Kelly Clontz is a Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racer who spent 14 years grinding through the sportsman ranks before stepping into NHRA’s professional class—proof that patience, persistence, and a healthy dose of “respectfully bold” attitude can take you straight into the 200-mph club.

EARLY YEARS

Born July 8, 1981, and raised in Waldorf, Maryland, Clontz didn’t grow up around motorcycles. Her father was a racecar driver, so the racetrack was practically her second home, but two wheels? That came later. She focused on school first, working toward a career in construction—a field where she’s now spent over two decades and currently serves as Director of Electrical Estimating for ArchKey Solutions. It wasn’t until she was 21 years old that she climbed onto a motorcycle and started racing. That was 2003, and once she twisted the throttle, there was no looking back.

OTHER INTERESTS

When she’s not launching a 200-mph rocket down the quarter-mile, Clontz can be found in the gym. Weightlifting is her hobby of choice, which makes perfect sense when you consider the physical demands of wrestling a 600-pound motorcycle at speeds that would make most people reconsider their life choices. At 5’7″ and 145 pounds, she’s lean, strong, and more than capable of handling the beast between her legs—literally and figuratively.

EARLY SUCCESS

Clontz spent over a decade as a sportsman motorcycle drag racer, steadily climbing the ladder. By 2011, she was bracket racing on a bike running 7.7-second quarter-mile passes. In 2015, she entered the Star Racing Riders Challenge—a 25-rider competition designed to find a teammate for three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Angelle Sampey. Though she didn’t win, Clontz proved she belonged. The experience lit a fire under her, and she set her sights firmly on NHRA’s professional ranks. In 2017, she made her Pro Stock Motorcycle debut, qualifying at her first event. After 14 years of paying dues, she was finally racing with the big dogs.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2003: Started racing motorcycles at age 21.
• 2015: Competed in the Star Racing Riders Challenge, earning mentorship from George Bryce and Angelle Sampey.
• 2017: Made NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle debut and qualified at her first event.
• 2018: Ran her first full NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season as a Rookie of the Year candidate with the San Marino team.
• 2018: Secured partnership with Steamfitters UA Local #602, a sponsorship that has continued for multiple seasons.
• 2023: Finished 10th in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings with 2,243 points.
• 2024: Named a “Woman of Power” by Drag Illustrated for being “respectfully bold.”
• 2025: Added ArchKey Solutions as a sponsor and continued competing with Vance & Hines Motorsports on a Gen 3 Suzuki Hayabusa.

INSPIRATIONS

Her racing roots trace back to watching her father compete, though motorcycles weren’t part of the family equation. The real inspiration came from legends like Angelle Sampey, whose mentorship during the Star Racing Riders Challenge left a lasting impression. Clontz has often called the opportunity to be mentored by Sampey and team owner George Bryce “a dream come true.” Racing alongside her husband, Chris Clontz, has also been a driving force—literally. The two have been drag racing motorcycles together for years, making them one of the few husband-and-wife pro teams in the sport.

REPUTATION

Clontz has built a reputation as someone who’s not afraid to speak her mind. Her personal motto—”respectfully bold”—says it all. She’s candid about the challenges women face in motorsports, once stating bluntly, “I don’t think women are equal anywhere.” It’s a refreshing take in a sport that often touts gender equality but doesn’t always deliver. She’s also unafraid to call out the NHRA when she thinks they’re off base—like when she labeled certain Pro Stock Motorcycle rules changes “ridiculous.” That kind of honesty has earned her respect in the paddock, even if it doesn’t always make her popular with sanctioning bodies. She’s known for being consistent, tough, and fiercely competitive, regularly running in the mid-to-low 6.80s and clocking career-best numbers of 6.705 seconds at 201.99 mph.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Clontz continues to compete in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Pro Stock Motorcycle series, riding for Vance & Hines Motorsports with backing from Steamfitters UA Local #602 and ArchKey Solutions. She’s hosting guests and representing ArchKey at select events, including the Midwest Nationals. While she hasn’t publicly outlined specific championship goals, her trajectory suggests she’s chasing that elusive first national event win and a shot at cracking the top five in points. For someone who waited 14 years to go pro, it’s safe to say she’s playing the long game—and she’s far from finished.

REFERENCES

Kelly Clontz Official Website
Kelly Clontz and San Marino Aim for Rookie of the Year Honors – Drag Illustrated
Kelly Clontz Driver Profile – NHRA
Kelly Clontz Ready for Star Racing Dragbike Challenge – Cycle Drag
NHRA Rookie of the Year Candidate Kelly Clontz Reflects on Her First Season – Innovative Creation Experts
DI Women of Power 2024: Kelly Clontz is Respectfully Bold – Drag Illustrated
Rebounding Kelly Clontz Could Be a Countdown Spoiler – NHRA
Clontz, San Marino Team Take Aim on Rookie of the Year Honors – NHRA
Breaking Barriers: Women Drivers Pushing Boundaries in NHRA – WRUF
Kelly Clontz Adds ArchKey Solutions for Midwest Nationals – NHRA
Steamfitters UA Local #602 Extends Partnership with Kelly Clontz Racing – Dragbike.com
Final 2023 Camping World Drag Racing Series Top 10 Standings – NHRA