Dan Whetstine has secured the 2024 Afco Racing Super Street world championship in the PDRA Drag Racing Series, with crew chief Tim Essick guiding him to victory. Whetstine achieved this title with two wins in four final-round appearances over the season.
Driving his ProCharger-boosted “Red Velvet” ’90 Mustang, Whetstine qualified No. 1 twice and No. 2 at the season’s initial races. He reached the final round at the American Doorslammer Challenge and secured the event win at the North vs. South Shootout at Maryland International Raceway.
Whetstine’s championship clinched at the Brian Olson Memorial World Finals came after he won the first round of eliminations. He finished ahead of runner-up Derek Mota by just over one round’s worth of points.
“Tim Essick, my crew chief, my best friend, is always working hard on my program and always trying stuff,” Whetstine said. “We changed the whole top end of the motor in the middle of the year… I feel like we can run up front with anybody, anytime.”
For Whetstine, earning a championship as a driver is particularly meaningful because of his long-standing friendship with Essick. “It’s special, but it’s even more special because Tim was involved,” he said.
Whetstine acknowledged the collective effort needed to achieve the title, expressing gratitude to his crew and sponsors, including ATI, Menscer Motorsports, Maxima Oils, UPR Products, Brodix, and ProCharger.
“My wife, Michelle, supports my hobby,” he said. “The best thing is my team – Tim Savoy, Allen Thompson, Don Miller, and everyone around me.”
Derek Mota finished as the championship runner-up for the second year in a row, securing one win in three final-round appearances. Young racer Connor McGee completed the season in third, winning twice in his nitrous-fed ’90 Mustang.
The Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series will honor its 2024 champions at the championship awards banquet on Dec. 13 in downtown Indianapolis.
