Our 25-Year Journey From Local Bracket Racing to Big-Money Drag Racing

For more than 25 years, we’ve been living and breathing drag racing. What began as a small dream—and an even smaller budget—has grown into a semi-professional racing program with serious horsepower behind it. But like every racer who’s ever unloaded in a gravel pit, our story didn’t start pretty.

Humble Beginnings: Racing Anything We Could Get Our Hands On

In the early days, we raced whatever we could afford, and trust us—we weren’t the fastest car in the lanes. Most weekends were spent at local tracks around the Joplin, Missouri area, learning the basics through trial, error, and broken parts.
We were rookies with ambition, passion, and almost no money. But the love for the sport kept us grinding.

Learning From Racers at Every Level

Over the years, we’ve met racers from every corner of the drag racing world—grassroots weekend warriors, seasoned veterans, and well-known national-level competitors. Every conversation, pit-area handshake, and late-night wrenching session taught us something valuable.

And as our knowledge grew, so did our equipment:

• faster cars

• improved reliability

• better engines

• and one hard truth: quality parts always pay for themselves.

Cheap parts cost twice as much, and often at the worst possible time.

The Reality of Sponsorships in Drag Racing

Our growth hasn’t been a straight upward line. Some seasons we landed great sponsorships that helped us leap forward. Other years, sponsors were scarce and we had to reach back into our own pockets just to stay in the game.

If you’ve been in racing long enough, you know the drill—sponsorships rise and fall with the economy, and you either adapt or park it.

What This Blog Series Is All About

This blog series is our unfiltered look into the real world of drag racing:

• the wins

• the losses

• the broken engines

• the diesel receipts

• the tow-rig repairs

• and the grind of running a semi-pro, big-money racing operation

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into chasing big checks, chasing points, or just chasing a dream—this is where we lay it all out.

Come along for the ride. We’re just getting warmed up.

About Lee Motorsports

Where Passion Meets Performance

Lee Motorsports is a family-owned motorsports business located just south of Joplin, Missouri on Hwy 43 at Gum Road. We proudly serve Southwest Missouri, Tulsa, and Northwest Arkansas with performance parts, pit bikes, scooters, and real-world racing knowledge.

Built From the Garage Up

Founded by a longtime paramedic with over 25 years of motorsports repair and fabrication experience, Lee Motorsports started as a small garage speed shop. What began with a few tools and a lot of late nights has grown into a full-service business built on:

• doing things right the first time

• selling only what we trust

• and standing behind every product we offer

Competing at the Highest Level

We don’t just sell racing parts—we race.
Lee Motorsports competes in major big-money drag racing events across the United States with:

• rear-engine dragsters

• doorcars

• bracket cars

• and respected national-level programs

Every part we recommend is something we’ve tested, tuned, and trusted under real racing conditions.

Top-Tier Powersports & Off-Road Products

We offer a curated selection of:

• high-quality scooters

• pit bikes

• off-road gear

• racing components

Every product meets our strict standards and many include warranties lasting up to three years.

Why Racers Trust Lee Motorsports

🏁 Active competitors in national-level drag racing
🔧 25+ years of motorsports experience
🛠️ Full-service repairs, tech support & custom builds
💥 Products we’ve personally tested
🤝 Family-owned and built on reputation

Meet the Owner – Matt Lee

Integrity Built Through Experience

With 25+ years as a paramedic and over three decades in drag racing, Matt Lee brings the same calm, precise, no-BS attitude to every interaction—whether he’s helping a racer in the pits or advising a customer in the shop.

Matt grew up on horsepower and built Lee Motorsports on one core belief:

“Cheap parts cost more in the long run.”

From street/strip builds to 4-second dragsters, Matt stands behind the products he sells because he uses them himself—and uses them hard.

A Family Legacy

Lee Motorsports is proudly multi-generational. Racing has become a family tradition, and our customers become part of that family. Whether you're buying a kid’s first pit bike or a transmission for a competitive racing program, you’re treated the same—with honesty, experience, and respect.

Ready To Work With a Team That Lives This Life?

Whether you’re building a race car, shopping for powersports, or buying your first pit bike, Lee Motorsports is here to help.

👉 Shop Motorsports & Pit Bikes
👉 Get Expert Tech Help
👉 Follow Our Racing Journey