In the high-stakes world of drag racing, gaining an edge over competitors often means shedding every possible ounce of weight. Sometimes, this pursuit necessitates building an entirely new car. No Prep Kings (NPK) Individual Champion Kye Kelley has done just that, unveiling his new third-gen Camaro for NPK competition.
In a recent YouTube video, Kelley revealed that he had been secretly constructing this new race car over the past year. The primary motivation behind the new build is to ensure the car is light enough to meet the minimum weight requirements for a screw-blown Hemi setup under NPK rules. Given Kelley’s history with third-gen Camaros, it’s fitting that his new car closely resembles his iconic Shocker Camaro.
Starting with an existing chassis, the project was sent to Wizard Race Cars in Holden, Louisiana, for modifications and completion. The team at Wizard Race Cars made necessary adjustments and mounted the third-gen body, incorporating their signature features along with tinwork and carbon fiber components.
Once the chassis was complete, it was transported to Jason’s Body Shop in Natchez, Mississippi, for a show-quality black paint job. “It’s truly the best paint job I’ve ever had in my life,” Kelley remarked. “I’m not looking forward to racing it because I know I’m going to get some scratches on it and it’s going to hurt my heart.”
The final build phase took place at Jeff Pierce Race Car Tuning in Claremore, Oklahoma. Jeff Pierce handled the remaining details, including crafting a custom seat, wiring the car, and installing the fire suppression system. The car is powered by the same screw-blown billet 4.9 Noonan Hemi combination that Kelley uses in his Buick Grand National.
With his new third-gen Camaro ready, Kelley plans to head to Tulsa Raceway Park for testing and familiarization with his latest creation. If testing goes well, fans can expect to see this stunning Camaro in the staging lanes at upcoming NPK events.
