BENSON, N.C. — Racers in the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series professional, sportsman, and Jr. Dragster categories will have the opportunity to compete for two race wins in one event this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech.
Held at Darana Motorsports Park, April 16-18, the second of seven races on the 2026 PDRA schedule will see the series complete eliminations from its season-opening KTR Drag Racing Carolina Nationals presented by Pee Dee Fleet on Thursday before rolling into Friday qualifying and Saturday eliminations.
The pro classes completed two rounds of eliminations at the Carolina Nationals at Darlington Dragway before numerous delays and cold track temperatures led series officials to postpone the rest of the event to the East Coast Nationals. The two-in-one aspect creates an action-packed schedule for racers and fans attending the race at Darana Motorsports Park, formerly known as GALOT Motorsports Park.
“This is a staple track on the PDRA schedule and it’s not the first time we’ve contested two races in one weekend here,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “This track has a rich history in this area and it’s become one of the nicest eighth-mile dragstrips in the world. It’s going to be a busy weekend, no doubt. Whether fans are sitting in the stands or tuned in on FloRacing, they’re going to see nonstop racing action from the time they tune in on Thursday until event champions are crowned on Saturday night.”
Fans can watch Thursday’s completion of the Carolina Nationals for free on FloRacing 24/7, which is available on Amazon Prime Video, Fubo TV, and YouTube. The FloRacing 24/7 broadcast will begin Thursday at noon ET and will run live through the end of the day. FloRacing subscribers can continue watching the race on Friday and Saturday.
In Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous presented by Jerry Bickel Race Cars, reigning world champion and home track hero Marcus Butner will square off against “Mountain Man” Mike Achenbach on one side of the semifinal ladder. Fredy Scriba, the 2024 world champion, will meet up with three-time world champion and Darlington No. 1 qualifier Tommy Franklin in the other matchup.
The reigning world champion in WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive, Ty Tutterow, is also still in Carolina Nationals competition. He was set to face Lyle Barnett, who’s announced he won’t make it to the East Coast Nationals due to a schedule conflict. After his semifinal bye run, Tutterow take on the winner of the other semifinal match between Johnny Camp and multi-time East Coast Nationals winner Melanie Salemi.
Liberty’s Gears Pro Street presented by KTR Drag Racing No. 1 qualifier Jerry Morgano will take on young gun Blake Denton in a turbo vs. nitrous semifinal match. Retired NFL superstar Fletcher Cox will face another young gun in the class, Joel Wensley Jr., on the other side of the ladder.
Another Darlington low qualifier, J.C. Beattie Jr., remains in competition in PDRA Pro 632 presented by Mark Williams Enterprises. He’ll line up against two-time and reigning world champion Jeff Melnick. The winner of that race will advance to the final round to face Melnick’s teammate, Jeff Pittman, who has a bye to the final.
The two most recent world champions in 1320 Fabrication Super Street presented by Brian’s Heating & Cooling, Connor McGee and Dan Whetstine, could face off in the Carolina Nationals final round. McGee, the reigning world champ, will need to defeat championship challenger Austin Vincent, while Whetstine, the 2024 champ, must take down Darlington No. 1 qualifier Matt Schalow.
There are multiple rounds of racing left to finish in the PDRA’s sportsman ranks: MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Greenbrier Excavating & Paving Elite Top Dragster presented by American Race Cars, MagnaFuel Top Sportsman, and ATI Performance Products Top Dragster presented by TBM Brakes.
The East Coast Nationals will also include Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by Philadelphia Racing Products, giving the area’s bracket racers a stage to compete.
The future stars of the sport will compete in the East Coast Nationals in the PDRA’s Jr. Dragster ranks, Pro Jr. Dragster and Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster.
