The Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) is set to roll into Maryland International Raceway from June 15-17 for the fourth of eight points races on the 2023 schedule. Along with racing for championship points and event victories, drivers will also be earning points to lock in the final spots for the race-your-way-in ProStars field.

Tyler Crossnoe, Series Director for PDRA, noted the significance of this weekend's event, stating, “For the last three races of the 2022 season and the first three races of this season, our racers have been racking up ProStars points. That nearly year-long points chase will come to a close this weekend. While some spots have already been locked in, there are many more still up for grabs. Racers can earn points through participation and standout performances in qualifying and eliminations. These racers are already hyper-competitive, but this will just ramp up the competition level this weekend.”

PDRA is celebrating 10 years of hosting the North vs. South Shootout at Maryland International Raceway, a race that is one of the longest-running events in the history of the organization. The race is expected to bring in large crowds to see some of the best racers in the game.

"Our racers are ready to put on a thrilling show for all the Maryland fans,” said Crossnoe.

In the Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous category, four-time and reigning world champion Jim Halsey is leading the pack with two wins and a semifinal finish to his name. Halsey is expected to face close competition from two-time world champion Tommy Franklin and Jay Cox who has been a semi-finalist at every race so far this season.

In the WS Construction Pro Boost category, Jason Harris scored his first Pro Boost win at the last race, giving him a two-round lead over Travis “The Carolina Kid” Harvey. Harvey earned his first Pro Boost win one race prior and currently sits in second place in the points race. Melanie Salemi, who won the season-opener race, rounds out the top three.

Powers’ win in his Sonny’s Racing Engines Camaro at Virginia was flanked by first-time wins for Dwayne Rice and Alan Drinkwater at the first and third races, respectively, in the Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition. Chris Powers is currently leading the points in this category, but Drinkwater is a close second and is the only driver to reach the semifinals twice so far this season.

Meanwhile, the Drag 965 Pro Nitrous Motorcycle category will see two-wheeled machines back in action after sitting out the last race. The top two contenders in points, Meshal Al-Saber and Brayden Davis, are just six points apart. Al-Saber has been quick at the first two races, but he is still seeking his first victory of the year. Davis won his debut at the season opener and is the son of reigning world champion and previous event winner Travis Davis.

Bill Riddle currently leads the Menscer Motorsports Pro Street presented by Afco category with wins in two races and runner-up finish in the other race. Tim Essick, from Maryland, has been working hard to get his car ready for the North vs. South Shootout after wounding an engine at Norwalk. He is in second place in the points race with a win and a runner-up ahead of Nick Agostino and defending event winner Ty Kasper, who’ve both reached the semis twice.

The PDRA's newest class, Afco Super Street presented by Menscer Motorsports, has seen two first-time winners so far this season. Blake Denton leads the points with his nitrous-fed ’76 Camaro, followed by Derek Mota who won the season opener, and past winner Dan Whetstine.

Apart from the heads-up competition in the pro classes, the North vs. South Shootout will also include fast bracket racing in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Laris Motorsports Insurance Elite Top Dragster, MagnaFuel Top Sportsman presented by Corbin’s RV, and Laris Motorsports Insurance Top Dragster. Local bracket racers will also have their chance to shine in Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by COMP Cams.

The junior dragster classes will also be in action, as the rising stars of the PDRA will face off in the highly competitive Coolshirt Systems Pro Jr. Dragster presented by PRP and Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster presented by PRP.