After COVID-19 restrictions prevented the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) from making its annual stop at Maryland International Raceway in 2020, the series and its racers are charged up for their Maryland return at the North vs. South Shootout presented by Line-X, June 24-26.
“Maryland International Raceway has been a staple on the PDRA tour, so we definitely missed this place last year,” said Tyler Crossnoe, race director, PDRA. “A number of our biggest stars call Maryland home, and we have a ton of fans in this area. We’re all excited to get back to Budds Creek to put on a show and crown some event champions at the North vs. South Shootout.”
In Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous, two-time and defending world champion Jim Halsey and his Havre de Grace, Maryland-based “Daddy Shark” ’68 Camaro lead the championship points standings with two event wins in the first three races of the season.
Virginia’s Randy Weatherford is the current points leader in Penske/PRS Pro Boost presented by WS Construction, though he’s seeking his first win of the season in his WS Construction ’17 Camaro. Mt. Airy, Maryland’s Chuck Ulsch, who reached the semifinals at the last PDRA race, will try to climb his way up the points standings after missing the first two races of the year.
Tim Essick (Roger Richards photo)
With a win and a runner-up at the last race, Port Tobacco, Maryland’s Tim Essick is the points leader in Drag 965 Pro Street, the PDRA’s new Outlaw 10.5-style class. His home-built “Brown Sugar” ’18 Mustang is a fan favorite for its sharp, show-quality looks and equally impressive performance on track.
In Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition, Chris Powers is chasing his first world championship in his Sonny’s Racing Engines ’14 Camaro. The Carlisle, Pennsylvania, driver is the points leader going into Maryland with a win and a runner-up finish.
It’s a true North vs. South battle brewing in $hameless Racing Pro Outlaw 632, where defending world champion Wes Distefano and his Michigan-based $hameless Racing ’68 Camaro hold the points lead over Florida’s Daryl Stewart. The two drivers are the most recent winners on tour, with Distefano winning in Kentucky and Stewart earning his first PDRA win at the Norwalk race last month.
Racing in their second of six races with the PDRA this season, the Drag 965 Pro Nitrous Motorcycle riders will add a two-wheeled flair to the PDRA’s doorslammer-focused show. Perennial championship contender Chris Garner-Jones is the points leader aboard his Jones Racing Hayabusa, while past world champions Travis Davis and Eric McKinney give chase.
Along with thrilling heads-up racing in the professional categories, the PDRA North vs. South Shootout presented by Line-X will include fast bracket racing in the PDRA’s sportsman classes. This includes MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by Tejas Borja, Lucas Oil Elite Top Dragster, MagnaFuel Top Sportsman, and Lucas Oil Top Dragster. Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by COMP Cams will give the area’s best bracket racers a place to showcase their skills.
The rising stars of the PDRA will also race at the North vs. South Shootout in Coolshirt Systems Pro Jr. Dragster and Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster.
The event will also feature a big-tire N/T Outlaw Shootout, with shakedowns on Friday and eliminations on Saturday.
Pre-race testing at the North vs. South Shootout will take place on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. A driver’s meeting will start Friday’s activities at 8:30 a.m., followed by the first Top Jr. Dragster qualifying session at 9:30. Pro qualifying sessions will follow at 2 p.m., 5:30 and 7:15. Sportsman and Jr. Dragster classes will get a final qualifying session at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, with eliminations starting at 12:45 p.m. Pre-race ceremonies and pro class eliminations will begin at 3:25 p.m.
Spectator tickets for the North vs. South Shootout are available for $15 for Thursday testing, $20 for Friday or $25 for Saturday, while a weekend pass is available for $50. Kids 11 and under get in free with a paid adult ticket. Tickets are available at www.PDRA660.com.
This story was originally published on June 21, 2021. 
