At just 23 years old, Kyle Morris has built a reputation that has landed him among some of the top automotive content creators and engine builders to date.
A true gearhead at heart, Morris has an impressive track record – building and tuning over 150 engines in the last five years, working with high-profile racers like Eric Bain from Street Outlaws and Clark Rosenstengal, whose cars hold records in the standing mile and half-mile events. Morris is also one of the few builders in the U.S. focusing on twin-turbo Lamborghini engines, a testament to his wide-ranging skills.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #191, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November / December of 2024.]
Morris’s passion for motorsports runs deep, starting with motocross racing at just three years old.
“I ended up getting in a little crash and got scared of it when I was around eight years old and started Jr. drag racing,” Morris explains. “I Jr. drag raced for a little bit, had terrible luck, blew the engine up almost every other race, so I gave up on that.”
Morris found himself back on the bike, competing in motocross at a high level, but when he was 17, Morris suffered a crash that broke his neck and back. He decided it was time to walk away from motocross and fully dive into his dad’s engine-building business Steve Morris Engines, where he already found himself working part-time.
He soon found his footing in drag racing, a natural progression from following in his father, Steve’s, path. Morris revived a 1996 Mustang with his grandfather and entered the drag-and-drive scene.
His Mustang, a 1996 model with a 7.50 cage, twin 75mm turbos, and a 347-cubic-inch small-block Ford engine, generates around 1,800 horsepower. He’s currently ranked No. 38 among the top 100 fastest drag-and-drive racers and aims to break into the 4.80s in the eighth mile next season.
“It’s been a learning experience trying to balance a tight budget while dialing in the converter and chassis,” he says.
In addition to his racing achievements, Morris has made a significant impact on digital media, playing a key role in his father’s popular YouTube channel, Steve Morris Engines, while also launching his own self-titled channel in August.
“I’ve always been involved in creating content for my dad’s channel, but starting my own channel was about making my own name,” Morris says.
His channel has gained nearly 20,000 subscribers and more than 1.9 million views in just a few months, showcasing a mix of daily builds, technical deep dives, and candid moments of failures.
“The stuff that I’m recording on my YouTube channel is just stuff that I would be doing anyways regardless of if there’s a camera around,” Morris explains. “It’s just a fun thing for me to do, and it’s genuine because I’m doing it for fun.”
Morris emphasizes that he believes his success stems from showing the real moments and not just making social media a “highlight reel.”
“I like keeping it real,” Morris adds. “Showing the setbacks and breakages is just as important as showing the wins. It’s about being transparent and relatable.”
Morris credits his parents and social media manager Nate Allen for their support. “Nate’s been a big help, always answering my questions and working late to make things happen,” Morris states.
As he looks to the future, Morris is committed to expanding his drag-and-drive presence, with plans to compete in Sick Week, Sick Summer, and other events organized by longtime family friend Tom Bailey.
When asked about words of advice for someone wanting to follow in his footsteps, Morris says, “Set realistic, attainable goals and build from there. Start small and work your way larger. Don’t try to force anything – just keep it real.”
This story was originally published on February 10, 2025.
The post DI 30 Under 30 2024: Kyle Morris first appeared on Drag Illustrated.