PDRA Pro Street superstar Tim Essick wanted to make drag racing history by becoming the first driver to earn a championship in the category’s inaugural season in 2021. Then when the opportunity to be the first two-time series champion, he didn’t think twice en route to driving his ProCharger-boosted “Brown Sugar” ’18 Mustang to the crown. 
 
“It was just a terrific feeling to be able to back it up,” Essick said. “It kind of validates everything that we’ve worked for. It just goes to show that it’s a successful program. It makes you feel good about what you’re doing.”

Essick left little doubt at the start of his championship defense tour when he went in Galot Motorsports and drove to a dominating season-opening win.
 
“That was a huge start to the year,” Essick said. “Through qualifying, we were struggling a little bit. Over the winter, we had changed the transmission and converter, plus we had a hundred pounds thrown on us. But when it came down to eliminations, the air changed, and things fell into place, and the car ran some really fast passes right up front. Nick Agostino was running real fast as well. Unfortunately, that weather went away, and the rest of the year was in slower weather, but that was good momentum to start the year.”

After the event, two new winners came forward, with Bill Riddle winning and then TY Kasper pulling off back-to-back victories. Essick then found his groove again by winning the Northern Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. He had enough momentum; he was able to clinch the title at the final event of the season at Virginia Motorsports Park. 
 
Essick knew it was only going to be a matter of time before the contenders stepped up and challenged his title. 
 
“Everybody’s getting faster,” Essick said. “There’s been new cars like [Agostino], and so forth that’s come in and saw what a good time it is running with the PDRA and wanted to be a part of it. We’re glad to have them. The competition’s gotten tougher. Everybody pays attention to the fast cars, and you duplicate what works for you. Me and my crew giggled at the beginning of the year; at times, there’d be nine or ten people videotaping my car, and only two of them were crew members. But that’s how you learn and get faster. Everybody’s done a great job of stepping up their program. You get near the tail end of the year, and it was very close racing across all the combos. That’s the parity the class needs.”

 
Essick now has a chance to become the first three-time series champion. 
 
“Over the winter, it’s going to be like last winter and every day for me. I’ll be out here in the garage working on this thing to make it more efficient and make it faster,” said Essick, who thanked his crew for their efforts at the shop and at the racetrack. “That’s the name of the game. It’s just building a better mouse trap every single day. I’m going to put pressure on them next year. They’re all going to have to step up over the winter too.”
 
While Essick understands his car has been the one to beat, it only got to that position with the support of his crew, sponsors, and various manufacturers.  
 
“None of this can happen without the great parts and products and support from all the companies,” Essick said. “ProCharger, Billet Atomizer, Precision Racing Suspension, Visner Engine Development, FuelTech, UPR Products, AJPE, Triton Defense, Quick Drive, Liberty’s Gears, and Wiseco. If I can’t get the parts and pieces I need, it can’t happen. I’m so thankful that I have such a good group of manufacturers backing me and getting me products in a timely fashion. Without them, none of us could do this. That’s what makes us shine.”