Though every race around them has already postponed because of weather, PDRA officials are gambling they are the one series that can get the best of Mother Nature.
Monday turned into a survival day on the drag racing calendar. NHRA announced the postponement of its SPORTSnationals events in Bowling Green, Ky., and at Cecil County Dragway in Maryland, while IHRA later pushed back the opening round of its Triple Crown Series at Maple Grove Raceway outside Reading, Pa.
PDRA looked at the same forecast and went another direction.
Instead of moving the event, officials moved the schedule. They pulled qualifying forward and began reshaping the Mid-Atlantic Showdown weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park before the first race car unloaded from the trailer.
The move does not guarantee anything. It does signal a series willing to take a swing at the weather rather than absorb a direct hit from it.
After two test sessions Thursday morning, qualifying will start at 3 p.m. with Top Sportsman and Top Dragster, work through the professional categories and finish with the Jr. Dragster classes. Two more qualifying sessions are scheduled Friday before eliminations begin Saturday morning.
PDRA Series Director Tyler Crossnoe made it clear there was no mystery surrounding the situation.
“We’re going to deal with some weather, no doubt, but our team is prepared to do what it takes to keep things rolling,” Crossnoe said. “Virginia Motorsports Park has been a part of the PDRA since the beginning. We called this track home for several years and it’s always great to come back.”
He believes there is another factor working in the series’ favor beyond weather models and radar screens.
“From the pro ranks to the Jr. Dragster classes, a lot of our racers call Virginia and the surrounding area home as well,” Crossnoe said. “They grew up racing here or they race here on a weekly basis. The local fans always know when we’re coming to town, too, so we’re excited to put on a show for them.”
The weather angle may dominate the conversation entering the weekend, but the championship battles have started separating names from the crowd.
Two races into a seven-event season, contenders are beginning to emerge. The first quarter of a championship season often tells racers who belongs in the fight and who is already chasing.
Three-time world champion Tommy Franklin arrives carrying the points lead in Pro Nitrous after his victory at Benson in the “Jungle Rat 3.0” Camaro. Franklin has already put together the kind of start capable of changing the tone of a season.
Mike Achenbach sits second after a victory at the season opener in his return to the category, while defending champion Marcus Butner holds third place. Franklin is back in a familiar spot with competitors lined up behind him.
Momentum has become a recurring theme in several classes.
Johnny Camp enters Virginia carrying both a points lead and a new elapsed-time record in Pro Boost. He established the benchmark at the season opener, then followed it with another strong outing at Benson.
Behind him is two-time champion Jason Harris, who picked up the Benson victory, while Melanie Salemi remains within striking distance after reaching the final round.
One of the stronger storylines heading into Virginia belongs to Blake Denton in Pro Street.
Denton has climbed behind the wheel of the nitrous-fed “Bonnie” Camaro once driven by the late Lizzy Musi and put together an early title run. He won the last event and reached the semifinals at the opener.
The emotional connection surrounding the car naturally draws attention. Denton, however, has been adding substance to the conversation through round wins.
Jerry Morgano sits second after qualifying No. 1 and reaching an earlier final round, while Virginia native Ron Green enters the weekend third in points searching for his first victory of the season.
The biggest gap in the standings belongs to J.C. Beattie Jr.
Beattie has turned Pro 632 into his own neighborhood through two races. He has won both events and continues stacking points while the rest of the class tries to slow him down.
Former Top Sportsman racer Jeff Pittman has moved into second place after earning his first No. 1 qualifying award in the category. David Cook Jr. sits third after a runner-up finish at Benson.
Defending Super Street champion Connor McGee also appears interested in repeating history.
McGee opened the season with a victory, followed it with a No. 1 qualifier and another final-round appearance. Austin Vincent and former champion Dan Whetstine remain close enough to keep pressure on the standings.
The sportsman side enters Virginia with Scott Duggins leading Elite Top Sportsman, Josh Duggins leading Elite Top Dragster, Joe Roubicek pacing Top Sportsman and Steven Boone holding the advantage in Top Dragster.
Local racers will also have an opportunity to compete in Bracket Bash competition throughout the weekend.
