Battle Rages on in Flatout Gaskets Pro Nitrous Wars

PITTSBORO, N.C. (June 17, 2016): Four events have thus far produced only two unique engine builder wins in the PDRA Flatout Gaskets Pro Nitrous Wars, which awards the number one qualifier at each event with the coveted Nitrous Bottle Trophy to parade and adorn, giving team bragging rights until the next event. Musi Racing Engines swept the first three events showing incredible power. The fourth stop on the PDRA tour finally saw an end to Musi’s reign as Steve Jackson took his Reher-Morrison engine to the number one spot.

Tommy Franklin swept the first event as number one qualifier and inaugural Nitrous Wars winner with his Musi engine and then winning the season opener at its postponed location in Rockingham, N.C. At the Spring Nationals Dean Marinis showed he could run with the best of Pro Nitrous by going straight to the top of the pack and securing his place as a Nitrous Wars contender. Unfortunately, Marinis had an on track incident that prohibited him from competing in eliminations. It would be the Carolina Kid, Travis Harvey, taking the Spring Nationals win under Sonny’s power. Musi’s own Lizzy Musi ran to the top of the pack at the Texas Nationals in fine fashion, resetting the National Speed Record with her 3.727 at 204.98 miles per hour run. Jay Cox, one of only two competitors to run a Buck Racing Engine in Pro Nitrous, achieved his second consecutive final at the event, besting his runner up finish at Rockingham with a win in Texas. He would go on to take another win in Martin, Mich. although a number one qualifier and Flatout Gaskets Nitrous Wars trophy still elude him. It was “Stevie Fast” Jackson who would finally break the Musi Racing Engines streak. At the Summer Nationals Jackson powered to a number-one-worthy 3.763 thanks to his Reher-Morrison powerplant.
 
 
Although Musi has had a dominant lead in the Flatout Gaskets Nitrous Wars, there has been enough diversity in rounds won to set up an interesting scenario for Pro Nitrous Championship Points. The top four drivers in points each represent a different engine builder. Although he has yet to hoist the Nitrous Wars trophy, his three final round appearances with two wins has put Jay Cox (Buck Racing Engines) in first by a little over 400 points. Travis Harvey (Sonny’s Racing Engines) sits in second, less than 100 points ahead of Tommy Franklin (Musi Racing Engines). Steve Jackson (Reher-Morrison Racing Engines) is just 112 points out of third.

While on-track performances have maybe lessened the need for much of the braggadocious internet talk that happened during the off-season, it has fueled the top contenders to work harder for wins. And if one rambles through the Pro Nitrous pits, it quickly becomes evident that smack talk is alive and well, good natured or otherwise.

To further up the ante Cox, Harvey, Franklin and Jackson have put up money for a grudge style, winner-take-all event at the upcoming North-South Shootout at Maryland International Raceway, July 14-16. For this race within a race, $5000 is on the line, but, perhaps more importantly, so are bragging rights. The first round will take place during the last round of qualifying on Friday evening at MIR. The two winners will come back to close out the night with an epic final round pairing. As always, the entire event will be broadcast live on via MotorManiaTV.com. Tune in to watch the biggest matchups in Pro Nitrous history take place live.

Follow PDRA on Facebook for sneak peaks into how drivers and engine builders are preparing for the Pro Nitrous grudge match and how the current Flatout Gaskets Nitrous Wars Champ is enjoying his reign.

Photo: Gary Rowe / RaceWorks.com / PDRA660.com


ABOUT THE PDRA

Based in Pittsboro, North Carolina, the Professional Drag Racers Association is the top sanctioning body in the United States for the sport of eighth-mile drag racing. The PDRA’s professional categories include Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Pro Boost, and Pro Extreme Motorcycle along with Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Pro Jr. Dragster, and Top Jr. Dragster. The 2016 PDRA schedule consists of nine national events. For more on the world’s premier eighth mile drag racing organization visit www.pdra660.com.
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PRESS CONTACT: Lisa Collier
Professional Drag Racers Association
lisa@pdra660.com
704.692.4636