Chris Powers of Pennsylvania claimed his second world championship in the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series, winning the 2024 Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock title.
Driving his Chuck Samuel-tuned Sonny’s Racing Engines ’21 Camaro, Powers made three final-round appearances during the season, winning two events. He started strong, progressing through the first two races, then reaching the final at the American Doorslammer Challenge at Summit Motorsports Park and later winning the Northern Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.
Powers secured a semifinal finish at the inaugural Thunder Valley Throwdown before adding another victory at DragWars at GALOT Motorsports Park. He clinched the championship by winning his first-round match at the Brian Olson Memorial World Finals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
“This means a lot to us,” Powers said, reflecting on his success after finishing second last year. “We’ve been working really hard. Last year didn’t work out. This year, we just knew we had to do a better job… We had a really good car here at the World Finals.”
Having competed in Extreme Pro Stock since 2017, Powers made notable progress as a driver this season. He took the points lead from rival Johnny Pluchino, a two-time world champion who started the season with two victories.
“I just had to settle down a little bit and just relax,” Powers explained. “It just took off from there. The more rounds we won, the easier it seemed to get for me driving the car.”
Powers and his family-based team have established a reputation for consistency in the PDRA, competing against both veterans and newcomers in Mountain Motor Pro Stock.
“Chuck Samuel and Rob Bealko did a hell of a job on the race car the entire season,” Powers said. “Thanks to my wife and my kids for everything they do, as well as Sonny’s and ATI Performance Products for all their support.”
Pluchino finished second in the standings, driving his Kaase-powered Feather-Lite Batteries ’13 Mustang, with three victories and two No. 1 qualifier awards. Jeremy Huffman, a relative newcomer, had a standout season, reaching two final rounds and finishing third in the championship standings with his 3V Performance-powered Patriot Axe Throwing ’10 Cobalt.
The Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series will recognize its 2024 champions at the annual PDRA Championship Awards Banquet.
