“ Everything ’ s changed . Nobody knew us last year . I came in under the radar . Nobody was expecting anything out of us . This year , everybody knows who we are .” - SPENCER HYDE , 2023 WSOPM CHAMPION

ROLE REVERSAL : Kaylee Curran ( left ), the official track photographer at Bradenton , is normally on the other side of the camera . Here , she reviews a customer ’ s photos with photographer-in-training Emily Hernandez in the KC Photography trailer .

WORKFLOW : Pro Mod veteran Brandon Pesz prepares his screw-blown “ Head Hunter ” ‘ 53 Corvette for qualifying . The co-owner of PJS Racing Engines found cracks in his chassis , but an overnight trip to Cameron Johnson ’ s CJ Race Cars had Pesz back on track for Saturday ’ s two final sessions .

CALLING THE ACTION : Mike Carpenter , DI ’ s COO and Design & Production Director , joins FloRacing commentator Jason Galvin to provide color commentary during Saturday ’ s thrilling final qualifying session .

THE LAW : Bradenton Motorsports Park General Manager and Tower Coordinator Laurie “ Law ” Johnson watches over the starting line from her post in race control , where she runs the computer and contributes to the overall flow of the event .

MATCHMAKER : DI ’ s Craig Cook , who coordinated the matchups for Rivals Night at WSOPM , takes in the results of his efforts from the starting line on Friday night .

PHOTOGRAPHS BY LUKE NIEUWHOF , SCOTT WITTY , AND CHRIS SEARS

70 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 188