Drag racers from 19 states are set to return to Pittsburgh Raceway Park, the IHRA-sanctioned drag racing facility in New Alexandria, for the IHRA Pro-Am and Sportsman National today through Sunday.

More than 300 competitors competed in last year's event, and facility manager Frank Tedesco expects more this weekend despite a sluggish economy.

"Actually, IHRA has seen an increase in competitors attending the Pro-Ams and National events," he said.

He believes the local racers will step up similar to what Britt Mizia of Carnegie did last year in finishing a surprising second in the Stock class.

"If Britt races, it could happen again very easily. Many of our local racers are capable, especially in the Stock and Super Stock categories," Tedesco said.

One big difference from 2008 will be the race surface. Last year, the entire quarter-mile was used. This year, IHRA has decided to move many of the Pro-Ams to eighth-mile events.

The change in the race distance will not only help move the program along more quickly, but it also will put more emphasis on the start. The winner could be decided by starting-line reaction.

"Reaction time will be more important now, and our guys are good," Tedesco said. "We didn't win back-to-back IHRA team finals championships for nothing."

The Pro-Ams will begin with time trials at 9 a.m. today and tomorrow, and eliminations for Sunday's Sportsman National are slated to begin around noon.

For more information on the weekend's event at PRP, go to www.pittsburghracewaypark.com or contact the track at 724-668-7600.

The UFo Race Championship tour returns to Pittsburgh's Pa. Motor Speedway near Imperial at 7 p.m. tomorrow for Twin 31-lap features for the Super Late Models.

The UFo Super Late Model point standings have Alex Ferree of Saxonburg leading South Park's Keith Barbara by 28 points and John Mollick of Toronto, Ohio, by 31.

Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown and Motordrome Speedway in Smithton have all divisions in action today. ... Mercer Raceway Park will be in action tomorrow after three consecutive weeks of rainouts. The BRP Modified Tour is on the card for the $2,000-to-win special. ... Also tomorrow, Sharon Speedway admits fire, police and EMS personnel free with organizational ID. NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Dave Blaney will compete in a sprint car and 15-year old Ryan Blaney, Dave's son, will compete in his first dirt track race with the Limited Sprints. ... Tri-City Speedway in Franklin will have a $2,500-to-win sprint car feature Sunday along with the FASTrak Late Models.