You only have one time to make a good first impression and on the opening day of the 2025 Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series a pair of rookies took this to the next level.

Rookies Tim Paap (Pro Nitrous) and Tim Dutton (Pro Street) took the provisional No. 1 positions in their respective divisions at the PDRA East Coast Nationals hosted by Galot Motorsports Park.

Seasoned veterans Melanie Salemi (Pro Boost) and Chris Powers (Pro Stock) are at the top of the leaderboard with the rookies.

Paap, who most recently competed in Top Sportsman, recorded a 3.696-second pass to set the pace with two sessions to go on Friday. Three-time world champion Tommy Franklin was second with a 3.702 at 205.16. Engine builder Billy Albert was third with a 3.707 at 204.70. 

Of 21 entries, Dutton shined the brightest in the Pro Street division, a 3.979 at 187.13 to take the provisional No. 1 position. He was the only driver in the crowded field to dip into the 3-second range.