The No Prep Kings racers are giving it their all at the World Series of Pro Mod, and with the third round of qualifying wrapped up, it's clear that some drivers are still fighting to secure their spots in the show. The competition is fierce, and the track conditions are proving to be a real challenge. Let's break down how some of the top racers performed in Q3 and what it means for their chances moving forward.
Photo by Mallory Elizabeth Photography
Kye Kelley's Struggles Continue
Kye Kelley managed to improve on his previous performance, laying down a 3.64 at 205.91 mph in Q3. While that’s an improvement from his earlier runs, it still left him sitting in 26th place, which isn’t where he wants to be. With the competition running faster times, he’s going to need to step it up in the next rounds if he wants to lock in a spot. Given the tough air conditions and the heat of the day, it wasn’t easy to push for faster times, but other cars have made it happen. If he wants to stay in the game, he’ll need to find more speed.
Murder Nova Still Searching for a Full Pass
Shawn Ellington, better known as Murder Nova, is still struggling to get his car dialed in. He wasn’t able to make a clean pass in Q2 or Q3, and at this point, he’s not qualified. His best run so far came in Q1 when he clocked a 3.71, but that’s not going to cut it. With two more qualifiers left, there's still hope for Shawn to make it in, but he needs to put together a solid pass soon. As a fan favorite, a lot of people are hoping to see him get into the show.
Scott Taylor on the Bubble
Scott Taylor has been on the edge of qualifying, running a 3.636 at 205 mph in Q3. He previously went 3.65 in Q2, but with the ever-changing leaderboard, he may have been bumped out by faster passes. At the time of his run, he was in, but with Q3 still finishing up, his fate remains uncertain. He has two more shots at it, so if he can find just a little more speed, he should be able to secure a spot in the field.
Photo by Mallory Elizabeth Photography
Robin Roberts and the Hart’s Charger Challenge
Robin Roberts ran a 3.69 at 202 mph in his Pro Mod Firebird, but that still isn’t enough to get him locked in. The big issue seems to be the Hart’s Charger setup, which just isn’t producing the same power as the ProCharger-equipped cars. The mile-per-hour difference is noticeable, and so far, it’s been tough for the Hart’s Charger cars to keep up. Unless they can dial in some extra power, it’s going to be a challenge for Roberts to make it into the field.
Larry Larson Facing Similar Power Struggles
Another driver running a Hart’s Charger setup is Larry Larson, who put down a 3.71 at 200 mph. Again, when compared to the ProCharger cars that are consistently running 205-206 mph in similar conditions, the power gap is clear. This is still a new setup, so there’s a chance for improvement, but at this point, it’s proving to be a disadvantage. Larry isn’t in the show yet, so he’s got some work to do in the final two qualifying sessions.
Photo by Mallory Elizabeth Photography
Jimmy Taylor Making Steady Gains
One driver who has been steadily improving is Jimmy Taylor, who ran a 3.67 at 205 mph in Q3. While he’s not yet locked in, he’s getting closer with each pass. His car has had some issues, but the team is making adjustments and finding more speed. If he can shave off a little more time, a 3.65 or better might just get him in the field.
Mike Bowman Sitting Comfortably
On the other end of the spectrum, Mike Bowman is in a much better position. He ran a 3.62 in Q2, which has him comfortably qualified for now. While other racers are still struggling to get their times down, Bowman can focus on fine-tuning his setup for race day.
The Battle for a Spot Continues
With two more qualifying sessions left, there’s still time for racers to secure their spots, but the pressure is mounting. Some of the biggest names in No Prep Kings are on the outside looking in, and if they don’t step it up, they won’t be racing in the main event. It all comes down to execution in these final rounds—who can put down a clean, fast pass when it matters most?
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