4/20/2026
Keith Haney
Keith Haney Racing goes to the Finials
What started as a last-minute change of plans turned into a statement weekend for Keith Haney and the Keith Haney Racing team at the PDRA East Coast Nationals in Benson.
After the Mid-West Drag Racing Series season opener at Xtreme Raceway Park was postponed due to weather and rescheduled as the Ronnie Hobbs World Finals for November, Haney made the call to head east, and made his presence known immediately.
Rolling in unannounced Wednesday night, Haney wasted no time getting up to speed. During Thursday testing, he made three clean passes, including a strong 3.68.
In tough daytime conditions, Haney jumped to the provisional No. 1 spot in qualifying with a 3.693 at over 206 mph. A 3.729 in the second session placed him second behind Marcus Butner heading into the final round under the lights.
As conditions improved, so did the field. With a tight bump at 3.756, Haney stepped it up with a 3.665 at over 206 mph, ultimately qualifying sixth and setting up a first-round matchup with Billy Albert.
Haney opened eliminations with a wire-to-wire win, using a .031 reaction time and a 3.714 to defeat Albert’s .054 and 3.747. In round two, he advanced when teammate Mike Achenbach went red by just .011 seconds.
In the semifinals against Buddy Perkinson, staging issues caused confusion, but both drivers raced. Haney took the win with a 3.664 to Perkinson’s 3.691. In a show of sportsmanship, Perkinson declined a rerun, keeping the result on the track.
The final was set: Tommy Franklin vs. Haney—PDRA vs. MWDRS.
Haney cut a near-perfect .007 light to Franklin’s .089 and took the early lead. But just past 60 feet, trouble struck. Smoke and sparks erupted, and by 330 feet, flames forced Haney to shut it off. He coasted to a 3.966 at 148 mph while Franklin drove around for the win.
Despite the tough finish, Haney proved this team can compete anywhere.
The engine has been sent to Pat Musi Racing Engines for repairs as the team prepares for the MWDRS opener at Osage Casino & Hotel Tulsa Raceway Park.
Thank you to Brandon Switzer, Steve Cooks, Bobby & Jordan Savedra, and Adam Engnes for being the best crew in the game.
?? - RacingOutlawz
Article Credit: Kyle Christ
Submitted By: Keith Haney
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