Skip to content
https://shop.fervogear.com/cart
Northern Nationals Thrills Fans Despite Tighter Mid-West Drag Racing Schedule
Highlights
- Mid-West Drag Racing Series debuted at US-131 Motorsports Park
- Rain forced condensed schedule; most classes crowned champions
- Peter Norton led Pro Mod qualifying with 3.592-second pass
- Final races canceled; prize pots split due to weather
- Next event: Double Smackdown, September 24–27 in Missouri
The Mid-West Drag Racing Series debuts at US-131 Motorsports Park, compressing its Northern Nationals into Friday as rain disrupts the weekend. Most classes crown winners, though four matchups remain.
Officials run two qualifying rounds and all eliminations on Friday to beat incoming weather. The approach preserves competitive integrity while prioritizing safety and track conditions.
Stroud Safety Pro Mod draws 26 entries after testing and shop attrition reduce the initial list. The depth of field shapes an unforgiving qualifying battle.
Peter Norton leads the order with a 3.592-second pass, set despite density altitude above 3,000 feet. The run sets the tone for a brisk eliminations day.
Peter Norton tops Pro Mod qualifying with a 3.592 despite challenging density altitude.
The bump spot is ruthless. Greg Blevins Jr. sneaks in at 3.639, with just six-hundredths covering the top 23. Margins for error are minimal across the board.
Notable names Kallee Tally, Jeff Rudolf, and Robert Costa miss the cut. Eliminations add further volatility as Shawn Ellington and Ran Martin exit early.
Jacob McNeal defeats Craig Sullivan in round one, but a fuel line cracks on the line in round two. Mechanical risk becomes decisive under the condensed format.
The final pairs Eric Dillard against Paul Gargus after wins over Norton and Johnny Camp. Rain ultimately cancels the decider, forcing a purse split.
Rain cancels the Pro Mod final; Eric Dillard and Paul Gargus split the prize pot.
Weather also halts the Slammers class, triggering a split purse. Tally and Blevins Jr. line up for the final, chasing a Peterson family-backed $2,000 bonus.
Blake Housley delivers a personal best in Dustin Hart’s Harts Charger-equipped Pro Mod Camaro. His 3.59 makes him the quickest Slammers car and the day’s fourth into the 3.50s.
Blake Housley’s 3.59 marks a personal best and tops the Slammers field.
UEM Pistons Top Dragster reaches a weather-imposed pause with finalists Bobby Churchill and Tim Kish waiting in the lanes. Terry Long advances to the semifinals with steady 3.80s in a new Danny Nelson car.
Championship leader Tim White exits in round three after the series expands the field to 32 cars. The wider draw raises exposure and sharpens championship jeopardy.
Compressed Air Supercharging Top Sportsman features three-time champion Rod Moore on consistent 4.50s in his Holliday Distillery Chevy. Brian Stuitz denies him in the final as conditions tighten.
Jon Vesper, a recent US-131 winner, bows out in round one. In juniors, Ean Guenthardt beats Ellie Vesper in Race Star Wheels Pro Junior, earning an additional $250.
Aspyn Kuapa claims Zimmerman Sportsman Junior over Harley Davidson. The junior outcomes underline operational efficiency despite weather pressure.
The series shifts focus to the Double Smackdown on September 24–27 at Flying H Drag Strip in Odessa, Missouri. Momentum builds, with ongoing discussion on the Wes Buck Show.
Visual Summary
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.
