PDRA: 2023 North vs. South – Pro Nitrous Motorcycle
PDRA Report prepared by Drag Illustrated
BRAYDEN DAVIS WINS!
Seventeen-year-old Brayden Davis made headlines at the season-opening East Coast Nationals when he became the first racer in PDRA history to double-up in a pro class and a Jr. Dragster class. It was his Pro Nitrous Motorcycle debut, and he warned the class that he’s there to follow in the footsteps of his father, four-time world champion Travis Davis. He sent a reminder at Maryland, winning for the second time in three races. He also won in Pro Jr. Dragster again, which expanded to a 32-car field since his last win.
In the Pro Nitrous Motorcycle final round, Davis started with a .009 reaction time advantage over past world champion Chris Garner-Jones and followed through with a 3.976 at 176.37 to beat Garner-Jones’ 3.989 at 165.21.
“This is better than the first one,” said Davis, who thanked parents Travis and Brandy Davis, Stuart Crane with Warpspeed Racing, Timblin Chassis, Monster Race Products, Fast By Gast, Worldwide Bearings, and Perry’s Performance. “The first one was really unbelievable for me, and then to come out here and do it again, it’s hard to do it out here. The bike class is tough. The Jr. Dragster class is tough. I got the best of the best – my dad and my mom and the equipment we have. It’s all on me. It’s never on them. It’s usually me that screws us up. We were fortunate enough to get it done here. It was kind of smooth sailing this weekend.”
Davis started eliminations with a monster matchup against multi-time world champion Eric McKinney, leaving first and running a 4.022 at 175.68 to beat McKinney’s 4.05. Second-round opponent Jay Fisher broke after leaving the starting line, while Davis stepped up to a 3.982 at 176.07 to earn lane choice in the semis. A consistent 3.983 at 176.42 gave him the win light over points leader Meshal Al-Saber and his 3.992.
To Read the full event coverage by Drag Illustrated, click here.
QUALIFYING
PDRA Racing qualifying at Maryland International Raceway was disrupted due to weather. Still, after two completed qualifying rounds, Paul Gast grabbed the number one qualifying spot in the Drag965 Pro Nitrous Motorcycle class with a 4.01.
1. Paul Gast / 4.012 / 172.72
2. Chris Garner Jones / 4.024 / 175.41
3. Ashley Owens 4.041 / 174.59
4. Eric McKinney / 4.068 / 175.25
5. Mohammed Alawad / 4.082 / 173.38
6. Tyron Lemons / 4.086 / 172.12
7. Brayden Davis / 4.133 / 172.32
8. Jay Fisher / 4.315 / 165.50
9. Terry Wynn / 4.659 / 131.48
10. Meshal Alsabar / 6.728. / 65.72
2023 Schedule
March 30 – April 1 / GALOT Motorsports Park / Benson, NC
April 20-22 / Virginia Motorsports Park / Dinwiddie, VA
May 25-27 / Summit Motorsports Park / Norwalk, OH
June 15-17 / Maryland International Raceway / Budds Creek, MD
July 21-22 / PRO STARS Night of Fire /Virginia Motorsports Park / Dinwiddie, VA
August 3-5 / US 131 Motorsports Park / Martin, MI
September 14-16 / Darlington Dragway / Hartsville, SC
October 5-7 / GALOT Motorsports Park/ Benson, NC
October 19-22 / Virginia Motorsports Park / Dinwiddie, VA
ABOUT THE PDRA
Celebrating its 10th season in 2023, 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 Boost, Pro Nitrous, Extreme Pro Stock, Pro Nitrous Motorcycle, Pro 632, and Pro Street. The series also features sportsman racing in Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Pro Jr. Dragster and Top Jr. Dragster. The 2023 PDRA schedule consists of eight national events, plus the Summit Racing Equipment PDRA ProStars. For more information on the PDRA, visit www.pdra660.com. Follow the PDRA: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.
