Fresh off a career-defining win at the 2025 World Series of Pro Mod, Steve King is already looking ahead to the next challenge: returning to the PDRA Pro Boost class with the swagger of a reigning WSOPM champion and a proven tuner, Jon Salemi, calling the shots.
King isn’t a newcomer to PDRA. In fact, he campaigned the full Pro Boost season last year, ending up 11th in points—respectable, but not where he wanted to be.
“We ran all the PDRA races in 2024,” King says, “and we had some high points, but I knew we had more in us. This winter, everything started clicking, and we proved it at WSOPM.”
Building Winter Momentum
The winter of 2025 was hectic for King but also transformative. Competing in Drag Illustrated’s three-race Winter Series—culminating in the richest Pro Mod race on the planet—pushed King’s program to new heights. The payoff came in Bradenton, where he emerged from a field of 80-plus entrants to claim the WSOPM title.
“We faced stacked fields every time we unloaded the car – the best teams in the world,” King says. “But my guys stayed calm, we stuck to our plan, and it worked. It was huge, especially after being so hungry last season in PDRA.”
The key, he believes, was consistent execution—something tuner Jon Salemi hammered home all winter. Salemi famously went back-to-back at WSOPM, tuning Derek Ward to victory in 2024 and then King in 2025.
“It feels like Jon’s got us in a sweet spot right now,” King explains. “If you want to win these races you’ve got to go A-to-B. You’ve gotta make the trip to win these races. We proved what we can do in Bradenton, and I can tell you we’re ready to go.”
Eyeing a PDRA Points Breakthrough
With the PDRA Pro Boost opener imminent, King is determined to parlay his winter triumphs into a deep run for the championship. Having finished outside the top 10 last year, he’s got a clear goal in mind: make every round count.
“We’re still riding high from WSOPM and we’re fired up for the PDRA season-opener,” King says. “We want to keep this momentum rolling and build on it. One or two rough outings can bury you in points. After the winter we’ve had, I believe we’re in a really good spot for Pro Boost this season.”
That faith is mirrored by Salemi, who told Drag Illustrated earlier that consistency is everything in high-stakes eighth-mile racing—whether it’s a single-shot event like WSOPM or a full-season fight like PDRA. For King, those words are gospel now.
“We’re not reinventing ourselves each time out,” he says. “Jon’s data-driven approach and the trust we’ve built as a team is huge. If we keep doing what we did in Bradenton—staying methodical, avoiding unforced errors—I like our chances.”
A Sharper Sword and a Bigger Target
Ask King whether his WSOPM title puts a target on his back in Pro Boost, and he’s quick to agree. He also believes it sharpens his own competitive edge.
“We won the baddest Pro Mod race ever,” he says. “We’re proud of that, but I’m sure we’re going to have a target on our back. I’d want to beat the WSOPM champ, too – who wouldn’t? But that just gets us fired up. We’ve been gunning for them – all these badasses out here – so I’m sure they’re gunning for us.”
He concedes, though, that the PDRA field has no shortage of killers, from defending champions to up-and-coming stars.
“I’m well aware of how tough Pro Boost is,” King admits. “Nobody’s going to hand us anything. But that’s why I’m in this. To come out and run with the best, that’s what all of us are after – to compete against the best.”
Looking to Top Last Year
Finishing 11th in 2024 left King itching for more—more round wins, more consistency, and a shot at the championship. With the winter success behind him, he believes 2025 might be the year to finally crack the upper echelon of PDRA Pro Boost.
“I’ve got no crystal ball,” King says, “but I have a great car, a great team, and a crew chief with back-to-back WSOPM wins. That’s as solid a foundation as any.”
This story was originally published on March 28, 2025. 
