Big news for No Prep Kings (NPK) fans—Clay Cole is stepping up to the plate for one of the biggest drag racing events of the year! The talented racer, who made a strong impression in last season’s NPK competition, has officially been invited to the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, the grand finale of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series.
Photo by Clay Cole Racing
For those who may not be familiar, Clay Cole burst onto the NPK scene and quickly proved he could hang with the best. His car, built by the renowned Cameron Johnson Race Cars, is a top-tier machine—light, fast, and powered by a potent Pro Line engine. With that combination, Cole earned his spot among the Elite 16 in NPK and is now taking on the challenge of racing in one of the toughest Pro Mod competitions out there.
A Tough Challenge Ahead
The Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod is not for the faint of heart. With a massive $150,000 payout on the line, this event attracts the best of the best in Pro Mod racing. The previous races in the Winter Series—the U.S. Street Nationals and the Snowbird Nationals—featured incredibly stacked fields, with over 60 cars competing. Now, the competition is set to get even tougher, with only the top 32 qualifiers making the cut.
Photo by Clay Cole Racing
For Cole, this means his NPK-legal car will be facing off against full-fledged Pro Mods on a fully prepped track. While NPK cars are designed to excel on no-prep surfaces, the setup is quite different from what’s needed for a Pro Mod race. The wheelbase, engine placement, and weight distribution all present challenges when transitioning from NPK to an all-out Pro Mod event.
Can an NPK Car Compete with Pro Mods?
While the odds may seem stacked against NPK cars in this environment, it’s been proven that they can compete—and even win. Just look at Kye Kelley’s recent performance at the Snowbird Nationals, where he took home the win with his NPK car against some of the toughest Pro Mods in the game. This sets a strong precedent, and it will be exciting to see if Clay Cole can follow suit.
Photo by Clay Cole Racing
From a performance standpoint, Cole’s car is certainly capable of running in the 3.60s, which is where he’ll need to be to qualify. The ProCharger setup he runs in NPK has a weight advantage compared to screw-blown Pro Mods, which could work in his favor. However, with weather conditions and track prep playing a significant role, it will come down to whether his team can fine-tune the car to adapt to this new style of racing.
More Street Outlaws Entering the Pro Mod Scene
One of the most exciting trends in recent years is seeing more Street Outlaws competitors stepping up to race in high-level Pro Mod events. The transition isn’t easy, but it’s proving that NPK racers can hold their own against some of the best drag racers in the world. The World Series of Pro Mod will be the ultimate test for Clay Cole and his team.
With this being the biggest event of the Winter Series, all eyes will be on Bradenton Motorsports Park to see how things unfold. Will Clay Cole shock the Pro Mod world and make a deep run in the event? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—Street Outlaws fans will be watching closely.
Stay tuned to StreetOutlawsTalks.com for more updates on Clay Cole and all the latest news from the world of No Prep Kings and Street Outlaws racing!
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