Movers & Shakers: DI #187 PRO Superstar Shootout Issue
The Movers & Shakers featured in DI #187, the PRO Superstar Shootout issue, shows just how special the stars of Top Fuel, nitro Funny Car and Pro Stock are. The inaugural SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout presented by Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage fostered many exciting moments at Bradenton Motorsports Park on and off the track by the superstars of the sport.
“We had good crowds, made good laps, and it was a major accomplishment making that eight-car field. There were big names that didn’t make it in, so just to make the show was a feat in and of itself.”
Antron Brown
[Editor’s Note: Photographs by Luke Nieuwhof and Andrew Meneses. This story originally appeared in DI #187, the PRO Superstar Shootout Issue, in March/April of 2024.]
THE VOICES OF THE PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT: Veteran drag racing announcers Al Tucci and Steve Logan keep the fans entertained, informed, and engaged from their spot in the Bradenton Motorsports Park tower. One room over, longtime broadcaster Ralph Sheheen and Funny Car champion Jack Beckman called the action for the FloRacing livestream.
PASSIONATE PERFORMANCE: Jackie Popovec, lead singer of The Vindys, performs the national anthem during pre-race ceremonies at the PRO Superstar Shootout. The Vindys also performed on the SCAG Stage after racing concluded.
THE FAMILY BUSINESS: Third-generation racer Mason McGaha performs some routine maintenance on his Harlow Sammons Racing/Southwest Performance & Machine Pro Stock Camaro with a helping hand from his grandfather, Lester McGaha.
WORKING THE ROPES: Kalitta Motorsports driver J.R. Todd takes time out of his schedule as the driver of the DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car to chat with fans at the ropes between qualifying sessions at the PRO Superstar Shootout.
FAN FAVORITE: Eight-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher remains one of the most popular drivers with fans of all ages, as he snaps a photo with a young fan in the pits.
ROOKIE ADVICE: Motorsports Hall of Famer and team owner turned Top Fuel rookie Tony Stewart chats with iconic former driver and team owner Darrell Gwynn in the pits at Bradenton Motorsports Park, just weeks before Stewart’s Top Fuel debut at the NHRA Gatornationals.
THE BIG STAGE: Drag Illustrated’s Kayla Zadel leads a Q&A session with multi-time NHRA Top Fuel world champions Steve Torrence and Antron Brown on the SCAG Power Equipment main stage at the PRO Superstar Shootout.
PROUD PAPA: One can sense the pride on Fernando Cuadra Sr.’s face as he supports his sons – Fernando Jr., Cristian, and David – as they compete for the $125,000 Pro Stock prize at the PRO Superstar Shootout.
HONORARY GUEST: DI Founder and Editorial Director Wes Buck snaps a quick photo with Florida’s most famous drag racer, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who was at the PRO Superstar Shootout displaying one of his “Swamp Rat” dragsters and generally taking in the scene.
FORCE FAMILY TRADITION: Two-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force spends time signing autographs for the fans, an important part of the business she learned from her father, John Force.
FAN TIME: Tony Stewart Racing teammates Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan sign autographs for fans during one of the numerous PRO Superstar Shootout autograph sessions held at the Drag Illustrated Welcome Center.
FOLDING LAUNDRY: Funny Car pilot Alexis DeJoria, who previously ran her Top Alcohol Funny Car at Bradenton before moving up to the nitro version, packs her parachutes after a run at the PRO Superstar Shootout.
MAMA KAY: Torrence Racing’s Kay Torrence, affectionately known throughout the nitro pits as “Mama Kay,” patiently waits for the Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragsters driven by her husband, Billy Torrence, and son, Steve Torrence, to come to the starting line.
THE RAD MAN: Iconic former nitro racer and Kalitta Motorsports team owner Conrad “Connie” Kalitta looks on as his teams compete at the PRO Superstar Shootout. His nephew, newly crowned NHRA Top Fuel champion Doug Kalitta, went on to win Saturday night.
COOL AS ICE: Hall of Fame driver and crew chief Mark Oswald, who earned the nickname “the Iceman” during his driving days, contemplates some last-minute changes to the setup in the Antron Brown-driven Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster he tunes along with co-crew chief Brian Corradi.
This story was originally published on July 15, 2024.
The post Movers & Shakers: DI #187 PRO Superstar Shootout Issue first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
