Pro Modified racing has reached a new level of intensity and excitement, as described by Mark Micke, owner of M&M Transmission and one of the sport’s most respected figures.
In a recent interview on The Wes Buck Show, Micke reflected on the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks, the first event of the DI Winter Series presented by J&A Service at Bradenton Motorsports Park, the challenges of running turbocharged cars and what’s next for the rapidly growing Pro Mod scene.
The Snowbird Outlaw Nationals delivered an atmosphere unlike anything Micke had experienced before. “Saturday night was the most intense racing I’ve ever been a part of, period, hands down,” he said. “The emotion was out of control. Drivers were celebrating career-best runs, and two runs later, they were kicking the dog because they got bumped out. It was just crazy.”
Adding to the drama was the chip draw, which took place after qualifying on Saturday night.
“That chip draw is some serious shit, and everybody was nervous,” stated Micke. “When it got down to the last eight drivers, nobody was smiling, but that’s the way it should be. It’s what we live for.”
Micke’s company, M&M Transmission, saw a massive surge in demand following the event. “After the race, business went straight vertical,” he shared. “Before I even got home, I had half a dozen of my Street Outlaw guys calling for transmissions, torque converters—everything. It’s total insanity right now.”
The event showcased the strength of M&M Transmission’s products, with 19 of the 32 qualifying cars using their transmissions. “We took a lot of pride in that,” Micke said. “The top three cars were our people, and we even had a new customer make the field. That’s huge for us.”
As a pioneer in turbocharged racing, Micke is no stranger to the challenges these cars present. “Our motors run real tall intake runners, and in cooler air, they tend to sneeze during burnouts,” he explained. “It’s stressful as a driver, but we’re addressing it. These cars have their quirks, but they also deliver incredible excitement.”
Micke highlighted the performance of Jay Cox, who stunned the crowd with a 220-mph run. “When he did that, the crowd went nuts,” Micke said. “That’s what we need in this sport. It’s thrilling, and it’s why we love turbo cars.”
One of the standout performers of the weekend was Kye Kelley, whose strategic approach impressed Micke. “Kye and Jeff Pierce gave us all a class on how to win a drag race,” Micke said. “When the car was behind, Kye was ahead, and vice versa. It was a masterclass in execution. Everyone needs to pay attention to what they did.”
Looking ahead to the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission, Micke expects even closer competition. “Everyone’s making adjustments after the Snowbirds,” he explained. “I think people will be shocked by how tight the field gets. It’s going to be pure insanity.
“I believe U.S. Street is going to be four-hundredths between one and 32 – that’s my call, and I’m going to say a .63 bump,” Micke predicted. “I don’t think number one’s going to get much faster – I’m gonna say high .58 low .59 for number one.”
Micke credits events like the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals with elevating the entire sport. “At PRI, all anyone wanted to talk about was this series,” he said. “We’re creating core memories for racers and fans. That’s what it’s all about.”
This story was originally published on December 23, 2024. 
