What was initially supposed to be a one-race opportunity has quickly turned into something much bigger for fan-favorite driver Lyle Barnett.
Fresh off an ultra-impressive showing throughout the Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service, Barnett got the call to step in for NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series championship contender Billy Banaka at the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports season opener, the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. Barnett made the most of it.
Driving Banaka’s hot rod against one of the toughest Pro Mod fields in the country, Barnett qualified No. 6 with a strong 5.732-second pass at 249.86 mph, then marched all the way to the final round in a statement-making performance that turned heads throughout the pit area. Along the way, Barnett also recorded top speed of the meet at 252.24 mph, further cementing his presence as one of the weekend’s biggest stories.
Barnett’s charge to the final ended in dramatic fashion, as he turned it oh-so-slightly red in the final round against Derek Menholt. Still, the runner-up finish, coupled with the performance and consistency shown throughout eliminations, made it clear this was no fluke and no ordinary fill-in appearance.
As it turns out, Gainesville was only the beginning.
In an effort to capitalize on Barnett’s popularity, momentum, and rising star power, Mark Stockseth and the rapidly growing Outlaw Light Beer brand have stepped in with a new sponsorship partnership that will keep Barnett in NHRA Pro Mod competition for the foreseeable future. The new deal will see Barnett remain with Billy Banaka Racing on a multi-race basis during the 2026 NHRA Pro Mod season, beginning with the fast-approaching NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix.
The move also speaks volumes about Banaka’s commitment to winning and to growing the program. What was originally planned as a one-race arrangement quickly evolved once the opportunity presented itself. Banaka, who finished No. 2 in the NHRA Pro Mod points standings in 2025, immediately made the decision to convert his outlaw Pro Mod Camaro to NHRA-legal trim and field two entries in the series, creating the opportunity for Barnett and Outlaw Light Beer to join forces under the Billy Banaka Racing banner.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to fly the flag of a mainstream corporate sponsor, and I’m fired up to finally make it happen,” said Barnett. “I’m proud to announce that Mark Stockseth and Outlaw Light Beer have partnered with me and Billy Banaka Racing on a multi-race deal for the 2026 NHRA Pro Mod season. After a killer showing at the season opener in Gainesville, we’re rolling into Phoenix with Outlaw Light Beer riding along with me on the side of this iconic Pro Mod Camaro and ready to keep the momentum going.
“Huge thank you to Outlaw Light Beer for the support and for believing in our program,” Barnett continued. “We’re looking to make some noise together.”
For Stockseth, the decision was an easy one.
“Lyle Barnett is exactly the kind of driver and personality you want representing your brand,” said Stockseth. “He’s a superstar talent behind the wheel, he connects with fans, and he brings an energy to the sport that’s impossible to miss. We believe it’s important for drag racing to keep young, marketable characters like Lyle in the mix, and when the opportunity came up to partner with him and Billy Banaka Racing, we jumped at it. We’re thrilled to be part of this program and excited about what this can do not only on the racetrack, but for the continued growth of the Outlaw Light Beer brand.”
Banaka, one of the class’ most respected team owners and championship contenders, was equally enthusiastic about what came together following Gainesville.
“What Lyle did for our team in Gainesville was huge,” said Banaka. “He stepped into a tough situation against a stacked field and drove the wheels off the thing. You could see the momentum building all weekend. Once the opportunity with Mark and Outlaw Light Beer came together, the decision was simple for me. We went to work getting another car converted to NHRA specs because I wanted to make sure we could keep Lyle in the seat and keep this deal moving forward. I’m proud of what our team has built, and I’m excited about what this next chapter can look like for all of us.”
The partnership is a major moment for Barnett, Banaka Racing, and Outlaw Light Beer alike. Barnett gets the opportunity to continue building momentum in one of the toughest categories in all of motorsports. Banaka expands a front-running operation that was already knocking on the door of a championship. Outlaw Light Beer aligns itself with one of the sport’s most recognizable and entertaining young stars at a moment when his profile is rising fast.
And if Gainesville was any indication, this group may be just getting started.
Barnett and the Billy Banaka Racing/Outlaw Light Beer team are set to make their next appearance at the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix, where they’ll look to carry their season-opening momentum into the second stop of the 2026 NHRA Pro Mod campaign.
This story was originally published on March 14, 2026. 
The post Lyle Barnett, Billy Banaka Racing & Outlaw Light Beer Team Up for NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
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