The Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS) wrapped up its 2024 season with a thrilling showdown at the Ronnie Hobbs World Finals, held in conjunction with the Throwdown in T-Town at Tulsa Raceway Park. With more than 150 racers descending upon Tulsa, Oklahoma, the event featured three championships on the line and some of the best racing conditions of the season, with a density altitude as low as 220 feet.
Stroud Safety Pro Mod

Keith Haney and Mark Micke faced off in one of the tightest championship battles in Stroud Safety Pro Mod history. With just an 11-point gap, it all came down to eliminations. However, Micke emerged as the season champion in round two when he eliminated fellow turbo racer Ed Thornton.
Aaron Wells wrapped up the event win after taking out the newly crowned MWDRS Pro Mod champ, clocking a 3.604 E.T. to Micke’s 3.804.
Pro Mod Slammers

Scott Blake claimed victory in the Pro Mod Slammers final, using a .02-second holeshot to defeat Mike Labbate. This win marked Blake’s best run of the season, solidifying his place in the Pro Mod Slammers ranks.
J&A Service Top Alcohol Funny Car

Annie Whiteley set the pace in qualifying with a blazing 3.590-second pass. Her husband, Jim Whiteley, ultimately claimed the event victory, defeating Robbie Massey in the final round with a 3.610-second run, capping off his third Top Alcohol Funny Car final of the season.
Steve Macklyn is the 2024 MWDRS J&A Service Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion.
Icon Forged Pistons and Race Star Wheels Top Dragster

The Top Dragster title came down to Jeremy Maples and Jordan Eperjesi, with only 12 points separating them. Eperjesi advanced to the second round, clinching the championship after Maples’ first-round exit.
The event win went to Delaina Whiteley, who outran Wayne Landry in the final round for her first MWDRS event win of the season. Delaina eliminated her teammate (and aunt-in-law) Anita Strasburg in round one. Then would move past Pennington after he spun at the hit in round two, and in round three, Delaina moved past Gibson.
Performance Bearing Top Sportsman
Rod Moore made history, becoming the only racer in MWDRS to achieve three consecutive Top Sportsman class championships.
Meanwhile, Kirk Piepke claimed his first MWDRS event win, making history in the finals against Doug Woody. Piepke faced Charley Whittenburg in the semifinals after a bye in round two. Piepke moved past Monte Weaver in round one with a spread of just 0.009.
Fueltech Pro 4.20

Dave Pierce entered the event with a strong points lead and secured the No. 1 qualifier spot with a perfect 4.200-second pass. However, it was James Ogden who took home the event win after defeating Macy Higgins in the finals.
The newest class within MWDRS had seen steady growth, and six cars were on site for the event. Dave Pierce came into the race with a commanding lead of 64 points over James Ogden. However, James only had a 16-point lead over Derroll Hubbard, meaning the championship podium wasn’t finished yet
Pairing for rounds with Pro 4.20 is determined by chip draw, adding another layer to the excitement of the class. Case Hudelson was unable to make the call for the chip draw, giving Macy Higgins a competition bye.
Dave Pierce took down Derroll Hubbard after Bubbard ran a 4.185, which is too quick for the class. James Ogden moved past Ryan Bush after Bush lit the boards at 4.193 to Ogden’s 4.211. With Hubbard’s loss, Ogden locked in second for the 2024 MWDRS Pro 4.20 points championship.
Another chip draw would pair Higgins and Pierce in round two and provide Ogden with the bye into the finals. Higgins gave Pierce the race he was looking for when Higgins left in front with a .006 light and never looked back, running a 4.217 to Pierce’s 4.220. James Ogden would use the opportunity to give Jessica (his daughter and tuner) some much-needed data for the finals, running a 4.171.
Higgins was the first to leave with a .016 light, his slowest reaction in eliminations. The race was in Higgins hands, but he ran 0.003 too quickly. Ogden and his team have worked hard this season and are taking home their second event in return.
Race Star Wheels Pro Jr
Tyler Wells clinched the championship ahead of the event, but it was Abigail Wilson who shined in the finals, winning the event over Kale Moberly after Moberly redlit at the start.
Zimmerman Properties Sportsman Jr
Cayden Duell took the 2024 MWDRS championship home to St Louis.
Camden Teel, the 2023 champion, returned to the finals but fell to Jovee Brundidge, who ran a 9.167 on a 9.00 dial to claim the event victory.
Junior Slammers
In the final round of the season, Coleman Nation topped Olivia Mayer to claim the Junior Slammers win, closing the season with a strong performance.
Closing Remarks
MWDRS and Tulsa Raceway Park extend heartfelt thanks to the racers, crews, fans, and staff for making the 2024 Throwdown in T-Town one for the books. Final points standings will be announced on Thursday, October 24.
This story was originally published on October 22, 2024.