Wes Buck has just wrapped the running of the 2024 Drag IllustrateD World Series of Pro Mod presented by Johnson ’ s Horsepowered Garage and J & A Service .
Even though the event has ended , he says , “ We ’ re just getting started .”
The $ 100,000-to-win WSOPM concludes with a remarkable display of sportsmanship . Both finalists , Jim Halsey and Derek Ward , demonstrate a true spirit of fair play by allowing each other to compete to their fullest and making necessary repairs to their Pro Mod machines .
Buck , who lives up to his word when he says he takes care of his racers , was there to ensure that both Halsey and Ward had a fair shot at writing their name in history . The event promoter and
Drag IllustrateD founder and editorial director has just walked off the starting line after witnessing Ward cross the finish line first at Bradenton Motorsports Park .
Buck is riding the wave of energy and adrenaline , celebrating with those around him , and says , “ I hardly have words for what we just witnessed . Three days , I believe , that will live forever in infamy . There ’ s something special happening here , and these men and women in doorslammer drag racing deserve a platform like this .
“ 2023 was the proof of concept . 2024 was the year to show consistency . 2025 is the year when we start cooking with gas . That ’ s when the magic starts to happen , and I honestly cannot wait for next spring to make our pilgrimage down here to Florida and put on the biggest , richest Pro Mod drag race in the history of the known universe ,” he adds , as champagne continues to flow , money hides the asphalt , and photos are taken in the winner ’ s circle behind him .
Now that some time has passed and Buck has reflected on the 2024 installment of the WSOPM , he sits down with the DI team for an in-depth discussion .
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It was another record-book year at the WSOPM , not only with Derek Ward claiming the title but everything that led up to that point over the weekend , plus other monumental happenings during those three days at Bradenton Motorsports Park . Let ’ s rewind and take us through the final round between Derek Ward and Jim Halsey from your perspective .
That final round , albeit Jim Halsey wasn ’ t able to make the trip , the car made it probably not a couple of hundred feet before it shook the tires ,
IN ITS SECOND YEAR AT BRADENTON MOTORSPORTS PARK , THE WORLD SERIES OF PRO MOD BROUGHT AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND TO ITS RACERS AND FANS WITH ANOTHER RECORD-SETTING PRO MOD FIELD .
and he cut the power off and lived to race another day while Derek Ward streaked to victory . To see a nitrous car in the final , to see a titan of Pro Modified drag racing … I think it could easily be argued that Jim Halsey ’ s on the Pro Modified Mount Rushmore – the guy is without question one of the best to ever do it . [ Halsey ] has done it all – first nitrous Pro Mod into the fives , multi-time PDRA world champion , dominating everywhere he went . He ’ s been in the sport for 30 years , so to see him in the final was a big deal for me . It was a guy that I ’ ve looked up to and been a fan of for a long , long time .
Then , Derek Ward meant something different to me . Derek Ward winning the World Series of Pro Mod was very similar to the story we had in ’ 23 with Spencer Hyde coming out of left field . He was a late invite . He was somebody that I had actually not considered . He was on my list , but he wasn ’ t on the shortlist . Derek , to me , was that inspirational win that we needed . Seeing him at the end , I think , was just this incredible thing that kind of keeps the dream alive for the guys that don ’ t have a gazillion dollars , that don ’ t have all
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