Special Section
AFTER THE COVID-19 CRISIS EXTENDED THE OFFSEASON BY AN EXTRA TWO MONTHS, THE 2020 PDRA SEASON FINALLY KICKED OFF WITH
THE EAST COAST NATIONALS PRESENTED BY FUELTECH AT GALOT MOTORSPORTS PARK IN BENSON, NORTH CAROLINA. ¶ WHILE SPECTATORS
WEREN’T ALLOWED TO ATTEND DUE TO STATE AND LOCAL GUIDELINES LIMITING PUBLIC GATHERINGS, THE PDRA’S RACERS AND TEAMS SHOWED
UP IN FULL FORCE TO START THE 2020 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON. ¶ FREQUENT RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TESTED THE PATIENCE
OF RACERS AND TRACK OFFICIALS ALIKE, WHILE THE RESULTING HUMIDITY TESTED TUNERS AND EQUIPMENT WHEN THE TRACK WENT HOT.
Sure, there were winners and No. 1
qualifiers and other accomplishments
celebrated by various individuals.
But the event was a victory
for the series as a whole, as it marked
the beginning of a season in a year
that started with uncertainty and
concern. The race was a sign that
racing is back – a good sign indeed
for everyone involved, for those who
use racing as an escape from the
real world and for those whose livelihood
depends on it.
“It’s awesome to be back out,” said
JR Carr, who debuted a brand-new
2020 Camaro in Liberty’s Gears
Extreme Pro Stock. “Everybody’s
been going crazy. This deal, it’s really
sad for a lot of people. A lot of people
losing businesses and stuff, and our
hearts go out to them. It looks like
things are getting better and turning
around. This [race] has definitely
lifted people’s spirits, and a lot of
times, that’s all you need. We’ll take
that too.”
For Scott Bathurst, who owns Classic
Graphix, the official merchandise provider
of the PDRA, it was an easy decision
to bring his trailer to the East
Coast Nationals. Even though there
would be no fans to buy his products,
Bathurst knew he had to be there.
“This is like a family deal,” Bathurst
said. “We want to support the PDRA
no matter what. Whether we make
money or not is not so big, it’s just
being back with the racing family
and getting back out here.”
The Classic Graphix PDRA merchandise
trailer was open Friday and Saturday
during the event. It was staffed
by Bathurst and his son, Chris, who
both flew in from California to work
the event, along with friend Robert
Rogers in from New York. They sold
event T-shirts, as well as new T-shirts,
jackets and other items updated for
the 2020 season.
“With it being the first race of the
year, all the drivers and teams come
up and want to get the new swag
that’s available,” Bathurst said. “We’ll
do well enough with the teams that
it’s worthwhile coming.”
But as Bathurst reiterated, his trip
to the East Coast Nationals wasn’t
so much about selling T-shirts. It
was about seeing the friends he’s
made since 2014 when he started
producing merchandise for the inaugural
PDRA season.
“It’s really like a family out here,”
Bathurst said. “The only time we see
these people is at the track. I’m just
glad to be back out here.”
The family aspect of racing was also
evident in the pits all weekend. It’s
what brought Brunson Grothus out
from Dewitt, Iowa, in a last-minute
decision. While Grothus and his
family usually compete in Drag 965
Pro Nitrous Motorcycle on a regular
36 PDRA660.com