For the last several years, racers in the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous division have competed in the Structural Concrete Nitrous Wars, a special program rewarding the top engine builders in the class. This season, the PDRA engine builder challenge will expand to include two other professional classes, plus a revamped format.
Racers in WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive will square off in Boost Wars, and Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition teams will race off in Horsepower Wars to determine the top engine builders in their respective classes.
Structural Concrete Nitrous Wars, Boost Wars, and Horsepower Wars will pit the top four qualified engine builders at the previous event against each other during Q2 and Q3 in a chance to gain points for each particular class. No. 1 runs No. 4 and No. 2 runs No. 3 in the second round of qualifying as the final two pairs of the category. The two winners advance to be the final pair in the category during the final round of qualifying to go for the bragging rights, the yearly points, and the right to carry each individual class trophy until the next event.
The team who gains the most points at the end of the season will earn their engine builder the Engine Builder of the Year honors in each particular category, while the driver who earns the most points for the winning engine builder will be awarded the specialty trophy that drivers sign and carry from race to race.
Class and series sponsors Switzer Dynamics (Pro Nitrous), Pro Line Racing (Pro Boost), and AED Competition Fuel Systems (Extreme Pro Stock) contributed to the creation of the specialty trophies.
Structural Concrete is entering its third season as the title sponsor of Nitrous Wars. Owned and operated by the Crouse family since 1986, Structural Concrete Inc. specializes in residential poured concrete wall foundations. In addition to poured wall foundations, Structural Concrete also provides related services including clearing, excavation, footings, and foundation coatings for customers throughout northeast Maryland and southeast Pennsylvania.
“Jim and Cathy Halsey have been incredible supporters of the PDRA and the Nitrous Wars program,” said Will Smith, marketing director, PDRA. “Through their support, we’ve been able to recognize the engine builders that make the Pro Nitrous class what it is.”
Matchups for the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech at GALOT Motorsports Park come from the 2022 edition of the World Finals. Each class will have an alternate in case one of the top four is not in attendance. If the top qualified team member does not attend, the next top qualified team member from the World Finals qualifying sheet will take the top spot.
Structural Concrete Nitrous Wars:
- Jim Halsey (Team Fulton) vs. 4. Travis Harvey (Team Sonny’s)
- Jay Cox (Team Musi) vs. 3. Dane Wood (Team Albert).
Alternate: Chris Rini (Team Buck)
Boost Wars:
- Melanie Salemi (Team MSR) vs. 4. Robert Cox (Team Elite)
- Todd Tutterow (Team WYO) vs. 3. Johnny Camp (Team Pro Line).
Alternate: Chuck Ulsch (Team Roche)
Horsepower Wars:
- John DeFlorian (Team Kaase) vs. 4. Chris Powers (Team Sonny’s)
- JR Carr (Team F5) vs. 3. Elijah Morton (Team Allen).
Alternate: Justin Kirk (Team DRC)
The 2023 PDRA season will begin at the Summit Racing Equipment PDRA East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech, March 30-April 1 at GALOT Motorsports Park in Benson, N.C.
This story was originally published on March 23, 2023. 
