Sun, 08 Dec 2024, 08:53 AM Inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series to Kick Off at Snowbird Outlaw Nationals

Courtesy of Drag Illustrated on behalf of Bradenton Motorsports Park Photos by Chris Sears

Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks
Bradenton Motorsports Park
Bradenton, Florida
December 5-8, 2024

BRADENTON, Fla. - After battling for world championships and race wins in numerous different sanctioning bodies and series all season, Pro Modified drivers from across North America and beyond will converge on Bradenton Motorsports Park this weekend, Dec. 5-8, for the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks. The $50,000-to-win event marks the start of the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service, a three-race, eighth-mile Pro Mod series paying out more than $300,000 in event purses and championship bonuses. The Snowbirds will also feature competition in several additional classes like Pro 275, Limited Drag Radial, Outlaw 632, and more, as well as the fan-favorite Night of Fire with numerous jet-powered vehicles.

The "Boneshaker" Jet Truck

"The Snowbird Outlaw Nationals has always been one of our biggest races of the year, and it's only getting bigger this year," said Victor Alvarez, track owner and promoter, Bradenton Motorsports Park. "The Snowbirds is one last chance for racers in some of the most exciting classes in drag racing to race for big money before the 2024 season is over. The Night of Fire on Saturday is a huge hit with fans, especially all the young families that come out to the track to see the jet cars.

"This year, the fact that the Snowbirds is the kick-off for the inaugural DI Winter Series is going to take this race over the top," Alvarez added. "Fans are going to see the best drivers, teams, and cars in outlaw Pro Modified racing competing for big money and points towards the Winter Series championship, and that all starts at the Snowbirds."

Along with the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, the DI Winter Series presented by J&A Service will include the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission on Jan. 23-26, 2025; and the World Series of Pro Mod Feb. 27-March 1, 2025. Each race will feature more than 50 invited drivers attempting to qualify for the 32-car fields. The driver who earns the most points across all three races will be crowned the DI Winter Series champion, an achievement that comes with a $25,000 bonus and a custom championship ring.

2023 Pro Mod winner Lyle Barnett

The invitation-only list of Pro Mod competitors features an all-star cast of drivers from Pro Modified and beyond. That includes past Snowbirds winners like Lyle Barnett and Melanie Salemi and past World Series of Pro Mod champions Derek Ward and Spencer Hyde, but also NHRA pro class stars like four-time and reigning Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown and six-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders. Brown, who won the 2022 Snowbirds in his Pro 275 debut, is making his Pro Mod debut. Enders, who still holds the NHRA Pro Mod speed record, is returning to Pro Mod. The entry list also includes several drivers from Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings who will be competing in Pro Mod for the first time.

"The DI Winter Series will feature the most competitive and diverse group of Pro Modified drivers ever assembled in one place," said Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated founder and Winter Series co-promotor. "Fans are going to see matchups they've never seen before. Drivers from outside of Pro Mod racing - and even outside doorslammer racing - are joining Pro Mod just to compete in this series. The best crew chiefs, tuners, engine builders, chassis builders, and manufacturers in the industry have been working overtime to prepare for this three-race stretch starting at the Snowbirds. Together, we're going to make history at Bradenton Motorsports Park this winter."

2023 Pro 275 winner Marcus Birt

The Snowbird Outlaw Nationals will also include $15,000-to-win Precision Shaft Technologies Pro 275 presented by Mickey Thompson Tires and $10,000-to-win Callies Performance Products Limited Drag Radial presented by Energy Manufacturing, as well as TBM Brakes Outlaw 632 presented by Rife Sensors and TRZ Motorsports Ultra Street presented by Precision Turbo & Engine, which both pay $7,500 to win. The Florida N/T Racing No-Time Shootout presented by Pro Line Racing will pay $7,500 to the winner. The Larry Jeffers Race Cars No-Time Truck Shootout presented by Innovative Racecraft also has a $7,500 winner-take-all prize.

Saturday's schedule features the Jet Jam Night of Fire with Rick Knobb's "Boneshaker" Jet Truck, Hayden Profitt II's "Hot Streak" Jet Truck, and the Larsen Motorsports Jet Dragsters.

The lineup is rounded out by index racing in the 5.50, 6.50, and 7.50 index classes, Jr. Dragsters, and the 4.60 bike class.

Pre-race testing will take place Monday through Thursday in preparation for Friday's two qualifying sessions at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., with jet shows set for 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eliminations will begin Sunday at 9 a.m.

General admission tickets are available for $30 per day on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, while tickets for Saturday's Night of Fire are $40. Active military and children ages 11 and under get in free. Fans can also watch the race through the official event livestream on www.FloRacing.com.

For a detailed schedule, tickets, and other event info, visit www.RaceBMP.com.

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