The Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM) will once again break new ground by adding a thrilling 16-car Jr. Dragster Shootout to its high-octane festivities. Taking place under the lights on Thursday night during the traditional WSOPM Racer & Crew Welcome Party presented by Strange Engineering, the shootout will feature many of the top young competitors from a variety of drag racing sanctions and series.
Organizers have scheduled the Jr. Dragster Shootout within a tight window on Thursday evening to ensure the young racers take center stage. With Pro Mod qualifying wrapped up for the day, the pro teams and crews will have the chance to turn their attention to these emerging talents, cheering them on from the sidelines. Elimination round pairings will be determined by random chip draw, adding an extra dash of excitement all the way until two drivers remain.
“We need to promote our young drivers,” said Darin Beaner, team owner of Victoria Beaner Racing. “NASCAR does a great job through their feeder programs, and the professional side of drag racing needs to embrace these young stars of tomorrow. What better way to showcase their talent than at WSOPM? The Pro Jr. class in PDRA and MWDRS is incredibly competitive – often separated by just two-hundredths of a second – so simply qualifying is a big win. Being the last one standing at the end of the night is an even bigger accomplishment for the driver and crew chief. We’re excited to bring these young stars into the fold at the hottest drag race in the world today.”
For Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial Director Wes Buck, this new addition to the WSOPM schedule is all about keeping his promise to grow the sport by investing in its future.
“This is about practicing what I preach,” Buck said. “I’m so proud of these young men and women chasing their drag racing dreams behind the wheel of a Jr. Dragster, and I want them to know how much I appreciate their efforts – along with the efforts of their parents and supporters. Our Thursday night welcome parties have become legendary, and the on-track action these kids will bring is only going to amp it up. With our pro qualifying done for the night, these juniors will have the undivided attention of fans, teams, and crews – making this a really special moment for everyone involved.”
The shootout will be coordinated by Beaner and longtime Bradenton Motorsports Park track manager Wade Rich, ensuring a smooth program that showcases the skill and showmanship these young racers bring to the table.
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