Take a look at this, King of the South Drag Race Ignites Shady Side with $75,000 on the Line!
Shady Side Dragway in North Carolina played host to one of the most electrifying small tire events of the year — the 2024 King of the South. With a staggering $75,000 payout on the table and 58 of the fiercest 28×10.5 no-wheelie-bar cars in the country, this wasn’t just a race — it was an all-out war for supremacy.
A Lineup of Legends and Heavy Hitters
The pits were filled with household names from the no prep world, including Ryan Martin, Kai Kelley, Larry Larson, Ryan Mitchell, Lyall Barnett, and many more. From ProCharged beasts to nitrous-fed monsters, the variety of powerplants and setups showcased the technical diversity of the small tire scene.
The event kicked off with a few by-runs due to cars dropping out during testing, but once eliminations began, a was relentless. Huge burnouts, side-by-side photo finishes, and even some contact with the wall made this a weekend to remember.
Highlights from the Field
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Larry Larson, piloting his newly converted small tire Chevy II with a monstrous MH7 HEMI and F-4140 ProCharger, turned heads by tearing through the field round after round.
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Ryan Mitchell, in his twin-turbo big block Camaro, had one of the most dialed-in setups all weekend but fell just short in a close battle against Larson.
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Brian Mitchell, not to be confused with Ryan, knocked out last year’s winner Bill Lutz, whose Bumblebee-themed Camaro couldn’t find the groove.
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Shelby Lynn, in her nitrous-fed Challenger, put together consistent passes that brought her deep into the competition, proving she’s a force in the no prep world.
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The infamous Frankenstein C5 Corvette returned to action with twin 88mm turbos and a massive small block setup — rebuilt just in time between rounds.
Carnage, Comebacks, and Close Calls
As expected, the Shady Side surface was no walk in the park. Several drivers lost traction, brushed the wall, or shook tires hard off the line. But as the sun went down, tuners adjusted and the passes tightened up.
One of the scariest moments came when a right-lane competitor hit the wall nose-first after losing control mid-track. Fortunately, the driver walked away unscathed.
The Final Showdown: Larry Larson vs. Lyall Barnett
By the time the final four rolled up, it was clear that Larry Larson had the car to beat. After eliminating Ryan Mitchell with a half-car gap, he lined up against Lyall Barnett, who had been battling mechanical gremlins all weekend.
Despite Lyall’s best efforts, Larry’s machine — backed by precision tuning and decades of experience — delivered a flawless A-to-B run for the win and $75,000 cash.
A New Era in Small Tire Racing?
The King of the South proved once again why small tire no prep racing is exploding in popularity. With fans packed wall to wall, legends battling rookies, and prize money reaching life-changing levels, this format is as thrilling as it gets.
Expect to see more of these large-payout grudge-style events popping up across the country as racers chase both glory and gold.
