WOMEN OF POWER • 2025

BY NATE VAN WAGNEN • PHOTOGRAPH BY RICK BELDEN

IN THE MALE-DOMINATED world of Pro Modified drag racing, a new chapter is being written by two determined young women who grew up in the sport and are now racing into the spotlight. Amber Denton and Kallee Mills may have taken different routes to get here, but their destinations are strikingly similar: the high-stakes, high-horsepower battlefield that is Pro Mod.

For Denton, it’ s Pro Nitrous in the PDRA, a natural progression from her Pro Jr. Dragster and two-time Pro 632 championship pedigree. The daughter of three-time Pro Nitrous world champion Tommy Franklin, Amber has long been surrounded by some of the best in the business. Now, she’ s proving she belongs among them. Her Pro Mod debut at the U. S. Street Nationals showed glimpses of potential, but it was her breakout performance at the World Series of Pro Mod— and a Pro Nitrous final-round appearance just two races into the PDRA season— that confirmed she’ s not just another rookie. She’ s a serious contender.

Just as Denton’ s name is becoming synonymous with nitrous-assisted excellence, Mills is building her brand in a supercharged Pro Mod in the Mid-West Drag Racing Series. The Oklahoma native and daughter of small-tire icon DeWayne Mills was raised on the gritty, unforgiving no-prep circuit but set her sights early on Pro Mod. After making waves in X275 and No Prep Kings, she’ s now piloting the American Pride“ Scarlett” Camaro, adapting quickly to the fierce competition in Pro Mod. With low-3.60-second performances already under her belt this season, Mills’ transition is more of an evolution than a leap.

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