PDRA Championship Battles Heat Up at Benson DragWars Return

With two events remaining, PDRA DragWars at Darana Motorsports Park becomes a decisive championship waypoint from August 27-29 in Benson, North Carolina.

The eighth-mile venue routinely attracts a strong regional Pro Modified presence, intensifying competition as touring contenders manage risk and points opportunity.

Series director Tyler Crossnoe hails the facility’s consistency and atmosphere, noting Benson’s tendency to produce surprise results across spring and late-season meetings.

The local-versus-touring dynamic shapes strategy. Every qualifying session and elimination round carries outsized weight with limited recovery time left.

In Pro Nitrous, three-time champion Tommy Franklin leads in the Musi-powered “Jungle Rat 3.0” ’69 Camaro after winning the Benson East Coast Nationals and a runner-up at the Thunder Valley Throwdown.

Defending champion Marcus Butner sits under two rounds back in the Musi-powered “Heartbreaker” ’69 Camaro, already with two No. 1s this season.

Fredy Scriba remains in contention after a home-state victory in Maryland, debuting his Musi-powered “Sorcerer” ’69 Camaro to strong effect.

Pro Boost points leader Jason Harris, in the Harts Charger-boosted “Party Time” ’69 Camaro, builds on an East Coast Nationals win and back-to-back semifinals.

Harris already owns two Pro Nitrous and two Pro Boost titles, seeking a record fifth. Johnny Camp, winner at the season opener in the ProCharger-boosted “Hells Bells” ’69 Camaro, is within three rounds.

Reigning DragWars winner and world champion Ty Tutterow sits close behind in third, keeping the pressure on the lead duo.

Liberty’s Gears Pro Street is on a knife-edge. Blake Denton leads Richard Reagan by a single point after winning Benson’s East Coast Nationals in his nitrous-assisted “Bonnie” ’69 Camaro.

Reagan, fresh from a home-track victory in his screw-blown ’91 Mustang, pursues a maiden series title. Scott Kincaid’s screw-blown ’69 Camaro sits just over two rounds back in third.

In Pro 632, J.C. Beattie Jr. leads by less than a round after winning the Benson East Coast Nationals in his Reher-Morrison-powered ’18 Camaro.

Closest challenger Jeff Pittman seized Maryland victory in his Barry Allen-powered ’68 Chevelle after Beattie’s first-round exit, compressing the title fight.

Rookie David Cook Jr. holds third in his Nelson-powered ’10 GTO, maintaining consistency as the field converges.

The 1320 Fabrication Super Street order resets after Bristol. Defending champion Connor McGee exited in round two after a wheelstand forced him to shut down.

No. 1 qualifier Austin Vincent converted at Bristol to take the win and narrow points lead, echoing the form highlighted in recent Thunder Valley qualifying.

Last year’s champion Dan Whetstine holds third, buoyed by a runner-up at the season opener.

Sportsman categories remain tight. Points leaders are Zach Houser in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman, Josh Duggins in Elite Top Dragster, Joe Roubicek in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman, and Joe Gary in Top Dragster.

In Jr. Dragster, Katelyn Page leads Pro Jr. Dragster, and Wyatt Piercey controls Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster after a timely win at Thunder Valley.

Page maintains a healthy margin despite missing Bristol qualifying, while Piercey capitalized on recent momentum to move ahead.

Alongside the touring show, the Edelbrock Bracket Bash provides a platform for local bracket racers to compete under national-event conditions.

Track activity starts Thursday at 9 a.m. with testing, followed by evening sportsman qualifying. Pro classes run three Friday sessions.

Jr. Dragster final qualifying and pro eliminations begin Saturday, running through to champions in the FuelTech Winner’s Circle.

Demand remains high late in the season, with fans engaging through recent free ticket initiatives as the title battles compress.

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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.