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NORWALK, Ohio (May 19, 2025) – Now two races into the 2025 season, the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series heads to the Buckeye State for the third stop on its eight-race tour, the PDRA American Doorslammer Challenge presented by Callies, May 22-24, at Summit Motorsports Park. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and thrilling performances, the American Doorslammer Challenge will bring the PDRA’s signature lineup of all-out doorslammer action to one of the premier dragstrips in the country, setting the stage for another memorable weekend of high-horsepower competition.
“We always look forward to racing at Summit Motorsports Park,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director, PDRA. “The Bader family has built one of the most impressive facilities in the sport, and their commitment to creating a first-class experience for racers and fans is second to none. The passion and energy from the Ohio drag racing community is incredible. The fans in this area love Pro Modified drag racing and truly appreciate the level of competition we bring. It’s a special stop on our tour, and we’re excited to put on a show for them again this year.”
The PDRA’s co-headlining categories, Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous and WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive, have seen series-record participation levels to start the season. With Midwest-based drivers joining the mix at Norwalk, robust fields are expected at the American Doorslammer Challenge as well.
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Pro Nitrous young gun Marcus Butner is the points leader going into Norwalk after winning the most recent event on tour, the Travis Mills Foundation Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Red Line Shirt Club at Virginia Motorsports Park. He wheeled his Jay Cox-tuned, Musi-powered “Heartbreaker” ’69 Camaro to a final-round victory over rookie Amber Denton, who’s second in points. Denton, a two-time Pro 632 world champion, reached the final in just her second start in the class. Her father, three-time Pro Nitrous world champion Tommy Franklin, sits third with a runner-up finish and a No. 1 qualifier award.
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Norwalk is the home race for Pro Boost points leader Melanie Salemi, who won the season opener in Eddie Whelan’s screw-blown Al-Lee Installations “Purple Reign” ’68 Firebird. The Buffalo-based driver has competed regularly at Summit Motorsports Park and will be competing in front of family and friends this weekend. She’ll face challengers like two-time and reigning world champion Jason Harris, who won the event in 2023 and enters the weekend second in points with a runner-up finish at the last race. Johnny Camp, who also calls Norwalk his home stop on the tour, is third with a runner-up to Salemi at the season opener.
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Liberty’s Gears Pro Street presented by Menscer Motorsports newcomer Blake Denton accumulated a solid points lead in the first two races, earning a win and a runner-up. The 2023 Super Street world champion also qualified No. 1 at both races driving the nitrous-fed “Bonnie” ’69 Camaro formerly driven by the late Lizzy Musi. Another young gun in the class, defending event winner Ethan Steding, is the latest winner on tour, putting him second in points going into his home race. Two-time world champion Tim Essick is third thanks to consistent semifinal finishes at both races.
For the first time in his career, North Carolina’s Jeremy Huffman is the points leader in AED Competition Fuel Systems Extreme Pro Stock following his first career win at the Mid-Atlantic Showdown in his 3V Performance-powered ’10 Cobalt. Two past world champions are in pursuit. Two-time and reigning world champion Chris Powers sits second with a win at the season opener and No. 1 qualifier awards at both races. Alan Drinkwater, the 2023 world champion, is in third chasing his first win of the season to supplement runner-up and semifinal finishes.
A PDRA Pro 632 presented by PTC Torque Converters world championship has eluded Walter Lannigan over the course of his consistent career in the class, but he’s looking to change that this season. With a win and a semifinal finish in Chris Holdorf’s Nelson-powered C&C Concrete Pumping ’10 GTO, Lannigan is the points leader. Ohio’s own Jeff Melnick, the 2023 world champion, raced to the final round at the most recent event, putting him second in the standings. Lexi Tanner, the runner-up to Lannigan at the season opener, is third.
A pair of second-generation small-tire racers have locked horns for the points lead in PDRA Super Street presented by Brian’s Heating & Cooling. Austin Vincent took over the lead by just a few points when he earned his first career win in his Vincent Performance ’88 Mustang at the last race on tour. His No. 1 qualifier awards at both races put him just ahead of defending event winner Connor McGee, who won the season opener and reached the semis at Virginia. Another young gun, Matt Schalow, currently sits third in points but suffered a major setback at the last race when he walked away from a crash in eliminations.
The American Doorslammer Challenge will also feature intense competition in the PDRA’s sportsman categories, where the points leaders are Ron Whitlock in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Alan O’Brien in Laris Motorsports Insurance Elite Top Dragster presented by Greenbrier Excavating & Paving, Ken Langlois in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman, and Nick Meloni in Laris Motorsports Insurance Top Dragster presented by Derrick Wolfe Trucking. Northern Ohio’s dense population of bracket racers will have the opportunity to compete in the event through Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by COMP Cams.
Makinze Alexander has maintained her the points lead in Paragon Pro Jr. Dragster presented by Philadelphia Racing Products with a win and a runner-up finish. The top three are stacked up in Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster presented by Philadelphia Racing Products, where Will O’Brien recently took over the points lead.
American Doorslammer Challenge competitors will have the opportunity to test on Thursday, while sportsman qualifying kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. Jr. Dragster qualifying will begin Friday at 8:30 a.m., while pro qualifying sessions are set for noon, 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. Saturday’s on-track activities begin with Jr. Dragster final qualifying at 8:30 a.m., with pre-race ceremonies and the first round of pro eliminations at noon. The FuelTech Winner’s Circle is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now for $20 for Thursday, $25 for Friday, and $30 for Saturday. Discounted junior and kids tickets are also available, while kids 5 and under get in free. Tickets can be purchased at www.PDRA660.comor at the gate.
PDRA fans around the world can catch all the action live on the official event live stream through www.FloRacing.com.
Photos by Tara Bowker
