Past PDRA Top Sportsman Champ Nick Meloni Adds Top Dragster World Championship
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Dec. 4, 2024) – Just three seasons after winning the PDRA Top Sportsman world championship, New Hampshire bracket racer Nick Meloni became a Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series world champion again as he won the Laris Motorsports Insurance Top Dragster presented by Younce RV title to conclude the 2024 season. Meloni delivered a clutch performance at the season finale to secure the championship, adding to one other win in three total final-round appearances. He also finished No. 10 in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman presented by Corbin's RV.
Behind the wheel of the Nesbitt-powered TT Motorsports '16 Dan Page dragster, Meloni reached the final round at the second race of the season, the Mid-Atlantic Showdown at Virginia Motorsports Park. Later in the year, he scored a big win at the inaugural Thunder Valley Throwdown at Bristol Dragway. That put him within striking distance of points leader Lucas Salemi going into the Brian Olson Memorial World Finals at Virginia.
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After qualifying, Meloni was three rounds and one point behind Salemi. The door opened for Meloni when Salemi lost in Saturday night's first round of eliminations. He had to win the next three rounds of competition on Sunday, and he took that a couple steps further by winning the event.
"This is special because I've been driving good all year, but I woke up this morning not even focused on the championship," Meloni said in the winner's circle. "I said, 'I'm just gonna focus on winning the race, and winning the race is gonna win the championship.' I drove good and I'm pretty proud. I don't get much excitement, but I'm pretty excited. I was happy."
This championship race was quite a bit tighter than Meloni's Top Sportsman championship season in 2021 when won the title by nearly 1,000 points. He proved once again that he's one of the most versatile drivers in fast bracket racing.
"It means a lot to get it in both classes," Meloni said. "I have IHRA trophies in Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. I have NHRA Wallys in Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. It took me a few years to get a PDRA 660 Man, but now I have both championships and 660 Men, so it means a lot. I love winning. I've come in second a couple of times in this car and it's nice to finish it off and get it done."
Like many successful racers, Meloni realizes he couldn't have done this alone.
"I'd really like to thank TT Motorsports – Tommy and Paula and Tiana – for always having the faith in me," Meloni said. "I appreciate all my friends that always come and root for me. I especially have to thank Ava [daughter] and Kaitlyn [girlfriend] for sure. I really couldn't do it without them. They're my biggest supporters."
Meloni also gave a shoutout to the PDRA staff for their efforts throughout the 2024 season.
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"I know a lot of guys are finally realizing PDRA is the place to race," Meloni said. "In my 22 years of racing, there's nobody that treats you like PDRA people treat you. The track safety, the track prep, the friendliness, everywhere. Everybody should come racing here."
Salemi in his supercharged MSR Performance '07 S&W dragster finished second on the strength of one win in two final-round appearances. Virginia's Troy Williams drove his Troy Williams Racing '10 Miller dragster to consistent late-round finishes, including a runner-up to Meloni at the World Finals, to finish third in points.
The Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series will celebrate its 2024 world champions at the annual PDRA Championship Awards Banquet on Friday, Dec. 13 in downtown Indianapolis.
Photo by Gary Rowe