Drag Illustrated Pound-for-Pound Pro Mod Rankings Reveal New Leaders; Quartuccio Holds Firm

Drag Illustrated’s Pound-for-Pound Pro Mod Rankings are making headlines in the drag racing world with new drivers in the mix and big changes in the Top 20. The latest update, released on May 16, 2025, captures the best Pro Mod competitors from organizations like NHRA, PDRA, the DI Winter Series, and MWDRS.

The rankings use xAI’s technology combined with detailed expert analysis from inside the Pro Mod community. They incorporate race performance data and reaction time stats to create an up-to-date list after every major event.

Ken Quartuccio continues to hold the number one spot. He earned his position with a championship in the Drag Illustrated Winter Series and has recently shown incredible skills in Radial vs. the World competition.

Mike Stavrinos stays in second place after his strong NHRA Gatornationals and Arizona Nationals wins, highlighted by five low elapsed times. The Al-Anabi Racing team and tuners Todd Tutterow and Mark Savage have played a key role in his performance this year.

Melanie Salemi sits at third, building a reputation through her PDRA East Coast Nationals Pro Boost win and consistency across seven races since December 2024. Steve King occupies fourth place, following a World Series of Pro Mod win and a successful PDRA semifinal run.

Meanwhile, JR Gray surges into the Top 5 after an impressive showing at the Four-Wide Nationals. He now races alongside Stavrinos for Al-Anabi Racing.

Veterans Tommy Franklin and Mark Micke are also climbing the rankings. Franklin reached eleventh based on his Galot final and two low ETs, while Micke’s recent qualifying success places him in the top ten.

Further down the rankings, rookies and regional standouts are making their mark. Tim Paap, although missing a race, still holds on at thirteenth with the best average reaction time in Pro Mod at 0.021 seconds.

Scott Lang’s strong performance in North Carolina — winning at both Piedmont Dragway and Rockingham Dragway — pushes him up to fifteenth. Kye Kelley, a No Prep racing specialist, stands at fourteenth, recognized for his Snowbird win and presence in the Outlaw 32 series.

Erica Enders rounds out the list at twentieth. The six-time Pro Stock champion remains one of the most skilled drivers in the sport, even with fewer Pro Mod races this season.

The latest rankings have adopted version 2.0 of the evaluation model. This new system gives extra attention to performance under race pressure, offering a sharper view of who’s performing best.

This change has sparked discussion across the sport. According to Wes Buck, founder and editorial director at Drag Illustrated, the rankings are meant to fuel fan debates and keep drivers, owners, and sponsors involved in every update.

The focus is on celebrating standout racers and creating excitement at every level of competition. The Top 20 list covers every key Pro Mod event so far this year, from the eighth-mile races in the Winter Series to classic quarter-mile contests in NHRA.

The panel plans to add more media and industry experts soon to refine the rankings. Each name, from established stars to up-and-coming talents, is measured by race wins, reaction times, and overall impact in the class.

As of this spring, the rankings are setting the tone for discussions at racetracks, in team shops, and in online communities. Many fans and teams now watch the release of these rankings closely, eager to see if their favorite racers have moved up, held their ground, or joined the list for the first time.

As the season continues, every Pro Mod event could mean changes in the standings, with drivers like Travis Harvey, Rian Hayward, and Johnny Camp all hoping for a shot at the top. The next major events in the series will bring fresh challenges and opportunities for drivers to prove themselves.

The rankings, while not affecting event pairings, help highlight who’s in form and keep the sport in the spotlight throughout the season. With advanced analysis and strong fan support, the Drag Illustrated Pound-for-Pound Pro Mod Rankings are driving new energy into drag racing, similar to how Beckman Two-Wide Racing has contributed excitement to the drag community.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.