Drag racing’s unsanctioned doorslammer marks plunged after a day of testing at Bradenton Motorsports Park ahead of the U.S. Street Nationals.
“Turbo” Todd Moyer kicked off the momentous day with a quarter-mile shot, running a 5.144 elapsed time at 273.44. The previous mark was held by Jose Gonzalez, behind the wheel of Mark Micke’s Camaro, as he posted a 5.359, 272.94 pass ahead of the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, also at Bradenton.
Not to be overshadowed, Jason Scruggs ran a 3.460 elapsed time inn his new Jerry Bickel Outlaw car.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 – The Outlaw Pro Mod, Pro 275, X275, Limited Drag Radial, and various other outlaw drag racing classes are set to return to Bradenton Motorsports Park this weekend, Jan. 25-28, for the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission. This event marks the first major Outlaw Pro Mod race of 2024 and serves as the season opener for the FuelTech Radial Outlaws Racing Series, offering substantial payouts across different categories.
Track owner and promoter Victor Alvarez expressed anticipation for the event.
“It’s always exciting to get everyone back to Bradenton to kick off the season at the U.S. Street Nationals,” Alvarez said. “Many of these teams were just here a couple of months ago for the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, but they’ve had time to get things refreshed for the 2024 season. You’ll see new cars, new engine combinations, and new parts getting put through the paces this weekend. Fans of Pro Mod, radial racing, and more are in for a show.”
The PJS Racing Outlaw Pro Mod presented by FuelTech boasts an entry list featuring 48 drivers vying to qualify for the $32,000-to-win, 32-car field. Notable drivers include defending event champion Ken Quartuccio, as well as three of the four semifinalists from December’s Snowbird Outlaw Nationals: Scott Lang, Lyle Barnett, and Mark Micke. These competitors will compete in qualifying to determine the recipient of the Snowbirds trophy. The list also includes standouts from various Pro Mod groups, including PDRA Pro Nitrous and Pro Boost, Mid-West Drag Racing Series Pro Mod, Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod, NMCA Xtreme Pro Mod, and NHRA Pro Mod.
Alvarez highlighted the significance of Bradenton as a Pro Mod hotspot.
“It’s always been one of my goals to make Bradenton a Pro Mod hotspot,” Alvarez said. “We’re always trying to raise the bar for our racers, and in turn, the racers have supported us in a big way. Entries typically sell out minutes after they go on sale. A lot of the Pro Mod teams test here over the winter. They know what it takes to run fast here, making for tight fields in qualifying and side-by-side racing on race day.”
The U.S. Street Nationals marks the start of the 2024 FuelTech Radial Outlaws Racing Series schedule. While Radial vs. the World won’t compete this weekend, PST Driveshafts Pro 275 presented by Pro Line Racing promises big horsepower on small tires for a $15,000 prize. The radial lineup also features $10,000-to-win Mickey Thompson Tires X275 presented by Precision Turbo & Engine, $7,500-to-win Energy Manufacturing Limited Drag Radial presented by Callies Performance, $5,000-to-win TRZ Motorsports Ultra Street presented by Motion Raceworks, and SP Tools Limited 235 presented by ICE Ignition ($2,500 to win).
In addition to Outlaw Pro Mod and the Radial Outlaws, the U.S. Street Nationals will host Summit Racing Outlaw 632 presented by Rife Sensors, competing for $7,500 to win. Other events include the Florida N/T No Time Shootout presented by TBM Brakes, the Larry Jeffers Race Cars No Time Truck Shootout, and the KC Photography index classes (5.50, 6.50, 7.50 Index).
Alvarez emphasized the diverse offerings of the U.S. Street Nationals.
“The U.S. Street Nationals has something for everybody — the fastest Pro Mods, the fastest radial cars, some of the best vendors in the industry, and more,” Alvarez explained. “It’s going to be an amazing weekend.”
Bradenton Motorsports Park will hold testing Monday through Thursday leading up to the U.S. Street Nationals, with qualifying beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday. A second session at 3 p.m. will conclude Friday qualifying. Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions scheduled for 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., while eliminations are set for Sunday at 9 a.m.
