Photos by Robert Richard
Kye Kelley won the $50,000 prize at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, outpacing the quickest 32-car field in Pro Mod history. Driving his steel-roof-and-quarters ’85 Camaro, Kelley delivered a standout 3.594-second pass at 207.78 mph in the final round, defeating Ken Quartuccio, who finished with a 3.688 at 194.66.
Kelley entered the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series, opting to race his No Prep Kings-legal, screw-blown “Can’t Get Right” ’85 Camaro instead of a purpose-built Pro Mod. After qualifying for the 32-car field, Kelley won four rounds, securing two victories on holeshots.
In the final, Kelley faced Ken Quartuccio, who left first in his ’69 Camaro but had to lift, allowing Kelley to take the win.
“It was all I could do to not wreck the car down there,” Kelley said. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling to even race at this stage. But to win at this stage? I’m just going to live it up. I’m gonna own it because it happened tonight.”
Kelley’s performance was underscored by his quick reaction times, turning in .049, .012, .013, .023, and .033 reaction times in eliminations. His weekend began with strong pre-race testing, followed by impressive qualifying results. He started qualifying with a 3.665, initially placing 18th, but climbed to 13th out of 64 cars with a final session run of 3.621.
In the first round, Kelley faced Mike Decker Jr. and, despite traction issues, advanced with a 4.003 at 195.11. He then defeated Decker’s son, Mike “Hollywood” Decker III, in the second round, followed by victories over more top competitors, including Spencer Hyde and Kurt Steding, both achieved on holeshots.
The term busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger was one that best fit Barnett as he won the Pro 275 title. The doorslammer veteran and past NHRA U.S. Nationals champion also competed over the course of the weekend with a Pro Modified and a Limited Drag Radial entry.
Barnett, driving Tommy Youmans’ ProCharged “Salvage Title” Mustang, beat small-tire veteran Mark Woodruff in the final round.
The No. 1 qualifier, Barnett, recorded a time of 3.742 seconds at 203.03 mph, while Woodruff faced traction issues and finished with an 8.17 at 62.26.
“If you want a better chance at winning a race, bring three cars in three different classes,” Barnett said. He expressed gratitude to car owners Tommy and Cheryl Youmans and noted, “There’s no denying we did not have a great weekend in the Pro Mod, but that can be fixed. We’ll be better come U.S. Street Nationals.”
Barnett reached the winner’s circle after a strong performance throughout the event. He started with a 3.756 at 201.73 on a first-round bye, followed by a 3.754 at 201.49 to defeat Jennifer Brooke’s 4.169 in the second round. In the semifinals, he recorded a 3.668 at 203.98 to advance over a red-lighting Nick Lacerenza.
“This is the first weekend that my little boy’s been at the racetrack with me,” Barnett said. “My wife and my dad and my stepmom are here. It’s the first time I’ve won with everybody here, and it’s special. I’ve raced with my dad my entire life, and for my son to be here for the first time when I’ve won a race, and for him to be here with his grandpa, it’s just what it’s about.”
Winners in other heads-up classes included Lyle Barnett in Precision Shaft Technologies Pro 275, Greg Blevins Jr. in Callies Performance Products Limited Drag Radial, Chris Holdorf in TBM Brakes Outlaw 632, and Dave Fiscus in TRZ Motorsports Ultra Street.
Additionally, Mac McAdams won in 4.60 Bike, while Carl Mitchell took the 5.50 Index title. Scott Travers won the 6.50 Index, Anthony Hodges finished first in the 7.50 Index, and Klein Simpson and Tre Collins captured victories in Advanced and Intermediate Jr. Dragster, respectively. Kallee Mills triumphed in the Florida N/T Racing No-Time Shootout, and Ray Morton won the Larry Jeffers Race Cars No-Time Truck Shootout.
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