The Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS) made its mark on a generational drag racing event over the weekend, partnering with the Radial Outlaws Racing Series for the inaugural AJPE Shakedown at M-Town at US 131 Motorsports Park. The event lived up to the legacy of the original Shakedown at E-Town with record performances, edge-of-your-seat qualifying battles, and hard-fought eliminations across multiple classes.
More than two decades ago, Dave Hance launched the original Shakedown with the idea of assembling the best in drag racing. That spirit lived on in Michigan, where MWDRS, led by founder Keith Haney and event director Ellen Eschenbacher, a key figure in the early days of the original event, joined forces with Donald “Duck” Long and Eric Dillard of Pro Line Racing to bring the Shakedown name to a new generation.
The collaborative event saw MWDRS award championship points in Pro Mod, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster, while drivers also competed for points in the Radial Outlaws Racing Series. Cool temperatures and tight track prep created prime conditions for standout ETs and drama-filled qualifying rounds.
The Pro Mod field was one of the most competitive in MWDRS history, with multiple 3.60-second runs and heartbreaking bump-outs. Robert Costa’s 3.64 – a time that would typically land comfortably in a 16-car field – initially left him on the outside at No. 17. However, following a withdrawal due to mechanical failure, Costa was reinstated and advanced all the way to the final round.
With eliminations beginning Saturday afternoon, round one was full of upsets, including no. 1 qualifier Mike Stawicki’s 3.642 elimination by no. 16 qualifier Jeff Widener’s 3.566. Then, in the semifinals it was Costa, Pro Mod newcomer Jacob McNeal, former MWDRS world champion Aaron Wells, and Jeff “The Sheriff” Rudolf.
In the final, it was Costa, and Indiana’s Rudolf, who clinched both his first MWDRS win and the title of Shakedown at M-Town Champion with a 3.60 to Costa’s 3.61.
The Slammers class featured a side-by-side final between Jackie Sloan and Craig Sullivan. Sullivan took the win with a career-best 3.57 at 211 mph – the second quickest Pro Mod pass of the event.
In Top Dragster, Lucas Salemi edged out reigning MWDRS champion Jordan Eperjesi in a battle between two of the sport’s most promising drivers. Top Sportsman delivered similar energy, with Jon Vesper taking the win over Tyler Wells in a final that catapulted the Wells/Cannon team into the points lead.
From start to finish, the Shakedown at M-Town lived up to the name’s reputation. The MWDRS now turns its attention to its next stop at Flying H Dragstrip near Kansas City at the end of June before heading into summer break.
This story was originally published on June 4, 2025. 
