He lost in the final to Kane Austin from Music City Raceway as Keele broke out with a 5.68-second pass on a 5.69 dial-in. Still, the overall experience left Keele more determined than ever to reach his ultimate goal. 

Prior to the World Finals, Keele had finished runner-up in the IHRA Division 4 (Renegades) Summit Team Finals, where he barely lost to Michael Turman from Little River Dragway.

“It had been two years since I had been on that bike,” Keele said. “I’m surprised that I would be here. I didn’t think I would make it to be honest. It’s never won an IHRA Ironman, but it’s going to get one.” 

Keele is a racer known for his grit and determination. He saw many of the same qualities in the riders he competed against at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals. Keele won his semifinal round matchup against Billy Warren Jr., who had qualified for the World Finals by winning the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering and FuelTech at Music City Raceway.

With the competition so fierce, Warren fouled by just -.003 at the start. Keele had gotten past another Texas racer, Jeramy Tally from Penwell Knights Raceway, in the quarterfinals.

“I’m really amazed by all these guys,” Keele said. “They’re tough and I’ve seen it with my own eyes. You see some red lights, but it’s because everybody is just pushing so hard. Still, the guys here are all good on the trees and they’re all consistent.”

For Keele, the competition was only part of what made the IHRA Summit Team Finals and IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals so memorable. He particularly enjoyed finding others who had the same passion for drag racing, in particular racing motorcycles, as he does.

“It’s a great group of people,” Keele said. “I was hanging out with them, getting to know new people. We’ve had a great time here.”