For as long as the Professional Drag Racers Association [PDRA] has existed, Bob Harris has been the man the ownership looked to in directing their ship through the sometimes treacherous waters of professional eighth-mile doorslammer racing.

Effective Sunday evening, the PDRA will be without the only Race Director it's ever known.

In a statement released Sunday evening, Harris has resigned his position. Track prep specialist Tyler Crossnoe will fill the role in the interim.

Harris said his decision was made with a heavy heart.

"I have spent the last five years working every minute to make PDRA a great family racing association," Harris said. "I think I and others have accomplished that. It’s time for new blood and different ideas. I am 65 years old and for 42 years raced, owned a race track or headed up a racing association."

Simply put, Harris wanted to go racing without the demand of impartiality which accompanies the role of Race Director.

"It’s time to go racing with my son Jason and enjoy my grandkids," Harris continued. "I owe it to them, my wife and myself. I would like to thank the Franklins, the racers, the crews, the families, the media, sponsors, and most of all the employees that work at PDRA. It’s time to move in a different direction and start smelling the roses.

"I wish the PDRA, and it’s family of racers the very best. I plan on being in the pits with the Boone-Harris PN World Champion Team. I hope the person that takes my place does a better job and puts as much love in PDRA as I have.

"Please continue to support PDRA because we need this wonderful place to race."

PDRA owner Tommy Franklin, while appreciative of Harris' contributions, remains optimistic about the series.

“I’m very thankful for what Bob Harris has given to the PDRA for the first five years of existence, and we wish him well and look forward to seeing him along the tour," Frankin said. "We are very excited about PDRA’s future as 2019 is shaping up to be a great season with a lot of positive changes in store to make our show even better than it’s been in the previous years."