Class Ceiling
Recapping the Dirty South No Prep drag racing series event at San Antonio Raceway
By Tery Red (Crew Chief for Mr. Mad /RigTech Motorsports)
Jun 11, 2018, 6:27 am
Mr. Mad made it to the semifinals. Tery Red/SportsMap
The Dirty South No Prep Racing Series San Antonio is the largest event in the USA of its kind.
Not to worry SportsMap is in the house!
This is a crazy event. No prep? Talk about hubris, machismo, bravado!!! No glue? No tractors to evenly administer the adhesive?
Seriously, this event entails no track preparation, which is usually how the cars hook up for a smooth pass and to win rounds. The better prepared the track is, the better traction racers have, the faster your pass may be. It is definitely safer, to be sure. Also of note is the meticulous detail given to ensure safety for driver and fan alike.
However, this event in my words is The Robin Hood of Street Racing. The idea was built as a novel way to knock out the high rollers in the Sportsman Racing World. The establishment of this class was a long awaited venue to give the small fry the upper hand.
To give you an idea of how insane this is, we asked mult -champion , King of the track, veteran racer A.D. Rigmaiden to try out this No Prep Series in the SportsMap Black Camaro.
He quickly realized what No Prep really means as he swayed to and fro as the Camaro was wicked not just off the starting line, but shimmied all the way down the track . He says he felt as though he were in a Funny Car! "This event definitely requires practice and mental readjustment," A.D . said.
Keep in mind that Matt Hagan , two-time NHRA Funny Car Champion was none too happy after the NHRA changed the track prep solution. He stated that there's a lot less grip, everyone's smoking the tires and blowing up. Fast Jack Beckman, Antron Brown, and J.R. Todd have also mentioned their concerns about this change.
Please understand. The NHRA did not discontinue track preparation, they changed the solution from 75% track compound 25 % alcohol, to 65 % track compound to 35 % alcohol. This seemingly simple readjustment has some of the pros troubled. Yet other arenas of racers seem to be thriving with No Track Prep.
Now to the point, there are infamous racers who are legendary because of their mastery of the slick, non-stick asphalt jungle. Mike Murillo (& Mustang LaFawnduh), John Doe , Kayla Morton- Hamilton and Chris "Boosted "Hamilton, (another amazing husband &wife team).
And of course the John Force of Street Outlaws, "Birdman." Yes. James "Birdman" Finny. Just to name a few.
There were also veteran racers of the side by side like Ray Curly Top with a sweet 67 Nova, Mr Don with his cool Blue El Camino (Driven by D.D.) who came to get their feet wet in this No Prep event.
They are the Guardians of The No Prep Galaxy. Their Social Media status is why they pack the stands. These are the ones who put in the work. They eat, sleep and breathe the mechanics of the beast, the strategy of the track . They are major gear heads. They are the guy/girl next door who always gave you a jump, clued you in on the miss in your engine, and changed that tire for you when you were stranded on the side of the road.
Could it be possible that the pros could learn a thing or two from the No Prep Series ? Only Time will reveal.
The Winners:
Big Tire: Birdman
Most Honorable Mention: Mr. Mad made it to the semi-finals in Curly Tops sweet 67 Nova. Not bad for your first rodeo A.D.!
Check out Dirty South No Prep on Facebook for complete results.
Click here for rare footage of Birdman vs Mr. Mad.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!