Not being privy to the numbers, I cannot say if there were more or less attendees. I know the car counts were off some; some due to work commitments, chassis builder delays, and some just not ready to test. Neither factor made this any less of an event.
For PRO, their approach has always been a fly-under-the-radar mentaility. In fact, there was a time when their annual grouped test session was an event with limited promotion outside of the media allowed to cover.
The atmosphere was totally different this year for several reasons. There was no longer a perceived battle between the racers and the NHRA. In fact, NHRA officials were present and involved in the event, whether it was the Safety Safari helping to provide on-track support or NHRA assisting in technical inspection. It was two significant entities working together for the betterment of drag racing and its fans.
PRO proved its point last season and did it really well. The event, from start to finish, didn’t put out the vibe this was the start of a competing series. It was racers working in harmony, once again, to prepare for a long season of racing NHRA events.
Were there shortcomings from the first event? Yes, there were. However, I noticed that the PRO and Bradenton Motorsports Park teams had addressed them for the second go-round.
The first area of improvement was more food vendors and an apparent increase in restroom options. The entrance and exit procedures flowed much better, whether by design or coincidence. Race fans can do without some creature comforts as long as the racing is good and the presentation keeps them entertained.
Last year, I acknowledged this event was among the top five events I attended in my 46 drag racing years. And, in full disclosure, yes, PRO made it very easy for my team to come in and cover this event. But those who know me in this business understand I take my role as drag racing’s elder scribe religiously for the sport’s good.
So, I will present the words of a faithful CompetitionPlus.com reader as confirmation.
Michael Ostrofsky wrote, “Bobby, I remember you saying Bradenton being one of the best drag races you’ve even been to. That convinced me to go.
“Wow, what a throw back. Walked through the gate on Friday right into the staging lanes with a bunch of fuel cars waiting to go. Saw everything up close just like my first drag race at Rockingham in 1970. The racing was awesome as well.
“This is now an annual event for me. Thank you so much!”
BOBBY BENNETT: THE PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT SHOULD NOW BE A DRAG RACING FAN TRADITION
“In this world where you are only as good as your last one, the next one will be even more crucial. Race fans will extend grace more times than not when they see the well-intended effort and deny it when they are taken for granted.”
Those were my words delivered on February 13, 2024, regarding the inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
As I see it, PRO delivered another homerun performance.
Most of my analogies are baseball-related because if I hadn’t ended up in drag racing, I’d likely have been on the baseball diamond.
As such, I will never forget my first homer that cleared the centerfield fence in June 1979, nor will I forget my second, which transpired five days later. The second homerun was more impressive than my first, but it will always be overshadowed emotionally by the original for obvious reasons.
The second PRO Superstar Shootout was not better than the first, but neither was it any worse. It was just different.
There were no promotions pointing out incredible payouts meant to downplay what the competitors typically compete for.
There wasn’t the same level of daily press releases or social media posts proclaiming if you weren’t there, you’d miss out on the best drag racing the world had to offer.
There was moderate promotion of a drag racing event with everything drag racing on a big stage could deliver and had delivered the year before. Last year’s event delivered not because of hype. It delivered with a show of noise, smoke, entertainment, and big numbers with competition as a secondary focus.
This should not be construed as a dig at anyone.
Not being privy to the numbers, I cannot say if there were more or less attendees. I know the car counts were off some; some due to work commitments, chassis builder delays, and some just not ready to test. Neither factor made this any less of an event.
For PRO, their approach has always been a fly-under-the-radar mentaility. In fact, there was a time when their annual grouped test session was an event with limited promotion outside of the media allowed to cover.
The atmosphere was totally different this year for several reasons. There was no longer a perceived battle between the racers and the NHRA. In fact, NHRA officials were present and involved in the event, whether it was the Safety Safari helping to provide on-track support or NHRA assisting in technical inspection. It was two significant entities working together for the betterment of drag racing and its fans.
PRO proved its point last season and did it really well. The event, from start to finish, didn’t put out the vibe this was the start of a competing series. It was racers working in harmony, once again, to prepare for a long season of racing NHRA events.
Were there shortcomings from the first event? Yes, there were. However, I noticed that the PRO and Bradenton Motorsports Park teams had addressed them for the second go-round.
The first area of improvement was more food vendors and an apparent increase in restroom options. The entrance and exit procedures flowed much better, whether by design or coincidence. Race fans can do without some creature comforts as long as the racing is good and the presentation keeps them entertained.
Last year, I acknowledged this event was among the top five events I attended in my 46 drag racing years. And, in full disclosure, yes, PRO made it very easy for my team to come in and cover this event. But those who know me in this business understand I take my role as drag racing’s elder scribe religiously for the sport’s good.
So, I will present the words of a faithful CompetitionPlus.com reader as confirmation.
Michael Ostrofsky wrote, “Bobby, I remember you saying Bradenton being one of the best drag races you’ve even been to. That convinced me to go.
“Wow, what a throw back. Walked through the gate on Friday right into the staging lanes with a bunch of fuel cars waiting to go. Saw everything up close just like my first drag race at Rockingham in 1970. The racing was awesome as well.
“This is now an annual event for me. Thank you so much!”
Hearing it from me is one thing. Hearing it from a drag racing fan ought to be another.
I never received a single negative correspondence regarding the event.
This year’s ebb and flow of drag racing fans from the grandstands was fascinating to watch because, in 2024, there was none. Fans horded their seats for fear of losing them. When you cannot keep your seats for fear of losing them, it makes for a lesser fan experience.
This time, fans could go and enjoy a stroll in the pits and return to the stands to watch great drag racing, whether it was professional or sportsman… or even the Factory Ford electric drag racing car making exhibition laps.
Bradenton has established itself as a prime spot for major league drag racing, whether it’s the PRO Superstar Shootout or the DI Winter Series, and as long as they keep delivering, race fans will keep coming.
And, us, we’ll keep covering it all.
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BOBBY BENNETT: THE PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT SHOULD NOW BE A DRAG RACING FAN TRADITION
“In this world where you are only as good as your last one, the next one will be even more crucial. Race fans will extend grace more times than not when they see the well-intended effort and deny it when they are taken for granted.”
Those were my words delivered on February 13, 2024, regarding the inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
As I see it, PRO delivered another homerun performance.
Most of my analogies are baseball-related because if I hadn’t ended up in drag racing, I’d likely have been on the baseball diamond.
As such, I will never forget my first homer that cleared the centerfield fence in June 1979, nor will I forget my second, which transpired five days later. The second homerun was more impressive than my first, but it will always be overshadowed emotionally by the original for obvious reasons.
The second PRO Superstar Shootout was not better than the first, but neither was it any worse. It was just different.
There were no promotions pointing out incredible payouts meant to downplay what the competitors typically compete for.
There wasn’t the same level of daily press releases or social media posts proclaiming if you weren’t there, you’d miss out on the best drag racing the world had to offer.
There was moderate promotion of a drag racing event with everything drag racing on a big stage could deliver and had delivered the year before. Last year’s event delivered not because of hype. It delivered with a show of noise, smoke, entertainment, and big numbers with competition as a secondary focus.
This should not be construed as a dig at anyone.
Not being privy to the numbers, I cannot say if there were more or less attendees. I know the car counts were off some; some due to work commitments, chassis builder delays, and some just not ready to test. Neither factor made this any less of an event.
For PRO, their approach has always been a fly-under-the-radar mentaility. In fact, there was a time when their annual grouped test session was an event with limited promotion outside of the media allowed to cover.
The atmosphere was totally different this year for several reasons. There was no longer a perceived battle between the racers and the NHRA. In fact, NHRA officials were present and involved in the event, whether it was the Safety Safari helping to provide on-track support or NHRA assisting in technical inspection. It was two significant entities working together for the betterment of drag racing and its fans.
PRO proved its point last season and did it really well. The event, from start to finish, didn’t put out the vibe this was the start of a competing series. It was racers working in harmony, once again, to prepare for a long season of racing NHRA events.
Were there shortcomings from the first event? Yes, there were. However, I noticed that the PRO and Bradenton Motorsports Park teams had addressed them for the second go-round.
The first area of improvement was more food vendors and an apparent increase in restroom options. The entrance and exit procedures flowed much better, whether by design or coincidence. Race fans can do without some creature comforts as long as the racing is good and the presentation keeps them entertained.
Last year, I acknowledged this event was among the top five events I attended in my 46 drag racing years. And, in full disclosure, yes, PRO made it very easy for my team to come in and cover this event. But those who know me in this business understand I take my role as drag racing’s elder scribe religiously for the sport’s good.
So, I will present the words of a faithful CompetitionPlus.com reader as confirmation.
Michael Ostrofsky wrote, “Bobby, I remember you saying Bradenton being one of the best drag races you’ve even been to. That convinced me to go.
“Wow, what a throw back. Walked through the gate on Friday right into the staging lanes with a bunch of fuel cars waiting to go. Saw everything up close just like my first drag race at Rockingham in 1970. The racing was awesome as well.
“This is now an annual event for me. Thank you so much!”
Hearing it from me is one thing. Hearing it from a drag racing fan ought to be another.
I never received a single negative correspondence regarding the event.
This year’s ebb and flow of drag racing fans from the grandstands was fascinating to watch because, in 2024, there was none. Fans horded their seats for fear of losing them. When you cannot keep your seats for fear of losing them, it makes for a lesser fan experience.
This time, fans could go and enjoy a stroll in the pits and return to the stands to watch great drag racing, whether it was professional or sportsman… or even the Factory Ford electric drag racing car making exhibition laps.
Bradenton has established itself as a prime spot for major league drag racing, whether it’s the PRO Superstar Shootout or the DI Winter Series, and as long as they keep delivering, race fans will keep coming.
And, us, we’ll keep covering it all.
John Doe
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BOBBY BENNETT: THE PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT SHOULD NOW BE A DRAG RACING FAN TRADITION
“In this world where you are only as good as your last one, the next one will be even more crucial. Race fans will extend