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Circle
Track Legend Wins Top Sportsman 32 Title
PITTSBORO, N.C. (Dec. 5, 2017): Mark Malcuit made his name
in circle track racing. He racked up several championships
and carved his mark on the industry. In 1993 he suffered
an off-track wreck that left him with a broken neck,
effectively ending his circle track career. So nearly 18
years ago he began his career in drag racing. This year,
he celebrates his first drag racing championship as the
MagnaFuel Top Sportsman 32 World Champion.
This was the first year for PDRA’s pilot Top Sportsman
program in which all cars qualify together, and then, if
car count provides, the class is split into an Elite 16
and a regular 32 car field for eliminations. The program
received incredible support as evidenced by 100 Top
Sportsman cars turning out at the World Finals.
Malcuit prefers to run fast and intended to try for the
Elite 16. As luck would have it, he continually found
himself just outside of the top qualifiers and thus inside
the Top Sportsman 32 field.
“Whether I win or I lose, I always try to run fast,”
Malcuit explained. “As it worked out, I would always be
like number 17. I couldn’t run quite fast enough for the
Elite 16. It worked out to my advantage. Part of my luck
was that I wasn’t fast enough to make the Elite 16 and
then I ended up in 32 and got some byes. Just worked out
for me.”
The humble Ohio native was grateful for his lucky draw
this year, thankful for the championship even though it
wasn’t his best season of racing. It’s a year of accolades
for Malcuit, who, just last week, was inducted into the
Tri State Circle Track Hall of Fame.
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“I started racing go karts
when I was 14 years old. I’ve been racing pretty much since then. I went
from go karts to super modifieds to super late models. I raced pretty much
all over from Florida to Canada to the east coast. I did a lot of that for
years. After several years away from the sport, I got involved in drag
racing.
“My brother, Brad, builds engines at Malcuit Racing Engines,” Malcuit
continued, thanking his brother for the role he plays in both their racing
operation and businesses. “We’re also in the excavating business, Red
Malcuit Incorporated, the business that my father started in 1949. I run
the excavating part of it.”
Malcuit also thanks his track crew, Robin Barkley, John Wise, and Mike
Betinis, as well as Scott Pastircak and Charles Duncan back at the engine
shop.
“I want to thank the PDRA for putting on good races,” he added. “I really
enjoy the events and expect the organization to keep growing.”
At 68 years young, Malcuit is proving it’s never too late to make a
championship chase and be a successful racer.
“I'm very fortunate to have won this championship. This year I had a lot
of luck.”
Malcuit has been racing cars for 50 years. And, appropriately, he’ll
receive some gold this anniversary.
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, Extreme Pro Stock and Pro Extreme
Motorcycle along with several sportsman and various
exhibition categories. The 2017 PDRA schedule consists of
eight national events. For more on the world’s premier
eighth-mile drag racing organization visit
www.pdra660.com. Follow the PDRA: Facebook, Instagram,
Youtube.
Photo: Gary Rowe / RaceWorks.com / PDRA660.com
PRESS CONTACT: Lisa Collier
Professional Drag Racers Association
lisa@pdra660.com
704.692.4636
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