KYE KELLEY rolled into the first race of the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J & A Service as one of the drivers from beyond the Pro Modified ranks who was hoping to make a statement in the three-race Pro Mod series at Bradenton Motorsports Park . As qualifying and eliminations unfolded at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks , it became obvious that Kelley wasn ’ t just a participant , but a serious contender in the Winter Series . Rather than field a purpose-built Pro Mod , Kelley brought his No Prep Kings-legal , screw-blown “ Can ’ t Get Right ” ’ 85 Camaro to
session was complete , Kelley qualified No . 13 out of 64 cars .
In the first-round chip draw on Saturday night , Kelley drew two-time Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association champion Mike Decker Jr . On Sunday , Kelley left first with a . 049 reaction time , and though both drivers struggled with traction , Kelley recovered quicker with a 4.003 at 195.11 to Decker ’ s 9.306 . He then drew Decker ’ s son , 2024 NEOPMA champion Mike “ Hollywood ” Decker III , in the second round . It would ’ ve been a side-by-side race , but Kelley grabbed a sizable starting-line advantage and ran a 3.661 at 204.48 to beat Decker III ’ s 3.662 at 206.64 .
Kelley was on his game yet again in the third
compete against 60-plus elite Pro Mod drivers and teams .
Kelley ’ s incredible weekend began in pre-race testing , where he recorded multiple mid-3.60- second passes , though the scoreboards weren ’ t on . He turned heads once qualifying began , starting with a 3.665 to put him No . 18 after the first session . He improved to a 3.659 in Q2 but slipped to No . 26 to wrap up Friday qualifying . Kelley slipped another couple spots in Q3 , and by the time he made it to the starting line for the final fourth session , he was bumped out of the field . He threw down a 3.621 at 207.21 to move all the way up to No . 2 . By the time the
round , where he cut a . 013 light and ripped off a 3.626 at 205.88 to defeat 2023 World Series of Pro Mod winner Spencer Hyde and his 3.624 on a holeshot . Another holeshot win came in the semifinals , with Kelley laying down a 3.62 at 206.73 to knock out 2023 WSOPM runner-up Kurt Steding , who set low E . T . of race day with his 3.592 at 208.26 .
In the final round , Kelley faced veteran doorslammer driver Ken Quartuccio , who won the 2023 U . S . Street Nationals in Pro Mod at Bradenton . Quartuccio left first in his screwblown ’ 69 Camaro , but he eventually had to lift to a 3.688 at 194.66 . Meanwhile , Kelley threw
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