Brandon Pesz, owner of PJS Racing and veteran Pro Mod racer, is no stranger to high-pressure competition. As a participant in the inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service, Pesz joined an elite field of racers at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks — a race now heralded as historic for its 3.647-second bump spot, the tightest 32-car field in doorslammer history.
Although Pesz intended to debut his rebuilt “Head Hunter” Pro Mod at the event, unforeseen delays meant borrowing Todd Martin’s car, an unfamiliar ride that kept Pesz on his toes.
“Everything was amplified,” Pesz shared. “The energy was on another level, like the World Series of Pro Mod races. It felt like a defining moment, and I can only imagine how much bigger the next two races in the series will be.”
Pesz narrowly missed qualifying, bumped out during a chaotic final session. However, the excitement has only fueled his preparation for the next event in the series, the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Fans of Pesz will see a brand-new version of his iconic “Head Hunter” Pro Mod at the U.S. Street Nationals. While the signature body theme remains, nearly everything else is fresh.
“It’s a brand-new chassis by Vanishing Point Race Cars with the work done by the owner Jim Geese and Don Carey,” Pesz explained. “They originally built the car in 2005, but the old chassis started fatiguing earlier this year. We’ve reworked everything to make the car faster and more versatile—it’s now equipped to handle both screw-blown outlaw races and radial events.”
The car will feature a PJS-built screw-blown engine, Quick Drive unit, Liberty transmission, and an upgraded Carmack 11-inch rear end. Although Pesz hopes to test at Xtreme Raceway Park in Dallas before Bradenton, weather conditions may force him to debut the car at the event itself.
As the founder and owner of PJS Racing, Pesz spends the majority of his time at the racetrack tuning cars for his customers. This dual role as a tuner and driver requires relentless focus.
“I’m tuning 90% of the time,” Pesz explained. “I constantly monitor track prep, weather conditions, and density altitude. I make adjustments to each car’s tune-up before staging and tweak them right up until the moment they race. Switching to the driver mindset is easier after nearly 30 years of experience, but the stakes of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series add an extra layer of intensity.”
“I am focusing on tuning 90% of the time I’m at the racetrack,” Pesz explained. “Cole is in charge of dealing with cars and crew members so that helps a lot. I’m not a tuner that puts a tuneup in the car an hour before the run. I’ll put a tuneup in each car before going to staging lanes and then I stay on top of track prep, weather conditions, sunny or cloudy, density altitude, etc. and make small changes to tunes accordingly. So my mind is constantly on tuning pretty much until I strap into my car. Fortunately I have been driving almost 30 years so the driving is the easier part. I’ve seen it all and usually I just focus on my lane. However, the Drag Illustrated Winter Series brings a lot more intensity and excitement that even a seasoned driver like myself has to mentally focus more than normal because the stakes are so high. “
Pesz’s business, PJS Racing, is a powerhouse in the Pro Mod scene, providing engines, tuning expertise, and support to a slate of competitive drivers. At the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, Pesz worked with his son Cole Pesz, Alex Laughlin and James Beadling, who will make his DI racing debut at U.S. Street Nationals, all equipped with PJS engines.
Though mechanical issues plagued some of the team’s efforts at the event, Pesz is optimistic about the future. “Our engines consistently make the most power on any dyno-hub or engine. We’re already a step ahead and continuing to innovate,” Pesz said.
Looking forward, PJS Racing plans to focus on the DI Winter Series, including the World Series of Pro Mod and select radial events. Cole will also participate in No Prep Kings, while a new car for another customer will debut later this season.
With the U.S. Street Nationals on the horizon, the highly anticipated unveiling of the new “Head Hunter” promises to deliver, both on and off track. With nearly three decades of racing under his belt, Pesz remains a force to be reckoned with.
As Pesz puts it, “The fields are so tight that a driver can’t make any mistakes during qualifying, or you won’t make the show, and when you get in the show, you better be .020 or better all five rounds, and sometimes that’s not enough.”
For those looking to connect with Brandon Pesz and PJS Racing, visit their website, PJSRacingEngines.com, or email Brandon directly at [email protected]. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates as Pesz takes on the DI Winter Series and beyond.
For more information on the DI Winter Series, visit www.thewinterseries.com. Fans can livestream the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals at https://flosports.link/4eXM9oa.
This story was originally published on January 2, 2025. 
