Racing wouldn’t exist without sponsors. Racers couldn’t afford to race and tracks wouldn’t be able to put up quality payouts to attract racers. It doesn’t matter what type of racing, it wouldn’t exist without sponsors.

Drag racing specifically, sponsors help racers get from race to race by providing funds and/or products to help back their racer. At the same time, track and/or title sponsors like ATI Performance Products can help with payouts for events to get racers in the door, along with spectators to help with track bills, as well. Sponsors also help pay contingency payout, too, which further entices racers to come out.

For Piedmont Dragway in Julian, North Carolina, ATI Performance Products has signed on to sponsor the track’s Big Dog Shootout. ATI is known for its drag racing transmission expertise, so the sponsorship is a natural for both Piedmont and ATI, which has many products aimed at the Pro Mod racers for which the Big Dog Shootout is intended.

The Big Dog Shootout is one of the longest-running single-track series in the country, consisting of Pro Mod-style cars like ATI’s own sponsored racer, Chris Rini. The Big Dog Shootout takes place once a month at Piedmont and attracts many top racers. Big Dog class racers routinely run in the high threes at over 200 mph.

Rini won the class championship in 2012 with his Pro Mod Camaro, while Danny Perry won it 2013 and Todd Tutterow in 2014. The Big Dog Shootout season opener is coming up next Thursday night, April 2nd. Big Dog Shootouts take place either the first Thursday night or first Saturday of the month. Check out Piedmont’s website for event dates because a few of the first shootouts take place the first Thursday night of the month.

With ATI’s sponsorship, and a $4,000 first place cash prize, you need to mark your calendars to be at Piedmont Dragway.