Cole Pesz quickly made a name for himself this year in his first season of No Prep Kings, and now he’s ready to take the next step in his driving career: competing at the Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
After keeping fans guessing, Pesz announced last week he will be piloting “Destiny,” his screw-blown ‘69 Camaro that Chuck Parker qualified with earlier this year at the World Series of Pro Mod. Although he considered bringing “Eleanor,” the ’67 Mustang owned by Cody Sanders that he successfully ran in NPK, the two agreed that his Pro Mod gave him the best chance to win.
“I don’t want to go out there and feel like I’m bringing a knife to a gunfight,” said Pesz. “When you go to a race and feel like you’re not bringing something that has the potential to be the number one qualifier…I just can’t do that. Everyone saw what Chuck 55 did with it earlier this year, and we plan to do even more.”
Just one year ago, Pesz says he had the car in a million pieces and was planning on selling it. At no point did the 2023 Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 honoree imagine he would be in a position to bring it to the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks, the first race of the Winter Series, Dec. 5-8.
“When I got the invite, it was really humbling because I know that this is the best in the world,” Pesz said. “There is nobody better. Every round you go in, you’re running a world champion. I mean, I look at the fact that I could be racing Antron Brown. I’m a 23-year-old punk ass kid from Texas. I don’t think I have any reason to be running Antron Brown, but if you give me that opportunity, I promise you I’m going to take it.”
While this will be Pesz’s debut driving in the Winter Series, he is no stranger to all three events: the Snowbirds, U.S. Street Nationals, and World Series of Pro Mod. He has attended all of them for years, either working with his father, Brandon, or with other teams. But the opportunity to race this year alongside his father is a unique opportunity that Pesz is cherishing.
“I look at what me and my dad have accomplished together. We own a business (PJS Racing Engines) together,” said Pesz. “At the end of the day, I think any man can say he wants to be like his father. He always worked his ass off and he’s earned everything he’s had. So just to be able to run with him and do what I’ve done this early, I know he’s proud of me. And if I can be half of what my dad is, that means I’m doing something good in life.”
Pesz also joked that while he loves to trash talk with the best of them, he has to be careful of what he says about his dad in case they have the opportunity to line up next to each other in competition.
“Honestly, if I run my dad, he knows I’m going to whip his ass,” Pesz said. “But I can’t say too much to him because he tunes my car. If I start talking too much, he might send my blower into orbit. So I just think I’ll leave that alone.”
With just one week remaining until the Winter Series kicks off, Pesz confidently says he is ready to dominate. The car has already shown it can go rounds, and Pesz has proven this season that he belongs. Now all that’s left is taking the next step and winning.
“I’m excited to get that challenge; I wake up for that challenge,” said Pesz. “I definitely am not taking the opportunity for granted. I’m going to go out there and leave everything on the table. I’ll tell my competitors right now that if you think you’re going to outrun me, try me and see what happens. I’m treating every round like it’s the final round because that’s what you have to do in this field. So if they want it, they can come get it. I don’t care what their name is, how many championships they have. I respect everybody, but when that helmet goes on, it’s over.”
For more info and to purchase tickets, visit www.TheWinterSeries.com or www.RaceBMP.com. To livestream the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, check out https://flosports.link/3vLoR3a.
This story was originally published on November 29, 2024. 
