Catching lightning in a bottle twice when an inaugural event is successful can challenging. The 2nd annual SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout found a way to not only keep the lighting in a bottle, it supercharged the energy and made the event even better. Bradenton Motorsports Park was buzzing with excitement, race gas, and nitro once again when the PRO Superstar Shootout hit the track.

In an event that was dripping with great storylines, Troy Coughlin Jr. win in Pro Stock could be considered the best. Coughlin and his team struggled during qualifying and didn’t make a single clean pass until the final session. The Elite Motorsports team dialed up the right tuneup in Q4 and snuck into the field.

Just making the show is the start of the battle at the PRO Superstar Shootout, from there, you have to deal with the chip draw to see who you’ll face each round. Once again, Coughlin and his team navigated the treacherous waters of eliminations to earn a final-round matchup with number one qualifier Corey Reed. Reed turned on the red light, handing Coughlin the victory.

“You know winning this race is so surreal,” said Coughlin Jr. “I haven’t even really let it sink in yet. We’re gonna enjoy this. Thank you to the PRO group, and all the sponsors involved, especially SCAG. This was a huge win and it’s a great way to start the season. Cory is a great guy and a tough competitor, and this class is awesome,” Coughlin said.

Ron Capps has already cemented his place as an NHRA legend, but like any true drag racing gladiator, he’s always hunting for his next win. At the PRO Superstar Shootout, Capps and his team showed up ready to take on whoever they lined up against. Like a true champion, Capps rose to the occasion and scored a huge win at the PRO Superstar Shootout.

Now, the road to victory wasn’t easy for Capps since the PRO Superstar Shootout is packed with top-tier racers. After plowing his way to the final, Capps had to face off against Funny Car juggernaut Austin Prock. Capps showed why he is a three-time NHRA champion, and sealed the deal to bring home the win in Funny Car by defeating Prock with a 3.870 second pass at 330.47 mph.

“This event is special. It’s the second year we’ve done anything like this, but you have an all-star cast,” said Capps. “Back in the day, as a kid, you know, I read about the Orange County races and all the stuff, where everybody showed up. This SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout is what it’s all about. A lot of our sponsors are big supporters of this event, so thank you, SCAG, for putting all that money up. We’re gonna love it, but our NAPA guys, (crew chief) Guido. I cannot say enough about how hard he’s worked, and this is the fruit of our team’s labor,” Capps said about his big victory.

NHRA Top Fuel racing isn’t for the faint of heart, this class is packed with the best of the best. Shawn Reed has been on the cusp of punching his ticket into the ranks of the sport’s most elite drivers, and he finally got his big break at the PRO Superstar Shootout. The mountain wasn’t easy to climb, but Reed and his team stayed focused and it paid off with a victory.

The Top Fuel final round saw Reed facing off against Florida native Josh Hart. Considering the struggles Hart and his team had in 2024, it made this matchup even more intriguing. Two of the hungriest teams on the property lined up and threw down, with Reed’s 3.699 second run at 330.39 mph besting Hart’s 3.724 second pass at 321.27 mph.

“This is flat out incredible right now. It’s impossible to think ahead because you haven’t done anything. I have to thank Red Line Oil, Matco Tools, All American Automotive. Thanks to all the fans. Man, it’s been great with all these people out here. I’m more than blessed right now, and I’m probably happy as I’ve been in a long, long time,” Reed said after his win.

The SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout is truly a unique event. It gives fans a cozy nitro experience that doesn’t disappoint. This event feels like a major sports league’s all-star race and does a great job of providing plenty of excitement.