Kyle Koretsky is likely out of the mix to win an NHRA Pro Stock world championship this season.

However, he did play his part as spoiler grabbing the No. 1 qualifying spot at the Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas Saturday.

Koretsky, who drives for the KB Titan Racing team, clocked a 6.589-second elapsed time at 205.66 mph in Q4 Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We didn’t give up after Q1 making a good run, they kept digging and we got better and better every round,” Koretsky said. “That just shows the dedication from KB Titan. The last few races we have been real behind, and they keep pushing me, trying to make me better and we need to keep on going.”

Koretsky, who arrived in Vegas eighth in the points standings, claimed the fourth No. 1 qualifier of his career and first this season. Koretsky will meet Jerry Tucker out of the Elite Motorsports stable in the first round Sunday.

Koretsky was fifth in the points standings after the Reading, Pa., event, but has since dropped to eighth after three consecutive first-round losses.

“My opinion, I think I have the best team out here,” Koretsky said. “They give 110 percent every single time we go down that racetrack and they believe in me. That gives you a lot of confidence as a driver when you have the team behind you giving you confidence as a driver is really important. The last few races have been down and out, but we have not given up yet.”

Kenny Koretsky was and is a proud father, running the roads of the NHRA tour up until the mid-2000s as a Pro Stock driver. Although Kenny isn’t at every race, he’s always keeping tabs on Kyle.

“No one sees him, but he’s there every weekend I race,” Kyle said. “He calls me every single run and before I went out there (in Q4), he said, ‘I think there’s a 58 out there.’  ‘Just do what I taught you, hit your shifts.’ He was the greatest drag racer ever in his eyes. But he’s my hero and he’s taught me a lot and he told me we could do it and we did it. We showed that this KB Titan team keeps on plugging.

“I’m here to get the win for my mom (Karen, who has been battling breast cancer for years). She’s a fighter and we will keep fighting.”

Koretsky has one career Pro Stock win in 2021 and he would love to make it No. 2 on Sunday.

“I think (a win) would do a lot for me personally,” Kyle said. “Pro Stock is tough. To qualify is a win, and to go No. 1 is a win, and to win the race is a bigger win. I think we have a shot. I really do. I never enter a property knowing that we don’t have a shot. I feel like we have a fair shot just like everybody else. You can win from No. 16, or you can win from No. 1.

“I think I need this. I really do. I know everyone wants to win out here, but this weekend is mine. I owe Vegas something and I’m going to try and get the win.”

The roller-coaster ride that has been the 2023 season has been quite the journey for Koretsky.

“I’ve learned that it takes a lot of dedication,” he said. “These guys and girls that are not only on our team, but all the teams, they dedicate their lives to this sport. That shows why NHRA drag racing is so strong. I have a normal job outside of racing and racing is what I love to do, but the guys and girls on our team, this is what they do as a career. This is how they feed their family, and it shows how dedicated they are. I just show up with my helmet and drive and they are giving their 100 percent every single day. They are working 80, 90, 100 hours a week and that just shows their dedication.”