We came, we saw, we unleashed an armada of door cars on Bradenton Motorsports Park — and if you missed it, you missed history. The 2025 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod delivered on its promise of more cars, more money, and more energy than ever before. From a WWE legend hyping the crowds to father-daughter qualifiers, from monstrous payouts to massive heartbreak, here are the 25 Best, Worst, and Wildest Moments from the biggest Pro Mod race on Earth.
1. BEST: “The Mouth of the South” Flips the Switch
When WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart took center stage as Grand Marshal, he brought the kind of over-the-top energy only “The Mouth of the South” can deliver. Decked out with his signature megaphone, Hart officially kicked off the festivities — and let’s be honest, his decibel level, even at his age, is not too far off that which is created by these 3,000-plus horsepower Pro Mods.
2. SCARIEST: Scott Palmer Walks Away From a Terrifying Top-End Crash
Few sights will make a drag racing crowd hold its breath like a tumbling Pro Mod at the far end. Veteran Scott Palmer’s throttle stuck near the finish line, sending his car past the shutdown area and flipping into the strawberry field beyond. Miraculously, Palmer climbed out under his own power, and immediately addressed DI Winter Series Official Starter, Randy Lee, who was quick to the scene, saying, “Was that spectacular or what?” Later speaking with Drag Illustrated, Palmer credited his safety gear. “I’ll be sore, but I’m just glad we’re OK,” he quipped afterward, squashing any rumors he’s done with Pro Mod: “I won’t. I’ll be back.”
3. BEST: The Biggest Pro Mod Race of All Time (83 Cars!)
Eighty-three entries. Thirty-two precious qualifying spots. This year’s World Series of Pro Mod was hands down the largest and fiercest door-car showdown we’ve ever seen. The pits were overloaded with world-class teams, and heartbreak was inevitable for those that didn’t make the cut. From a fan’s perspective, those qualifying sessions were pure, nail-biting drama — the kind of buzz you’d normally see in a final round, but on repeat for every single run. The tension on the starting line was like a championship fight, with teams practically holding their breath as the scoreboard lit up. Hats off to those who scored a spot in the quickest field in history, and maybe an even bigger salute to the ones who laid it all on the line and came up short. It takes some serious guts to throw down on this stage.
4. BEST: Quickest Pro Mod Field in History
As if 83 cars weren’t enough, the 32 qualifiers formed the fastest bump in Pro Mod history, with Tommy Franklin’s 3.637-second pass nabbing the final slot. Consider that a 3.682 made the field just two years ago, but this time around it wouldn’t have even sniffed the top 58. Everything about 2025 was next-level.
5. WILDEST: Mark Micke Sets Both Ends of the Winter Series Records
They say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but apparently no one told Mark Micke. Not only did he streak to his 13th consecutive No. 1 qualifier, he also uncorked a series-best 3.566 during eliminations at the U.S. Street Nationals and a 223.65 mph blast in eliminations at WSOPM to claim both ends of the DI Winter Series record. Interesting side note: Mark Micke is the first-ever Drag Illustrated Winter Series record-holder.
6. BEST: Ken Quartuccio Clinches the Inaugural DI Winter Series Championship
The Winter Series points battle ended exactly how many suspected: with Connecticut’s own Ken Quartuccio hoisting the championship cup. Starting with a runner-up at Snowbirds, a Pro Mod win at U.S. Street Nationals, and a solid outing at WSOPM, Quartuccio was on a hot streak – and that also includes a huge win in Radial vs. the World competition at Donald Long’s Lights Out shootout a couple weeks ago in Georgia. He took home the $25,000 championship bonus, a custom championship ring from Jostens, a massive championship trophy from Blue Ribbon Awards, and enough bragging rights to last all year (if not forever). “This is important,” Quartuccio said. “But the friendships and families we’ve made here? That’s unstoppable.”
7. WILDEST: Kye Kelley vs. Mark Micke: A Round 1 Showdown
In typical WSOPM fashion, the chip draw was pure drama. When No. 1 qualifier Mark Micke pulled out a chip that paired him with Street Outlaws star Kye Kelley, a collective gasp rippled through the pits. These two had points implications and fierce pride on the line. It was a marquee match for the ages — and it happened in the first round, no less. There’s nowhere else in the world fans could see a matchup like this where worlds truly collide.
8. BEST: Stevie “Fast” Jackson Makes First WSOPM Final
It seems wild that a name like Stevie Jackson didn’t have a World Series of Pro Mod final appearance under his belt, but that streak ended here in 2025. He marched through heavy-hitting lanes en route to Sunday’s big dance before coming up just short. Knowing Stevie, he’ll probably be back next year, hungrier than ever.
9. BIGGEST: $150,000 Payout Headlines the Richest Pro Mod Race in History
It’s called the World Series of Pro Mod for a reason — and a big chunk of that is the massive payday at the end. This year, $150,000 to the winner set a new benchmark. Sure, it’s “just money,” but try telling that to the drivers lining up in the final. A single .001-second margin can separate you from a life-changing check (just ask new champ Steve King).
10. BEST: Steve King Crowned 2025 WSOPM Champion by .001
Speaking of: Steve King etched his name in the history books when he sealed the final over Stevie Jackson by a razor-thin .001 seconds. That’s a literal blink. After falling early at the first two Winter Series events, King persevered and showed that with the right pass at the right time, your entire season can flip in one day. “This old guy with a twang has no words,” King posted later. “Just crazy.”
11. WORST: Betting Favorite Jason Harris Falls in the Semis
Multi-time champion Jason Harris stormed into the weekend looking like a surefire bet. He was a top qualifier, posted monstrous speeds, and had the hunger to claim the $150,000. Then came the dreaded semifinal exit. Still, Harris showed once again why he’s a lethal competitor, finishing the weekend as one of the “what ifs” of 2025.
12. BEST: Johnny Pluchino Finally Gets His MMPSI Win
After knocking on the door with semifinals and runner-ups, Johnny Pluchino at last captured victory in the Mountain Motor Pro Stock Invitational. He stayed consistent in the heat, then turned it up at night, outrunning the best the class could throw at him. “You don’t want to pull this orange car in the chip draw,” Pluchino joked, and he proved that in spades.
13. WILDEST: Mike Bowman’s Return to Form
Mike Bowman’s storied WSOPM history includes a Cinderella win back in 2017, but the last few years were less than kind. That changed when Bowman hustled his twin-turbo ’69 Chevelle to a 3.58 in qualifying and went rounds again. In a field as murderous as this one, Bowman’s performance had longtime fans cheering, “He’s back!”
14. BEST: Victor Alvarez Briefly Goes No. 1 in His Pro Mod Debut
Talk about a hometown hero moment. Bradenton co-owner Victor Alvarez strapped into his brand-new twin-turbo ’69 Camaro, fired off a 3.61 in Q1, and spent much of the session atop the timing sheets. Ultimately, he got bumped down, but for a local promoter stepping into Pro Mod for the first time, that short-lived No. 1 was a massive statement.
15. WILDEST: Jason Harris, Jay Cox Meet Again
If you follow PDRA Pro Nitrous, you know these two have tangoed more times than we can count. So, of course the random chip draw forced them to collide in Round 1 at the biggest race on earth. Staging duels, burnouts, and downright menacing body language — it was a barnburner. No matter how many times they square off, it never gets old.
16. BEST: Father-Daughter Power: Tommy Franklin & Amber Denton Qualify
It’s one thing to qualify in the quickest Pro Mod field in history. It’s another thing entirely for a dad and his daughter to do it side by side, both in nitrous-assisted Camaros, both running stout 3.63–3.64 passes. Tommy Franklin’s known for big-stage success, but watching Amber Denton seal her spot in the field was a highlight for fans and family alike.
17. WILDEST: Pro 10.5 Delivers Chaos & Carinci’s Surprise No. 1
The second annual Pro 10.5 Challenge was pure old-school mania: turbos, blowers, and nitrous combos all jammed onto a small tire for $25,000. After an up-and-down test day, Canada’s John Carinci fired off a 3.90 at 205 mph under the lights to shock the field and claim the top spot. One missed shift or lost tune-up, and you’re going home early in this class.
18. BEST: Hailey Hawkins Scores First Top Dragster Win
Top Dragster might not grab the same headlines as Pro Mod, but Hailey Hawkins’ first career TD victory was downright inspirational. With $50,000 on the line, the 22-year-old was ice-cold on the tree, knocking out seasoned vets left and right. The final round was not short on drama, as opponent Lucas Salemi suffered a mechanical failure in the burnout, while a bad fuse killed Hawkins’ car before she could stage. Her crew swapped in a new fuse, she staged, and she collected the big check.
19. WORST: The Heartbreak of Missing the Cut
In a field of 83 Pro Mods, more than 50 top-notch teams never saw race day. Folks like multi-time winners, top-tier tuners, and local heroes all fired their best shots and landed short. Any time a 3.68 can’t even crack the top 50, you know heartbreak is in the air. “This is the deepest field I’ve ever been in,” one dejected tuner said. “No freebies here.”
20. BEST: Lil Gangstas & Jimmy Dale’s $25,000 Victory
Who says grassroots racers don’t belong in the spotlight? The Lil Gangstas class made its WSOPM debut with a whopping $25K on the line — the biggest payout in the class’s young history. Jimmy Dale stole the show and the check, adding his over-the-top persona to one wild winner’s circle celebration.
21. BEST: Glenn Butcher & Russ Whitlock Steal the Spotlight in Top Sportsman & Top Dragster Qualifying
The second annual Intercontinental Top Sportsman and Top Dragster races were also jam-packed. Glenn Butcher threw down a 3.83 in his ’69 Camaro to lead Top Sportsman, while Russ Whitlock topped TD with a 3.88 in his ProCharged dragster. They both carried that momentum into eliminations and showed exactly why these “support” classes continue to light up the scoreboard.
22. WILDEST: The Unpredictable Chip Draw
In typical WSOPM fashion, the bracket was anything but predictable. From No. 1 vs. No. 2 qualifier in Pro Mod to mid-pack monsters lining up in the semis, the random chip draw left fans and racers in a perpetual state of “Oh no, not them in Round 1!” Whether you love or hate it, the drama is off the charts.
23. BEST: Kallee Mills & Blake Denton Shine in Pro 10.5
Pro 10.5 was more than just Carinci’s show. Rising star Kallee Mills clocked mid-3.90s in her turbocharged ride, while Blake Denton steered the late Lizzy Musi’s famed “Bonnie” ’69 Camaro to a 3.95. Both ended up going rounds, proving that 10.5 remains a thrilling, fan-favorite class with some all-time stories still to come.
24. WILDEST: The Stats That Defy Belief
Consider this: 2023’s No. 1 qualifier (3.626) from Johnny Camp would have barely made the top 32 this year. Meanwhile, Tommy Franklin’s 3.637 would have been good for No. 2 in 2023 — but here, it was the bump. The competition soared so high that we’re left wondering what on earth 2026 might look like. Strap in, folks.
25. BEST: A Dream Come True…For Now
As Ken Quartuccio put it, “This is a dream come true for me…this is what everyone aspires for.” That sentiment was echoed by every winner, every champion, and even those who packed up early after DNQing. This year’s World Series of Pro Mod embodied everything that makes drag racing so electrifying — the unpredictability, the madness, the horsepower, and the heart.
WRAPPING IT UP
The 2025 World Series of Pro Mod proved once again that when you combine sky-high payouts, random chip draws, and a sprawling cast of 80-plus hungry teams, you get a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. Records fell, legends rose, heartbreaks abounded, and new stars were born. If you missed it, well, consider this your highlight reel — and a warning: next year promises to be even bigger, faster, and wilder. We’ll see you at Bradenton in 2026, where anything can happen… and probably will.
This story was originally published on March 12, 2025. 
The post WSOPM 2025: The 25 Best, Worst and Wildest Moments first appeared on Drag Illustrated.