Key Points
- Pro Mod standout Spencer Hyde advanced to the quarterfinals (Elite Eight) at the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission, held January 22-25 at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
- The event was the second race of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, featuring a record-breaking 70-car qualifying field competing for 32 spots.
- Hyde substituted for Ken Quartuccio, qualifying 10th with a 3.570-second pass at 211.06 mph on his second attempt, in the quickest Pro Mod field ever.
- In eliminations, Hyde defeated reigning World Series of Pro Mod (WSOPM) champion Steve King (No. 26 qualifier) in round one despite a poor light.
- Round two saw Hyde cut a perfect .000 reaction time to beat No. 12 qualifier Sidnei Frigo of Brazil, a weekend highlight.
- Hyde lost in quarterfinals to No. 6 qualifier Stevie “Fast” Jackson amid tough track conditions with eight aborted runs.
- Hyde praised the Tidwell camp’s programme and car, noting similarities to his own setup.
- He highlighted the Winter Series’ growing competition, citing Aaron Stanfield’s No. 37 qualifying at 3.598 seconds, which would have been seventh a year prior.
- Hyde, a 2023 WSOPM winner, eyes a repeat at the World Series of Pro Mod on February 26-28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Bradenton (Manchester Mirror) January 27, 2026 – Pro Mod racer Spencer Hyde, the reigning World Series of Pro Mod champion, powered into the Elite Eight at the U.S. Street Nationals, navigating one of the fiercest fields in drag racing history before falling to eventual winner Stevie “Fast” Jackson.
Who is Spencer Hyde and What Did He Achieve?
Spencer Hyde, a standout in the Pro Mod category, substituted for esteemed racer Ken Quartuccio at the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission. The event, part of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, drew a staggering 70 cars vying for 32 qualifying spots from January 22-25 at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Hyde qualified No. 10 with an impressive 3.570-second elapsed time at 211.06 mph on his second attempt, securing a place in what became the quickest Pro Mod qualifying field ever assembled.
Hyde quickly adapted to the unfamiliar Tidwell camp equipment. As he stated, “This car is very similar to mine, so it didn’t take long to get acquainted to it, and it felt like everything was pretty natural.” He credited the team, adding, “These guys have a really good programme over here at the Tidwell camp. They gave me a great race car, and it just wasn’t quite good enough today. But I’m confident we can come back at World Series of Pro Mod and go deep into the rounds again.”
How Did Hyde Perform in Eliminations?
Following the chip draw, Hyde faced reigning WSOPM champion Steve King, the No. 26 qualifier, in the first round. Despite nerves, Hyde advanced. He admitted, “I got the first-round jitters more than I ever do, because I felt like I had a weight on my shoulders, realising I am driving Ken Quartuccio’s car.” Hyde continued, “Ken is a really good driver and they are always very successful when they come here. If you lose first round, you feel like you’re letting everybody down. I was chopping the tree down all weekend, so I was worried about going red. It was a night run and I let it get to my head, so I had a bad light. But thankfully, Steve Petty bailed me out and gave me a good race car, and we were able to drive around Steve King.”
In round two, Hyde drew No. 12 qualifier Sidnei Frigo of Brazil. Delivering a weekend highlight, Hyde cut a perfect .000 reaction time to win and reach the Elite Eight. Reflecting on it, he said, “This morning I went up there and forgot about all the pressure and just went back to doing my normal deal. I got a little lucky and had a perfect light there during round two against Sidnei Frigo.”
What Happened in the Quarterfinals?
Hyde’s run ended in the quarterfinals against No. 6 qualifier Stevie “Fast” Jackson, pulled via chip draw. Track conditions proved challenging, with eight cars and eight aborted runs. Hyde explained, “Unfortunately, in round three the track conditions were pretty subpar. There’s eight cars and eight aborted runs, which you never want to see. But everybody had to deal with the same stuff. My parachute rattled out when the car shook and I pedaled it and got back on it, and Stevie was pulling away from me because the parachute was dragging along behind me. We didn’t quite get it done, but Stevie’s one of the best to ever do it and losing to him isn’t the worst thing.”
Why Was This Event So Competitive?
The weekend highlighted unprecedented depth in Pro Mod racing within the Winter Series. Hyde emphasised this, recounting, “Yesterday I was talking to Aaron Stanfield, he went 3.598 and was No. 37. One year ago at this race that would have got him seventh. 30 spots difference from year to year is absolutely wild. It proves how much these guys have been testing and working on their stuff. This whole Winter Series deal breeds competition and everybody wants to be a part of it. Everybody is here to not only win the race, but it’s a huge pat on the back for every team who qualifies.”
As reported in the original coverage by Drag Illustrated staff, the 70-car field underscored the series’ evolution, making every qualifying position a significant achievement.
What Are Hyde’s Future Plans?
With momentum intact, Hyde shifts focus to the Winter Series finale, the World Series of Pro Mod on February 26-28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park. A former winner in 2023, he aims to be the first to claim the title twice. Hyde expressed optimism: “I am really looking forward to coming back again next month and doing it all again. We’ve got a good car. I’ve been driving well, and we have all the tools to make it happen, to put it in the Winner Circle. Being a previous winner, nobody’s won the World Series of Pro Mod twice, and I’d really like to be the first guy to do that. And I think I’m in the best situation possible to get that done.”
Hyde will campaign with the Scott Tidwell Racing team, building on this strong showing.
How Does This Fit into Pro Mod Racing Trends?
The U.S. Street Nationals exemplified the Winter Series’ role in elevating Pro Mod competition. Qualifying feats like Aaron Stanfield’s No. 37 at 3.598 seconds illustrate rapid progress, driven by intensive testing. Hyde’s Elite Eight finish, despite the parachute issue and tough conditions, positions him as a frontrunner for WSOPM. His substitution for Ken Quartuccio added pressure, yet his perfect light against Sidnei Frigo and win over Steve King demonstrated skill under duress.
This event’s record field—70 cars for 32 spots—signals booming interest, with drivers like Stevie Jackson proving dominance. Hyde’s reflections neutralise any disappointment, framing the loss as learning amid elite rivalry.
