Kye Kelley scored his second win in as many weeks to take a commanding early lead in the “Street Outlaws No Prep Kings” individual and team standings, triumphing on Saturday afternoon with what was likewise a second-straight final round defeat of a surging Damon Merchant, at the Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota. Kelley, who this season switched engine combinations to a screw-supercharged Hemi, aboard a likewise all-new Wizard Race Cars-built Buick Regal, ran his season record to 12-1 and his teams’ overall score to 25-10.

Kelley defeated Brad Eglian, Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington, Justin Swanstrom, and Ohio winner Kayla Morton on his way to the final round.

“Two years in a row, and two events in a row this season. We were able to pick up right where we left off in Virginia with JangALang and continue improving with Adam and Jeff tuning,” said Kelley. “Wizard Race Cars built one heck of a hot rod. Can’t thank you fans enough for coming out and supporting us as always. It wouldn’t be possible without you guys. Thanks again to all the companies and people that believe in and support this program. We’re keeping the momentum going, on to Bowling Green!”

Most notably, three-time and reigning No Prep Kings series champion — and still Great 8 co-points leader — Ryan Martin failed to make the cut for the invitational for the first time in his career, after an early exit in Virginia forced him to race his way in at Brainerd. Martin dropped that deciding match to Jerry Bird and was not one of the lucky four to draw a chip into Saturday’s main event. “Daddy Dave” Comstock also missed the program, and both find themselves mired down in a tie for 28th place in the individual points standings. Their teams, however, continue to maintain winning records, with Comstock’s squad second to Kelley’s, with an 18-12 record.

The No Prep Kings series returns to action this weekend at the Beech Bend Raceway Park in Kentucky for the fourth of 14 races on the season six calendar.