Two of the biggest names in drag racing broadcasting will come together again to inform and entertain Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) fans and participants.
Al Tucci and Brian Olson, once a fixture together on ADRL trackside announcing, will cover all PDRA events for its inaugural 2014 season. Each commentator has his own strengths and larger-than-life personality, as well as nearly three decades of experience.
Al Tucci
Tucci, who got his start announcing for track operators Broadway Bob and Jim Ledford and has announced both in the US and internationally, is looking forward to being “The Voice” of the PDRA.
“I try to make people feel like they are a part of this family. I like to live for the moment. I’ve always been that way. I try to bring people in, draw them into the PDRA family and make them feel like they are a part of things. You could almost call it a ride-along. I help people experience everything from junior dragsters all the way to the fastest pro mods so they can feel what the driver is going through,” Tucci said.
“I’m just extremely excited for the opportunity to work with the PDRA; to be a part of this new thing and be back with my friends and family again,” Olson added. “I think that’s the most important part of this, the friendship and camaraderie.”
PDRA fans and participants will enjoy much more than the expected public address announcements with features like pit, winner’s circle and top end interviews, as well as online live feed. With Tucci and Olson bringing behind-the-wheel experience to their audience, they not only talk the talk, they’ve walked the walk.
Brian Olson
Tucci and Olson complement each other well, with Tucci’s high energy excitement drawing in crowds while Olson’s mechanical expertise satisfies the technical minds.
“I look forward to reuniting with Al Tucci,” continued Olson, who has also worked with the NHRA and IHRA, as well as in voice overs for Lucas Oil on the Edge and MAV TV. “We have a lot of fun together, a lot of fun. With his ability to work a crowd with the comedic part of things and my ability to try to figure things out mechanically, because I’m a mechanical guy, we make a great one-two punch.”
Tucci is eager to see the expected achievements of this racer-owned-and-operated organization first hand.
“The PDRA is a different type of ownership. It’s great for racers because the brain cell are racers, and it’s great for fans because the promoters are racers and they know firsthand what the crowds want to see,” Tucci said.
“I’m glad for these guys. It’s going to be great to watch PDRA history one pass at a time and have the honor of bringing everyone into the action.”
(Photos by Ian Tocher; Click to enlarge)
This story was originally published on March 21, 2014. 
