the quickest and fastest class of the PDRA. The 2014 and 2015 Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous presented by MoTeC Systems Champions Jason Harris and Rickie Smith, along with rising favorites Jay Cox and Travis Harvey, all North Carolina boys, will fight to keep the trophy close to home. But if Mooresville native Lizzy Musi has anything to say, it’ll be a lady taking home the honors. The action will heat up first in qualifying with the Flatout Gaskets Nitrous Wars where top dog in qualifying will take home the coveted Nitrous Wars trophy. In GALOT Motorsports Park Pro Boost GALOT Motorsports driver Kevin Rivenbark is on a mission to grab the number one this year, barely missing last year’s Pro Boost Championship. Fellow local hero Jeremy Ray, along with a host of others, will be making that a difficult feat for Rivenbark. “The Rock” is home to some of the most daring motorcycle racers in the country. Watch Drag965 Pro Extreme Motorcycle riders at speeds over 175 MPH, covering the eighth-mile in just over 4 seconds on two wheels. Returning this year - Extreme Pro Stock! The quickest naturally aspirated machines in drag racing will return to The Rock this year. After a year's absence from PDRA completion, records are ready to be smashed! The bad boys of Pro Extreme, the fire breathing Pro Nitrous machines, the side by side thrill of Pro Boost, the “Mountain Motors” of Extreme Pro Stock, and the wild rides of Pro Extreme Motorcycle will excite fans with ground-shaking horsepower and mind-blowing performance. The semi-pro classes of MagnaFuel Top Sportsman and Lucas Oil Products Top Dragster will also be on show for the weekend, as well as the young guns of MegaCorp Pro and Talbert Top Junior Dragster. New this year, the PDRA offers a Bracket Bash to local competitors. There’s $3000 on the line for all competitors running 4.99 or quicker in this event. Andy McCoy Race Cars will present “Ask the Pros” segment, beginning at the Spring Nationals. Andy McCoy will offer an expert look at anything from chassis function to turbo performance. McCoy will choose one fan question to answer on the Live Feed. Fans can submit questions directly through a button available on the PDRA home page or by posting on the Official PDRA Facebook Page and members of the champion Pro Boost Pee Dee Fleet team including Russell Miller, Mike Kopchick and more will answer questions in-depth from the pits for the ultimate fan interaction. “Rockingham is where the boys and men will be separated! This will be one for the record books. Rockingham has always been known for being a fast track. Don't miss it,” PN competitor Jay Cox said with excitement. Military who present their ID will get in free to all nine PDRA events in 2016. In recognition of their service local military bases are invited as special guests at the PDRA Spring Nationals. The PDRA is committed to giving back and expressing appreciation to servicemen and women. Open testing held on Thursday, April 7. Qualifying begins Friday. One final qualifying session will be held Saturday morning with eliminations to follow. Thursday tickets are just $10. Discount tickets for Friday and Saturday are available at www.pdra660.com. Kids 12 and under and military with a valid ID are free. ABOUT THE PDRA Based in Pittsboro, North Carolina, the Professional Drag Racers Association is the top sanctioning body in the United States for the sport of eighth-mile drag racing. The PDRA’s professional categories include Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Pro Boost, and Pro Extreme Motorcycle along with Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Pro Jr. Dragster, and Top Jr. Dragster. The 2016 PDRA schedule consists of nine national events. For more on the world’s premier eighth mile drag racing organization visit www.pdra660.com. Follow the PDRA: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube.