The U.S. Street Nationals, part of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, will take place at Bradenton Motorsports Park from Jan. 23-26. This event follows a historic showdown at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals and features Pro Modified drag racing.
The weekend’s highlights include the FuelTech Radial Outlaw Series’ second event of the season. Also in competition are classes such as Outlaw 632 and the popular N/T No Time Shootout.
“We’re excited for the U.S. Street Nationals because we’ve got the heavy hitters that weren’t able to be at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals,” said Victor Alvarez, track owner and promoter. “You’ll see new cars, new engine combinations, and new parts getting put through the paces this weekend.”
Wes Buck, founder of Drag Illustrated and promoter of the DI Winter Series, anticipates a significant increase in racing performance.
“We’re talking about even better conditions than last month, so if the good Lord is willing, we’ve got a flat-out badass drag race in store,” Buck said.
More than 65 drivers are expected to compete for the $75,000 grand prize in the M&M Transmission Outlaw Pro Mod. Notable contenders include defending champion Mark Micke and the reigning NPK champion Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington, who will be making his Pro Mod debut.
“We’re sitting around 70 Pro Mod entries, which is just incredible,” Buck added. “It’s going to be an all-out slugfest.”
Alvarez emphasized the push to establish Bradenton as a Pro Mod hub.
“We’re always trying to raise the bar for our racers, and in turn, the racers have supported us in a big way,” Alvarez noted.
The U.S. Street Nationals will feature various radial racing events, including the PST Driveshafts Pro 275 with a $15,000 purse and multiple $10,000 events for X275 and Limited Drag Radial classes.
Other competitions will include TBM Brakes Outlaw 632 and other index classes. “The U.S. Street Nationals has something for everybody,” Alvarez said.
Testing will be available Monday through Wednesday, with qualifying starting Thursday at 9 a.m. Additional qualifying sessions will continue until Saturday morning, with eliminations set to begin later that day.
“We see different weather at different times of the year, and it’s all part of what makes Bradenton special,” Alvarez said. “It’s worth it when everything comes together.”
Buck concluded, “I can’t wait for things to get rolling on Thursday. It’s going to be one for the books.”
