For the second year since taking over Shakedown, Donald Long brought the historic event back to US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, combining it with the Mid-West Drag Racing Series for Shakedown at M’Town.
The combination produced an outstanding weekend of Pro Mod, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and radial tire racing. Favorable weather conditions helped set the stage for record-breaking performances and thrilling side-by-side racing throughout the event.
Pro Mod
All eyes were on class newcomer and former No Prep Kings racer Paige Coughlin, who was making her debut behind the wheel of Peter Norton’s new Pro Mod entry.
After just a handful of runs, Coughlin was making solid A-to-B passes and setting new personal-best elapsed times. She eventually secured the number one qualifying position and established a new Mid-West Drag Racing Series Pro Mod record with a 3.552-second pass.
The final round featured Paul Gargus, driving for Scott Tidwell Racing, against Aaron Wells.
Wells had originally been eliminated in the semifinals but was reinstated after Jacob McNeal was disqualified following a post-run inspection.
When the tree dropped, Gargus quickly took control. The silver 1969 Camaro charged down the track for the victory while also resetting the class elapsed-time record for the second time during the weekend.
Gargus ran 3.547 seconds at 211.47 mph, while Wells coasted to an 8.336 at 52.91 mph.
Radial vs. The World
The biggest headline came during the final round of Radial vs. The World qualifying. Lyle Barnett reset the screw-blown door car record behind the wheel of Tommy Youmans’ famed “Elvira” Camaro with a blistering 3.454-second pass.
Barnett advanced to the final round, where he faced number two qualifier Chris Daniel.
Daniel gained the starting-line advantage, but Barnett drove around him in a spectacular side-by-side race to secure his second consecutive victory.
Barnett ran 3.457 at 217.08 mph to Daniel’s 3.472 at 216.97 mph.
Pro 275
Luke Smith put the field on notice during qualifying with a number one qualifying run of 3.635 seconds at 207.18 mph.
The final round featured Mo Hall and Lyle Barnett.
Hall was able to drive around Barnett after Barnett was forced to pedal the car down track. Hall secured the victory with a 3.662 at 205.10 mph, while Barnett ran 4.091 at 188.52 mph.
Limited Drag Radial
Jamie Stanton claimed the top qualifying position with a 3.801 at 194.22 mph.
The final round paired number six qualifier Jamie Hancock against number eight qualifier Chad Henderson.
As the tree dropped, Henderson left too soon, turning on the red light by just .003 second and handing the victory to Hancock.
Hancock ran 3.815 at 187.97 mph, while Henderson posted a losing 3.827 at 192.31 mph.
X275
Class record holder Davey Hull entered eliminations as the number one qualifier with a 4.107 at 177.10 mph.
Hull maintained that momentum throughout eliminations and advanced to the final round against Stephen Barnett.
Hull completed a dominant weekend by running 4.057 at 178.78 mph to defeat Barnett’s 4.115 at 175.10 mph.
Ultra Street
A strong 21-car field showed up for Ultra Street, all fighting for one of the 16 available spots in eliminations.
Justin Johnson earned the number one qualifying position with a 4.415 at 160.94 mph.
The final round featured number seven qualifier Martin Connelley against number eight qualifier Jessie Coulter.
Connelley was first off the starting line and first to the finish stripe, running 4.426 at 161.12 mph to edge Coulter’s 4.429 at 160.89 mph.
X255
Brad Schehr topped qualifying with a 4.832 at 144.93 mph.
The final round paired Cody Poston against Jonathan Insley.
Poston gained a holeshot advantage at the starting line but was forced to lift downtrack, allowing Insley to drive around for the victory.
Insley ran 4.877 at 144.23 mph, while Poston coasted to a 7.965 at 56.78 mph.
Gangster X
The no-time Gangster X class saw Tim Flanders take home the victory over Scotty Lovell.
Top Sportsman
Winner: Mike Sevoia
Runner-Up: Ron Biondo
Top Dragster
Winner: Jason Jensen
Runner-Up: Mike Kopko
Shakedown at M-Town once again proved why it remains one of the premier events in drag racing. Between record-setting performances, packed fields, and intense competition across multiple categories, the combination of Donald Long’s Shakedown brand and the Mid-West Drag Racing Series delivered another memorable weekend at US 131 Motorsports Park.
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