After another memorable weekend in the Midwest, PDRA series director Tyler Crossnoe took a moment to reflect on the incredible success of the 2025 PDRA Northern Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.
“There were so many storylines on and off track, I cannot even begin to describe them all,” Crossnoe shared in a post-event recap, still buzzing from a packed house, wild side-by-side racing, and unforgettable moments shared with racing royalty.
From the jump, the Northern Nationals delivered. A massive crowd of fired-up Michigan race fans poured into the historic U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, cheering loudly through every round of qualifying and eliminations. Crossnoe noted the electric energy in the stands, crediting the Peterson family and the entire U.S. 131 crew for creating an ideal environment for racers and fans alike.
“A packed house of smiling, happy, and eager race fans that cheered on their picks all day long,” Crossnoe said. “That was one of my favorite parts of the weekend. You could feel how much it meant to them.”
The event also featured a special guest appearance by John Bandimere Jr., the legendary promoter behind Bandimere Speedway, who was on site to ride shotgun in Larry Dixon’s Nitro x2 two-seat Top Fuel Dragster experience. “Getting to interview John Bandimere and see him suit up for a run down the track was surreal,” Crossnoe added. “Seeing the entire Bandimere family was a great surprise.”
While the on-track action brought no shortage of drama – including Amber Franklin-Denton’s emotional first Pro Nitrous win and Randy Weatherford’s return to the winner’s circle in Pro Boost – Crossnoe made a point to highlight the team effort behind the scenes.
He expressed deep gratitude to his longtime friend and PDRA announcer Scotty Gore, as well as photo talents Gary Rowe and Capri Wesley, who captured the sights and spirit of the event from every angle.
“We hope you all had as much fun this weekend as we did,” Crossnoe wrote. “The racing was incredible, the stories were endless, and the vibes were unmatched. Can’t wait to do it again.”
This story was originally published on August 3, 2025. 
