The Professional Drag Racer’s Association (PDRA) marked the midpoint of its 2016 racing season last weekend at the famed Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Maryland with the North-South Shootout. Scorching mid-summer temperatures greeted the competitors, forcing adjustments in the testing and qualifying schedule to produce a more enjoyable experience for racers and fans alike, and rain showers on Saturday evening ultimately forced the postponement of eliminations to Sunday, but it didn’t slow the momentum of the competitors.

In Pro Extreme, Tommy D’Aprile scored his second career series victory in his Mel Bush Motorsports C7 Corvette, taking an easy final round lap when scheduled opponent Brandon Snider experienced engine damage in the semifinals and could not answer the bell. In Pro Nitrous, Tommy Franklin powered from the No. 2 qualifying spot to the winner’s circle with a 3.81-second defeat of Travis Harvey, while John Strickland overcame a slight edge at the tree by Tylor Miller in the Pro Boost finale to take a 3.89 to 3.99 victory.

Reigning series champion Eric McKinney defeated David Norris in the two-wheeled Pro Extreme Motorcycle final, 4.07 to 4.20, and Mo Hall downed Mike Decker, Jr. in the Outlaw 10.5 category, 4.17 to an off-pace 4.34. Other winners included Glenn Butcher (Top Sportsman), Travis Laster (Top Dragster), Cory Gulitti, (Pro Junior Dragster), Mia Schultz (Top Junior Dragster), Anthony Cable (Bracket Bash).

Ace lensman Todd Dziadosz was on hand at MDIR and captured an impressive gallery of images for your viewing pleasure, so be sure to click the gallery and have a browse!