Paap, Tutterow, Morgano, Pittman, and McGee Lead PDRA North vs. South Qualifying

Tim Paap clinched No. 1 at Maryland International Raceway on Friday afternoon, his Thursday benchmark standing at the Hoosier Tire PDRA North vs. South Shootout presented by Callies Performance.

Rain limited running and elevated early laps in significance.

Driving the Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous entry backed by Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Paap recorded 3.653 seconds at 205.41 mph in Q1. Friday’s lone session left rivals short of the mark.

It is Paap’s first No. 1 of the 2026 Red Line Oil PDRA season, now four rounds in. The result delivers opening-round lane choice and vital track position.

Severe storms at home nearly kept him sidelined after a tornado in Charleston, Illinois. A late decision to travel paid off, with Paap crediting his crew and tuner Jeffrey Barker.

WS Construction Pro Boost completed two sessions and started a third before rain. Champion Ty Tutterow led with 3.593 at 209.20 in a new Larry Jeffers-built Quik Fuel ’68 Camaro.

That lap reflects rapid adaptation to fresh hardware and a stable baseline as conditions swing. It preserves psychological leverage entering eliminations.

Jerry Morgano headed Liberty’s Gears Pro Street with 3.958 at 201.94 in a turbocharged ’02 Mustang. Jeff Pittman led Pro 632 with 4.147 at 171.95 in his ’68 Chevelle.

Connor McGee set the 1320 Fabrication Super Street pace in a ’90 Mustang, prioritising consistency as surface grip evolved.

Bryan LaFlam topped MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman with 3.776 at 194.49 in a supercharged ’67 Mustang. Gray Kimble’s 3.745 at 197.33 led Elite Top Dragster.

Corey Evans paced Top Sportsman with 4.159 at 173.21 in a ’69 Firebird. Chad Traylor led ATI Performance Products Top Dragster with 4.221 at 165.97.

Alyssa Rabon produced a perfect 7.900 to lead Pro Jr. Dragster after two sessions. Camden Berry’s .006 reaction time provisionally topped Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster.

Final Jr. Dragster qualifying arrives early Saturday, before mid-morning eliminations. Bracket discipline and lane selection will prove decisive as temperatures stabilise.

Weather remains the central variable, as covered in the Friday qualifying update. Compressed programmes reward teams with repeatable early windows and disciplined turnaround.

Paap’s late call risked preparation time yet delivered dividends. His target is the winner’s circle, underpinned by a cohesive operation and a proven baseline.

Eliminations begin mid-morning. Track evolution, staging discipline, and turnaround efficiency will dictate who converts qualifying form into points.

For wider regional context, see the Southeast Gassers Rocky Top coverage, highlighting how conditions and form can swing sharply between venues.

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Miles Carter

Miles Carter covers grassroots and regional drag-strip action, from bracket racing to street-legal shootouts. His event previews and performance-upgrade guides keep local racers up to speed on timing-slip trends, tire tech, and weekend race highlights.