The Drag Illustrated Winter Series is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated events in modern drag racing, and if the latest episode of Shake and Bake is any indication, the excitement is already at a fever pitch. Hosts Stevie “Fast” Jackson and Lyle Barnett, joined by Courtney Enders, delivered a no-holds-barred preview of the series, with bold predictions, some fiery trash talk, and an overwhelming sense of anticipation for what’s to come.
The Winter Series kicks off at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, held at the iconic Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida. With over 60 cars expected to vie for a spot in the 32-car Pro Mod field, it’s a grueling test of talent, tuning, and nerves. Stevie Jackson, a two-time NHRA Pro Mod champion, didn’t hold back in hyping up the competition. “This is going to be the event where the baddest men and women in drag racing come to fight it out,” Jackson said. “If you qualify for this show, you’ve already done something incredible. You’re not getting in unless you’re bringing your A-game.”
The Pro Mod class is attracting some serious star power, including reigning NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown and six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Erica Enders. Both drivers are stepping out of their usual lanes to battle the Pro Mod regulars, a crossover that Jackson and Barnett welcomed with open arms—and a bit of trash talk. “Antron’s coming down here thinking it’s going to be easy,” Barnett joked. “But this is the jungle. You’ve got to be ready to go to war, and I’m not letting anyone steal my spotlight.”
Enders, meanwhile, is embracing the challenge, albeit cautiously. “This came together fast,” she admitted. “I’ve never driven a ProCharger car, but I’m ready to adapt. This is a different atmosphere, and I’m here to show I can hang.” The addition of Brown and Enders, alongside No Prep Kings stars and other NHRA veterans, further solidifies the Winter Series as a proving ground for drag racing’s elite.
Jackson, Barnett, and Enders all praised the unique environment of the Winter Series. Unlike the structured world of NHRA national events, the Snowbirds and its follow-ups—the U.S. Street Nationals and the World Series of Pro Mod—offer a more relaxed but equally competitive vibe. For fans, it’s a chance to get closer to the action, with packed grandstands and a buzz that harkens back to the golden era of grassroots drag racing. “The energy at Bradenton is like nothing else,” Jackson said. “It’s the kind of place where you can smell the rubber, feel the horsepower, and talk trash face-to-face in the staging lanes.”
Enders agreed, adding that these races feel more personal. “It’s about the cars, the competition, and the fans,” she said. “It’s what drag racing is supposed to be.”
The episode was packed with bold predictions for the bump spot (Jackson pegged it at 3.66, while Barnett said 3.64), debates over fajitas (yes, that happened), and playful rivalries. While Jackson declared himself ready to dominate, Barnett was quick to fire back. “The only time that red car of yours is going to be in front of me, Stevie, is in the staging lanes,” Barnett quipped. “When the lights drop, it’s over.”
As the discussion shifted to the broader implications of the Winter Series, all three agreed on one thing: this is drag racing’s biggest offseason stage. From the Snowbirds to the World Series of Pro Mod, it’s a chance to showcase the Pro Mod class as one of the most competitive and entertaining in all of motorsports. “This is what drag racing needs,” Enders said. “A stage to let drivers, cars, and fans come together without the usual constraints. It’s going to be a blast.”
The Drag Illustrated Winter Series kicks off with the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals on December 6. With a field stacked with legends, champions, and rising stars, it’s set to be a can’t-miss event for drag racing fans. And if the energy from Shake and Bake is any indication, the battles on track will be as fierce as the trash talk off it. “Come ready to race, or don’t come at all,” Jackson said with a grin. “Because this is where champions are made.”
This story was originally published on December 1, 2024. 
