For decades, U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, located outside of Grand Rapids, MI, has delivered drag racing excitement. And over the weekend, it continued the trend with the latest Midwest Drag Racing Series event. 

Race officials confirmed over 10,000 race fans witnessed Keith Haney (Pro Modified), Tony Sandman  (Pro Mod Slammers), and Phil Esz (Funny Car) topped the headlining divisions. 

Haney’s reeled off a 3.690-second elapsed time to beat a red-lighting Ed Thornton. His victory not only secured his place in the winner’s circle but also allowed him to regain the lead in the Stroud Safety Pro Mod class.

“We had our fair share of challenges,” said Haney, Mid-West Drag Racing Series Founder and also the driver behind the wheel of the nitrous oxide-injected Pro Mod Camaro, “Black Mamba.” 

“Truthfully, the team did an amazing job,” said Haney. “The racetrack, absolutely hands down, Jimmy Bradshaw, Samuel Peterson, and Jason Peterson, are just hands down, a great facility and a wonderful event. Also, thank you to my wife [Misty], who always takes care of me. I couldn’t do it without her.”

Esz triumphed over Steve Macklyn in the J&A Service Funny Car competition. The ICON Forged Pistons Top Dragster category saw Bill Swain outperform Rick Morley, and John Vesper claimed victory over Mike Badia in the Pat Musi Racing Engines Top Sportsman race.

The event had a tense moment as Pro Mod drivers Steven Whiteley and Ron Muenks were involved in an on-track collision that thankfully resulted in no injuries. Whiteley, representing YNot Racing, is expected to compete in a backup car for the upcoming race in Tulsa.

With only three points races left to culminate the season, the drag racing community now eagerly awaits the double-event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on October 6-7 at Osage Tulsa Raceway Park.