The Mid-West Drag Racing Series delivers a record-breaking weekend at the Shakedown at M’Town, with multiple benchmarks falling and a landmark Pro Mod entry list.

A joint bill with FuelTech Radial Outlaws and Summit Racing Equipment MWDRS amplifies the spectacle, uniting big- and small-tire contenders under the “Unholy Reunion” banner.

Thirty-one Pro Mod racers commit before testing, one of the largest Stroud Safety Pro Mod fields. Notables include Jason Lee, Kye Kelley, Paige Coughlin, Ryan Martin, and Shawn Ellington.

Qualifying starts decisively. Kallee Mills posts a 3.575 to lead Thursday. Robert Costa hits a 3.588 personal best, and Ryan Martin clocks 3.595 as others dip into the 3.50s.

Friday’s program expands with Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. Paige Coughlin resets the MWDRS Pro Mod record at 3.552 seconds, 213 mph, underscoring rapid overnight track evolution.

That mark displaces co-record holders Mark Micke and Ryan Martin. Coughlin’s standard stands for 24 hours, framing a compelling strategic power battle.

Paul Gargus, debuting with Scott Tidwell Racing, answers emphatically. He wins the final over Aaron Wells with a 3.547, resetting the MWDRS Pro Mod record.

Coughlin credits Hurricane Motorsports, Peter Norton, and US-131 Motorsports Park for the performance step. Saturday brings relentless running across categories.

In Compressed Air Supercharging Top Sportsman, Mike Savoia navigates a stacked bracket. He outlasts Ron Biondo, Rod Oxford, and champion Tyler Wells to seal victory.

The Race Star Wheels Top Dragster final tilts to Jason Jensen. He pairs a .009 light with a 4.53 to edge Mike Kopko in a composed finish.

Jensen’s win is his second straight at Michigan’s quickest strip, backing up last year’s Funny Car Nationals success with measured execution.

Depth defines Pro Mod. Thirteen drivers qualify in the 3.50s, while Aaron Wells claims the new bump record at 3.625, compressing margins and sharpening race-day risk.

Jason Lee secures Pro Mod Slammers. Wells’ volatile day includes a disqualification reversal after a Coughlin incident, emphasizing strict procedural oversight.

Wells reaches the final yet trails Gargus. Ryan Martin reaches the semifinals, producing the quickest side-by-side pass while edging Jason Collins’ 3.562 blower-car series best.

Keith Goolsby impresses on Pro Mod debut. His Tutterow-tuned car, dormant for years, surges to a 3.626 personal best, indicating substantial untapped headroom.

Robert Costa advances his program with a 3.566 personal best. He narrowly loses to Coughlin in the Pro Mod Slammers second round, despite clear performance gains.

Contender Bob Glenn withdraws after damaging his roots-blown Mustang. Unable to diagnose the issue, he returns the car to Florida to prevent further damage.

Event winners: Gargus in Pro Mod, Jason Lee in Slammers, Savoia in Top Sportsman, and Jensen in Top Dragster. Attention shifts to the Northern Nationals at US-131 Motorsports Park on July 31–August 1.

Expect prominent names, including Kye Kelley and Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington, to shape the championship narrative as momentum carries into mid-season.

Visual Summary

James William

James William covers the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to sprint-race formats. His reports include prototype performance reviews, GT class battles, and pit-stop strategy insights for endurance-racing fans.