Thu, 08 Jan 2026, 11:59 AM Spencer Hyde to Race Final Two Winter Series Races

Courtesy of Elon Werner, Werner Communications

STRATFORD, Ontario --- Spencer Hyde, the 2023 World Series of Pro Mod winner, will be taking over driving duties for reigning U.S. Street Nationals winner and Winter Series points champion Ken Quartuccio beginning with the upcoming U.S. Street Nationals, January 23-25, 2026. Hyde will be piloting the same screw-blown '69 Camaro out of the Scott Tidwell Racing camp, tuned by Steve Petty, that Quartuccio won the championship with last year.

"This isn't a decision I take lightly," said Quartuccio. "After winning the U.S. Street Nationals and the Winter Series championship in 2025, it is very important for my business that I step back to focus on expanding new opportunities there."

"Spencer Hyde is the only driver I trust to take this car forward," Quartuccio added. "He has the talent, work ethic, and respect for what this car is and what the team represents. Putting him in my seat for the rest of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series is passing the torch to someone who can honor the legacy Scott Tidwell and Dustin Nesloney have built in this series and keep winning."

After a semifinal finish at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks in December, Quartuccio made the difficult decision to step back from driving duties. Quartuccio runs East Side Auto Transport, a major car-hauling operation, and stated his immediate focus needs to be on multiple new business opportunities.

The car should feel comfortable for Hyde, who took his own screw-blown "Jack & The Green Stock" '69 Camaro from the No. 32 qualifying position to the WSOPM winner's circle at Bradenton Motorsports Park in 2023. Since his win that put him on the national drag racing map, Hyde has gone on to pilot the Head Racing nitro Funny Car. He was recently recognized as the 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year.

"After watching the Snowbird Nationals from my couch, after Q1 I'm like, 'Dang, I need to be there,'" Hyde admitted. "I'm not gonna lie - I called Lyle and said, 'Man, I gotta find myself a hot rod.' He said Tommy [Youmans] had another one, and I did briefly talk to Tommy. In the middle of all that happening, Scott Tidwell called - Ken Quartuccio did as well - and told me what was going on and that they wanted me to drive that car. It was a pretty cool phone call to get."

Within a week of the announcement, Hyde has already gotten some seat time in the car, testing with the Tidwell team in Bradenton. And with a driver, car and team that have all won on the biggest stage, the sky is the limit on what they can accomplish at the next two events.

"Obviously Steve Petty, he's arguably the best to ever do it," Hyde said of the championship tuner. "The Tidwell camp is known to win some races, and I'd like to think that I've got a little bit of clout with winning back in 2023. I think it's a pretty good combination of people and we'll see what can happen."

Hyde will be on track for the final two races of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series in advance of his second season behind the wheel of the Jim Head nitro Funny Car at the NHRA Gatornationals, March 5-8, 2026.

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