Drag Illustrated Magazine. January 2011

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January 2011
Issue 49 >> $4.95
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NHRA FINALS
High Drama & Heartbreak
ORLANDO OR BUST
World Street Nationals Remains
Crown Jewel of Street Legal Scene
SIX-SECOND
ROAD TRIPS
Larry Larson Has the Baddest
Street Car on the Planet
JEG COUGHLIN JR.

One of Pro Stock’s Best Ever
Hanging it Up
SPECIAL ISSUE
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DI49
ALL THE TRACK WILL HOLD
All About
Bob
I
n an interview at Indy, the man
known as one of the best drivers the
sport of drag racing has ever seen, Bob
Glidden, discusses the state of Pro Stock,
looks back on his own career, and what it
feels like to be back in competition after a
thirteen year absence, starting on page 80.
By Wes Buck
Photograph by Steve Embling
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CO NT E N T S
D R A G I L L U S T R AT E D 4 9 | J A N U A RY 2 0 1 1
F E AT U R ES
91 | The Hot Ones
The hottest women racers in drag racing aren’t defined by their looks, but by their
abilities behind the wheel. From two wheels to four, from nitro to nostalgia, the
female sex is well represented on the quarter- and eighth-mile.
By Ian Tocher
102 | Daily Driver
91 He’s driven it down the street to the drive-thru, filled it up at the local gas station,
even taken it on a thousand-mile road trip, stopping to make 200mph passes every
day. Larry Larson has nothing left to prove when it comes to having the Fastest
Street Car in America.
By Wes Buck
116 | D.I. Drop-In: 710 Dragway

Steeped in legend and a bit of a bad reputation, this Southeastern strip isn’t nearly
as lawless as folklore would have you believe.
By Van Abernethy
120 | When the Smoke Cleared

Having weathered a nearly year-long storm, the quickest and fastest doorslammers
on Earth, as well as the men and women who drive them, converged at the Texas
Motorplex to put a period on the American Drag Racing League’s 2010 season.
Champions were crowned and lives forever changed in the sport’s most significant
Quick-8 shootout.
By Wes Buck
H A R DC OR E
106 | The One & Only
Having provided the blueprint for street races across the nation, the one and
only World Street Nationals in Orlando remains the crown jewel of street legal
drag racing more nearly two decades. It’s not about the money, it’s not about the
numbers, it’s just that nobody does it better.
By Ian Tocher
120 D EPART M EN T S
THE DI RT
26 | Without the Yellow & Black
Pro Stock survived the departure of Jeg Coughlin, Jr. once before, but thoroughly enjoyed
his championship return in 2007. Having announced that he will once again step away, Pro
Stock fans will surely miss the presence of one of the class’ toughest competitors. His fellow
racers, however, might breathe a sigh of relief.
CO LUMNI STS
68 | Ask Smoothe
Operating behind the scenes for some five years at DI, but saved the arrival of his words to
the pages of the publication until now. Both random and racing, our own Bubba Smoothe
answers your questions, any and all.
106
Feedback...........................12 Movers & Shakers...........52 Top 8................................169
Q&A...................................46 Racing Reviews..............165
O N TH E C O VER Bob Glidden as photographed by Mark J. Rebilas in Indianapolis,

Indiana on September 4th, 2010.

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UP ON THE TIRE ®
I
always have mixed emotions as we approach the
race season’s end. I think every one in the industry does. Wesley R. Buck
Sure as I get excited about the annually race-packed Editor in ChiEf
month of October, and the championship deciding rac- wes@dragillustrated.com
es therein, as well as November and the sure-to-be-exciting
NHRA Finals, it’s over. Settling in for what is sure to be anoth-
er harsh winter in the Midwest, not even YouTube.com and a Dave Haldin
stack of old Diamond P tapes will ease the pain. I’ll be jonesin’ ChiEf ExECutivE offiCEr
for a hit of tire smoke by the time the first snow falls. dave@dragillustrated.com
As we put a bow on this latest issue of Drag Illustrated,
our attention is turned to a few last hurrahs for the 2010 sea- Wyatt Haldin
son. Even though they won’t take us out to some state-of-the-
art motorsports complex, or through the backwoods to an PrEsidEnt
For each of the marketing or sponsorship guys you have on
obscure eighth-mile drag strip, we’ll likely find a lot of what your PRI “hit list”, keep in mind that by the time you reach 515-576-2031
brings us back to the track every weekend – the people we see them, they may well have been swimming in shark infested wyatt@dragillustrated.com
when we’re there. waters for almost three days straight. When you finally get the
If there has ever been proof of our people-first approach, opportunity to meet that person you’re after, someone who Trent Salter
other than the success and mainstream popularity of NAS- may well hold the key to a lifetime of free tires or a couple PublishEr
CAR (insert sarcasm), it’d have to these trade shows that vir- spare parts, remember to see things from his or her perspec-
tually all of us find a way to attend. While we have more than 515-576-0237
tive. Would you really expect to meet someone for the first
one option, now for the second year running in Indianapolis, trent@dragillustrated.com
time, have them show you some pretty pictures of their opera-
the yearly tradition for us has been a pilgrimage to Orlando tion or a drawing of what it would look like if they had the
for the Performance Racing Industry trade show. Generally an money, and make any sort of substantial investment to be a Scott Dorman
impressive, sprawling display of an almost infinite number of part of it right there on the spot? Doubtful. dirECtor of salEs
go-fast parts, many of which never-seen-before, it’s hard to ar- Instead of pouring over your sponsorship proposal for hours 800-581-6847
gue with the real reason racers, business owners and industry correcting grammatical errors and verbiage, invest some time scott@dragillustrated.com
members make the trek – which for most is not only long, but in your people skills and leave a lasting impact with a hand-
expensive – and that’s simply to see one another. By the time shake and a few minutes of conversation. Sure, you’re out to
early December rolls around we’ve officially broken the habit make something happen, to get what you want, but aren’t we Mike Carpenter
(at least for this year) of finding a drag strip and getting our all? The problem, however, is that no one else is, as they’re in dirECtor of art & dEsign
asses to it every weekend. So while its interesting and enjoy- the same boat as you – wrapped up in getting what they want. 704-737-2299
able to fondle all the latest, greatest parts and pieces for our It’s not nearly as difficult, oftentimes no challenge at all, to mike@dragillustrated.com
race cars – the fun and excitement is 100-percent generated get a friend, be them old or new, to throw you a bone and help
by the people in attendance. with a little tow money. Especially if you first make them want
As you’ll read a few pages back in DI 49, trade shows and
conventions like PRI or IMIS are well-attended by the auto-
to help you. Everyone wants to feel good, and helping a friend SaleS OfficeS
or colleague in need is a sure way to a warm heart. It’s almost
motive high performance industry’s decision makers, but if impossible to resist an offer that you not only want to accept, nashvillE: 800-581-6847
your trip to either revolves solely around pitching your race but will also be of benefit to you or your business. fort dodgE: 800-954-1320
program to a potential sponsor, please don’t be disappointed The fact is that there’s a lot of hype out there. A whole lot
when you head home and the 6x12 U-Haul cargo trailer you of promising up-and-comers with the next big idea or the next Courtney Anctil
rented isn’t full of free crap from all your new sponsors. best opportunity going from door to door hoping to stumble 515-576-0550
Don’t get me wrong, you can wheel and deal and do busi- across a sucker, operating with disregard to what anyone oth- courtney@dragillustrated.com
ness, but you may need to temper your expectations and reer than themselves might want.
focus your efforts. Spend the whole time walking aisles, ped- Entire books have been written on the subject, like the one Will Mandell
dling your custom-made sponsorship portfolio, complete with soon to be mentioned, but a few guidelines resonate through 615-426-0465
bronze, silver and gold investment opportunities, and you’ll them all. Be sincere and don’t promise anything you cannot
will@dragillustrated.com
likely fail to take advantage of the year’s biggest networking deliver. Forget about what you have to gain and focus on the
and relationship-building exercise. Like it or lump it (Thanks, benefits to the other person or business. Be honest with your-
Rickie), the age-old adage that says, “it’s not what you know, self and consider the value that person will receive from doing phOTOgraphy
it’s who you know” is true. what you suggest. van abernethy, John fore iii
Think about it. Think about the friends you’ve made over In his book Influencing Human Behavior, Harry A. Over- Jason sharp, roger richards
the years, racing-related or not. Now think about how many street said, “Action springs out of what we fundamentally Kelly anderson, James Paul
of those relationships you would have made if the first thing desire – and the best piece of advice which can be given to
you asked that person, who may now be your best friend, your would-be persuaders, whether in business, in the home, in the addiTiONal WriTerS
wife, or your crew chief, was if they’d be interested in help- school, in politics is: First, arouse in the other person an eager van abernethy, dr. ron berges
ing you re-shingle your house in mid-July, cooking you dinner want. He who can do this has the whole world with him. He
for the next 50 years, or driving all-night without sleep after who cannot walks a lonely way.” priNTiNg aNd MailiNg
thrashing for a week to get you to the race track so you can Enjoy the holiday season, as well as the trade show sea- Publication Printers Corp.
red-light in the first round. Maybe you’re a better pitchman son, and put the highest value on your family and developing denver, Co
than me, but it’d be hard to imagine any of those scenarios meaningful relationships while you do. Both investments will
playing out well, definitely not becoming anything meaning- daTabaSe MaNageMeNT
pay dividends.
ful, valuable, or lasting. Courtney anctil
Far more often than not, we can get a lot further in life by Work Hard & Race Easy,
putting the needs of others in front of our own. While that’s
a nice, heartwarming sentiment that tempts me to carry on
about a life of selfishness – that’s really not what my goal here addreSS: P.O. Box P, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
is. The truth is, we can get what we want a lot quicker and Tele: 800-954-1320 faX: 515-576-2035
easier if we not only take into consideration the other person’s ONliNe: www.dragillustrated.com
point of view, but also their own needs and wants. At first Wesley R. Buck
Quick Service: dhaldin@frontier.com
sight, that may appear to be manipulative. It doesn’t work, Editor-in-Chief
however, if it’s not genuine. wbuck@dragillustrated.com
all ContEnts
©2010 imagePro Multimedia, inc.
10 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | dragillustrated.com I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1
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SHAKEDOWN
AT E-TOWN
Counterweight
DELIVERS!
December 2010
Issue 48 >> $4.95
dragillustrated.com
SPECIAL ISSUE
Feedback, Friendly Notes, & Hate Mail

MAKING EDWARD WILSON’S
GLORIOUS COMEBACK
THE MOVE
ADRL OHIO DRAGS IV
Shameless Man of Faith MICK SNYDER MANHANDLES

REACH FOR THE SKY
Byron Dragway’s Power
Self-Promotion
Wheelstanding Championships
I just read Van Abernethy’s article about Ed- ADRL PRO EXTREME
HOWARD MOON
ward Wilson [“What Dreams May Come,” DI 48]. It The DI Interview
I just wanted to let you know that I think you about made me shed a tear when he told about praising
are doing a fantastic job with the magazine. I remem- God and giving Him the glory. I knew Van had written
ber when you first started and in just a few short years the article before I could find the credit. Some of these
Drag Illustrated is the only magazine I will read. After racers are a hard bunch, but I believe that the way you
IHRA dismembered and dumped Pro Stock and Pro introduce stories of faith to them will give some of the
Mod like a bad habit, I didn’t renew because there racers something to think about. Also interesting was
was nothing to follow, and the National Dragster just Abernethy’s article on Brewer’s Speedway. It makes me
isn’t what it used to be. Keep up the great work, and want to hang out there on some Friday night. I would
hopefully someday, I will figure out how to plaster my certainly feel safe know that the owner is packing heat.
face on the cover or the pages of Drag Illustrated once Rick Heath, via the Internet
again.
Tony Gillig, Illinois
“The performances out of these outlaw guys
I just had to drop you a note to tell you how
great your publication is. It’s great to see a high qual- always blow my mind and as a fan and a racer,
ity drag racing publication in our sport and I wanted
to congratulate you on your efforts. I’ve been in this
I’m nothing but impressed, but I won’t deny
sport for close to 50 years and I’ve learned to appreci-
ate good journalism.
that I feel it’s way out of control.”
Lex Dudas, Vice President, Maple Grove Raceway
Females of Fuel Making the Move
Shakedown Ashley Force-Hood has surely impressed every- Considering the success spoken of, despite some
Still Poppin’ one at this point, right? Winning races, walking away
from some hairy wrecks, and showing the tenacity of
struggles along the way, in the Mick Snyder cover
story [“Making the Move,” DI 49], I have to wonder
her father, she’s earned my respect. That said, I sure how long it will take for some of the other big name
I’m unfortunately privy to the struggle that hope Alexis DeJoria does indeed go Fuel Coupe racing and successful Top Alcohol teams make the switch to
David Hance endured to procure the necessary fi- in 2011, and I wouldn’t mind seeing that Leah Pruett ADRL Pro Extreme, or even NHRA Pro Mod now that
nancial backing for his annual Shakedown at E-Town in a nitro flopper, either. it’s an official class. It has to be a huge change of pace
event, and I’m so glad to see it was such a success again Ron Elder, Seattle for someone like Mick who always had to play second
in 2010. Thanks for the great coverage of one of the fiddle to the fuel cars to be the star of the show.
Well?
events that I look forward to the most every year. It Rob Hogan, Kingston, Ontario
was also nice to read the back story behind the event in
Dave’s Pro-Motor column. While I don’t know them personally, I’ve always
Barry Jordan, via the Internet Looking at that image of Jason Scruggs’ ’63 Cor- been a fan of the Top Alcohol Funny Cars because of
vette in last month’s issue [“The Stripe/Photo of the how hard they are to drive and the journeymen racers
Thank you so much for the coverage of our Month,” DI 49], the one with all the clutch dust pour- who run them, so I was glad to see Mick Snyder on the
Shakedown at E-Town event! The pictures are very ing out from under the car, I have to wonder how he’s cover of DI 48 last month. Good to see good people
nice and really show the atmosphere. I have to say that liking the switch to a torque converter. It seems like getting some ink. That said, what happens when all the
I’m a little biased, but I loved the Pro-Moters story by sacrilege, but I guess it’s no secret. If you can’t beat ‘em, hard-working and hard-running racers in Top Alcohol
Dave Hance. It’s great to see him get recognition for all join ‘em. Either way, Scruggs won’t go long without show up in door cars? I’m not worried about the sanc-
he does to make this event possible, as well as the sup- that No. 1 on his window. Count on it. tioning body or the wellbeing of sportsman racing, I’m
port he shows for other races across the country. Chris Mills, via the Internet worried about all the outlaw Pro Mod guys who will
Michelle Marchese likely get their doors blown off by the best blown al-
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
The last thing I would want to do is ensue some

Force Hunting cohol racers in the world. Top Alcohol racers don’t get
the credit they deserve. Look at what the “Ace” Frank
Manzo has done for Al-Anabi Racing and he has no
sort of rule-writing riot, but has anyone taken into Thanks for printing that prior experience with door cars.
consideration just how fast this Tim Lynch is going in photo of Mike Dunn and Andy Jennings, via Facebook
Outlaw 10.5? I mean, seriously. 230 miles per hour? Paul Page in the Movers &
Sub 6.50s? And all at over 3,000 pounds. How can Shakers section last month
that possibly be safe, and I have to ask: where does it [DI 48]. I laughed for 5 min- Contact Us
end? The performances out of these outlaw guys at the utes straight. They weren’t LETTERS to DRAG ILLUSTRATED, P.O. Box “P”,
Shakedown always blow my mind and as a fan and a riding around merely look- Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Letters become the property of
racer, I’m nothing but impressed, but I won’t deny that ing for a story, they were rid- DRAG ILLUSTRATED and may be edited for publication.
I feel it’s way out of control. Don’t even get me started ing around looking for the ONLY story ESPN, and the E-MAIL letters@dragillustrated.com
on these non-wheelie-bar-havin’ radial cars that’d out- NHRA for that matter, want to tell – that of John or SUBSCRIBER SERVICES Go to dragillustrated.com
run almost every single one of our local Pro Mods. Ashley Force. • Subscribe • Renew • Cancel • Missing Issues
Eric Goldberg, Iowa Glen B., via the Internet • Give a Gift • Pay Bill • Change of Address
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www.dragillustrated.com
COMFORTABLY NUMB
The Long Arm
Monday Nights
of the Law
R
egulation is strangling this country.
When the new congress is seated next year, some
are already wringing their hands about the “grid-
9 PM CST
lock” that will result. In my world, every day that
the masterminds in Washington aren’t cramming new rules
down our throats is a good day. I looked on Al Gore’s amaz-
LIVE
ing internet the other day and came up with some real gems
when it comes to questionable legislation that has been
foisted upon the people of this country. Strange can only
describe some of the edicts that have come down the mount
from the ruling class. The politicos are certain that the citi- I see states instituting anti-bullying laws to protect “the
zenry of this nation are a bunch of mouth breathing morons children”. Do these people really think that they can legis-
who don’t know enough to come in out of the rain. Without late mean kids out of existence? As is usually the case in
their nanny state laws, why, whatever would we do? situations like this, government is stepping into an arena
Here are some laws on the books in the great State of that they don’t belong in. From banning cell phones while
Iowa: Horses are forbidden from eating fire hydrants, One driving to limiting sugary soft drinks in schools, do politi-
armed piano players must perform for free, and a man with cians really think this is a good use of their time? It would
a moustache may never kiss a woman in public. Just in seem to me that there are more pressing issues facing all
from Chicago: People are forbidden to fish while sitting on levels of government than to routinely becoming entangled
a giraffe’s neck and eating in a building that is on fire is not in the minutia of our daily lives. Most of the time it goes
cool. Not to be outdone, New York City and State offer up back to this “we know best” attitude that permeates govern-
these important rules. The penalty for jumping off a build- ment today.
ing is death (seriously?). Women may go topless in public I can draw some quick parallels between my anti-regu-
provided it’s not for business purposes. latory stance and the drag racing world. I’m convinced that
WES WYATT
WES WYATT
A few more examples of legal prudence from around the part of what makes the American Drag Racing League so at-
IN THE EVENING
IN THE EVENING
country: It’s agin’ the law to fish for whales (Nebraska), no tractive to both racers and fans alike is the almost complete
vehicle, without a driver, can exceed 60 mph (California), lack of rules. Of course, there are safety concerns that have
and nobody is allowed to ride a bike in a swimming pool to be adhered to, but beyond these, it’s wide open as to what
(California). I’ve got to give credit where credit is due. I can or cannot be done. It gets complicated real fast when
found these examples on the website dumblaws.com. If you the NHRA sets out to slow down one of the fuel classes be-
want to spend a knee-slapping hour looking at hundreds of cause the top end speeds are becoming scary. When new
stoooopid laws from all across the country, this is the place limitations are placed on race teams, they invariably have
for you. unintended consequences never dreamed of when the new
I chose this topic this month because I am a big fan of rules are announced.
entrepreneurs and small business people. The drag racing I guess I’m just a fan of less is more when it comes to
community is made up of untold hundreds and thousands of government and organizations herding us all around like a
individuals who have taken the risks and opened the doors bunch of cattle. This attitude of mine can probably be traced
of their own shops. The people who fit this description back to me sitting in the principal’s office in grade school
know all about the roadblocks and burdens of complying and being told “Mr. Haldin, I believe you have a problem
with local, state, and federal laws. I’m not an anarchist and with authority”. This whole nation has had a problem with
understand that there have to be standards of safety and fair unreasonable authority going back to the Boston Tea Party
play, but the heavy hand of government has practically ex- and stretching right up to the present day with the results of
tinguished the flame of innovation and free market princi- the 2010 midterm elections. We, as Americans, instinctively
pals that have made this country great. The phrase “the road know when someone is abusing the power bestowed upon
to hell is paved with good intentions” comes to mind when them and thank God we have the ability to peacefully resolve
looking at the hoops businesses have to jump through just the problem when it arises.
to open their doors and hope customers show up to spend We all know that there have to be a certain number of
money with them. Who in their right mind would have op- laws and regulations, if for no other reason than to maintain
AND AND
posed the Occupational Safety and Health Act when it was order and preserve the civil society, but it’s apparent that we
proposed? Workers have the right to be safe in their work- are about to be buried under an avalanche of legal tentacles
place, right? The reality of the situation is that if an OSHA that have worked their way into every aspect of our lives. I’ll
inspector shows up at your business, they are going to find leave you with an incident that happened this summer in
something wrong and you’re going to pay. The dirty little se- Venice, California. Armed federal agents raided a health
cret is that OSHA is self-funded through the levying of fines. food co-op and confiscated the illicit “product” that prompt-
What about the Americans with Disabilities act? Who ed the visit in the first place. The culprit? Raw, unpasteur-
would deny a person in a wheelchair access to schools, ized milk. A pretty clear indication that we’ve lost our way.
businesses, and churches? Again, the reality is the small
church congregation down the street that now has to install
a quarter of a million dollar elevator to reach the second
floor. These laws are called unfunded mandates and the
federal government, in particular, is very good at creating
them without regard to how they will be paid for. We see
this regulation expanding into every area of our lives and all Wyatt Haldin
of us are beholden to bureaucrats who don’t really seem to President
have our best interests in mind. wyatt@dragillustrated.com
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TUNING UP
All the Track Will Hold:
The Year in Review
L
ittle Jimmy Dickens once said that if you see
a turtle sitting on a fence post, he had some help
getting up there. As we reflect on the past year, we
here at Drag Illustrated realize that we could not
aspire to sit on the fence post without the help of all of you.
Our intrinsically driven, passionate and loyal community of
readers and advertisers. We simply could not do this with
out you, without your constant support and encouragement.
For this, we are very grateful. It truly provides the daily mo-
tivation for the staff at DI to strive for consistent and mean-
ingful improvement. Just like this past year in drag racing, it
has been an incredibly exciting, challenging ,at times tragic,
yet rewarding year for DI. It certainly has not been easy and
continuing to connect the dots can be an onerous task, but
it is the only one way that I have discovered over the past 25
years in media to arrive at the big end under power, and in
one piece.
Since coming on board as part of the Drag Illustrated crew
as acting Publisher in May, just like a winning race team, I
realized immediately that I had a unique opportunity to tap ership experience. The launch of the DI digital publication
into a very talented and motivated group of individuals. No has created a larger and more diversified readership audi-
different than an engine builder using a dyno to fine tune his ence. A primary objective of our new “4-Wide” Multimedia
program, we’ve been using every tool available to us to see Model is to expose and celebrate the incredible sport of drag
just how much horsepower we could wring out of this racing to a worldwide audience of new and passionate drag
Drag Illustrated engine. racing enthusiasts. If we can play
Just like a winning race team, the first step was STICK SHIFTERS
our part in ac-
to establish a crew chief to assist and lead in
, SUPER STOCKE
RS, BATTLE FOR
October 2010 THE BELTS & MO complishing this,
Issue 46 >> $4.95 RE
the process of tuning
dragillustrated.co
m
we can all drink
the car to maximum W S P E CIAL I S S U E champagne in the
MA SHO
2010 SE winner’s circle.
speed and efficiency.
Just like a winning November 2010
2011 promises to
Issue 47 >> $4.95
race team, the uni- dragillustrated.

com
be a pinnacle year
fied direction of the for Drag Illustrat-
T-E-A-M is the key ed. We are embrac-
DI 48
ingredient that will ing the challenge.
determine whether THROWDOWN! The recent launch
you get the white or
the yellow ticket at SCHUMACHER vs.
of the new DragIl-
lustrated.com web
the end of a run. Along
those same lines, I’m a
DIXON WHO WILL BE
portal will hopefully
provide a one-stop
shop to satisfy even
firm believer that creat-
ing a unified direction is PE RS EV ER IN G THE KING
PR O ST OC
GREG ANDERSONT
K
of
the most demand-
& JASON LINE OP FUEL?

crucial to positive prog- ing gearhead. The
ress. I also believe that new portal will cre-
it starts with establish- NHRA
DAVE CONN S
RETURN
OLLY ate a host of multi-
LS
ing a culture – one that U.S. NATIONA
BEHIND THE SCE
NES AT THE
OF THEM ALL
RETURNS
THE PRODIGYER’S SEAT
TO THE DRIV media experiences for
GRANDDADDY
empowers and supports our viewers, allowing
talented individuals, pro- them to get closer to the action than ever be-
viding the incentives and fore. To choose from a plethora of content sharing capabili-
motivation to raise their personal expectations to the next ties to spread the word, draft the latest players and share the
level. As is the case with any of the championship-winning incredible passion that literally brought us to the race in the
teams on the pages of this month’s issue, we understand that first place. Just like a winning race team, sharing the experi-
it is imperative to lead by example, from the driver to the ence is really what it is all about. Ho, Ho, Ho, Headbangers,
guy putting air in the tires, the chain is only as strong as the and Happy Holidays to all of you.
The DI Interview
HOWARD MOON
pionships
REACH FOR THE SKY r
Byron Dragway’s Powe
weakest link – that the sum of parts inevitably creates the

IV
EDWARD WILSON’SK
GLORIOUS COMEBAC
ADRL OHIO DRAGS
‘Nuff Sed,
ERS!
Wheelstanding Cham
ISSUE
whole. It all sounds simple, but we all know that it is much

SPECIAL
more difficult in execution.

IV
N DEL
All of us here at Drag Illustrated believe we have what it

takes to be a winning race team and we are proud of the pos-
OW
itive progress we have experienced this past year. We also

AT E-T
realize that we have a long ways to go to make it to the fin-

ish line. In our eyes, we’re just past the 60-foot cones. With Trent Salter
T H E M OV E HANDLES
your continued support, we can get there together. We have

DOWN
MAKING
Publisher
MICK SNYDER MAN E
ADRL PRO EXTREM
relentlessly invested in creating a more mature and credible

trent@dragillustrated.com
SHAKE
product that we hope has significantly improved your read-

ted.com
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December 2010
Issue 48 >>
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Staging Lanes
PRESENTED BY
www.eharwood.com
HEART OF A
CHAMPION
In his dominating performance en route to the
2009 NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock world
championship, Mike Edwards rarely took any
credit for his successes in arguably the tough-
est category in all of drag racing. From start
to finish, despite establishing such an obvious
performance advantage throughout the course
of the season, Edwards never lost sight of his
strong faith and morals. Following a holeshot
loss to Greg Stanfield at this year’s biggest event,
the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Edwards
expressed his thankfulness for being able to do
race for a living, and uttered the powerful words,
“He [Stanfield] deserves something like this, he’s
been around a long time.” When on-track rival
Greg Anderson clinched the 2010 champion-
ship at the conclusion of qualifying at the NHRA
World Finals in Pomona on November 11th, even
though he won’t be able to wear the No. 1 next
season, still displayed the heart of a champion.
Photograph by
Mark J. Rebilas
O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
Brownsburg, Indiana
September 6 th, 2010
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Staging Lanes
PRESENTED BY
www.fuelairspark.com
MAKING
MOVES
Jim Halsey and Greg Godwin, a pair of Pro
Nitrous cowboys, wrestle their respective mounts
down the eighth-mile at the Texas Motorplex,
home of the ADRL’s annual championship-
deciding event each October. Halsey, well known
as one of the best in the world of nitrous racing,
has struggled to regain form throughout 2010
with a potent new 867 cubic inch engine from
Gene Fulton, of course equipped with four stages
of nitrous. His performances have illustrated
tremendous potential, however, so Halsey is still
on his competitor’s radar.
Photograph by
Mark J. Rebilas
Texas Motorplex
Ennis, Texas
October 22 nd, 2010
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Staging Lanes
PRESENTED BY
www.lucasoil.com
EVERYONE
IS WAITING
Following an otherworldly 6.57-second,
227.38mph (1.156 to 60-feet, 4.40/178mph at the
eighth-mile), David Wolfe had everyone’s atten-
tion at the recently completed Import vs. Domes-
tic World Cup Finals at Maryland International
Raceway. Considering Wolfe’s Fox Body Mustang
retains its stock appearance and has a rolling
weight of well over 3,000 pounds, displaying the
quickness of a Pro Stocker and the speed of a Pro
Mod – on 315-series drag radials without wheelie
bars – is borderline unbelievable.
Photograph by
Van Abernethy
Maryland International Raceway
Budds Creek, Maryland
November 6 th, 2010
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the
Wat e r b o x PRESENTED BY
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HEADLIGHTS
THROUGH THE HAZE
PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK J. REBILAS Jimmy Blackmon brings the 33x10.5W Mickey Thompsons on the back of
TEXAS MOTORPLEX his 1968 Pontiac Firebird to a boil as he streaks across the starting line of
ENNIS, TEXAS Billy Meyer-owned Texas Motorplex outside Dallas during the Friday night
OCTOBER 22ND, 2010 qualifying session for Extreme 10.5 during the season-ending LenMar
Motorsports ADRL World Finals VII. Blackmon, a chassis builder based out
of Rockmart, Georgia, has made the transition from traditional 3,000-pound
Outlaw 10.5 racing to the no-holds-barred ADRL version with his new
car and has shown tremendous promise with the alcohol-burning twin-
turbocharged big block Chevrolet between the frame rails.
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ADRL MINUS NOWLING Pg.76 CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION 2010 Pg.146
GOT DIRT? DIRT@DRAGILLUSTRATED.COM

the
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
to Step Away
from Pro Stock
Class in 2011
By Scott “Woody” Woodruff
F
ive-time world champion have won the races and champion-
drag racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. ships we’ve won for the yellow and
has announced he will not black. It’s just been a phenomenal
return to Pro Stock in 2011. One of ride, and it’s not over by any means.
the most prolific drivers in NHRA I have been going Mach II with my
history, Coughlin is planning a less hair on fire since the early 90’s and I
hectic schedule of Sportsman events kind of want to take a breath.”
in a variety of race cars in 2011, for- To date, Coughlin has collected
going the time demands of the 22- four Pro Stock titles (2000, 2002,
race professional circuit. 2007, and 2008) and 52 national
“We took most of 2006 off just event Pro Stock trophies to go with
to kind of have a break from it all,” one Super Gas world championship
the 40-year-old Coughlin said. “We (1992) and 14 more national event
did a lot of high-dollar bracket races Sportsman victories.
and select Lucas Oil Sportsman Se- Aside from his own future racing
ries events here and there with no endeavors, Coughlin plans to serve
particular schedule in mind. We as a crewman for his fiancé Saman-
kind of just raced when we wanted tha Kenny and his nephew Troy
to and it was a lot of fun. That is the Coughlin Jr., who both run Super
direction I am heading now. Comp. He also plans to support the
“When the chance to get back into racing efforts of brothers John, Troy,
Pro Stock presented itself towards Mike and their families.
the end of ‘06 we sat down and “I’m also very excited about hav-
thought about the goals we could ing the time to go to more of my son
go for if we did return. We knew we Jeggie’s golf tournaments. He’s so
wanted to pass the 50-win mark. passionate about the sport and he’s
We accomplished that. We wanted turning into quite the golfer. I look
to be in position to contend for the forward to watching his develop-
championship each year, and we ment continue.
won two more since we returned. “I also want to make it clear that
And we really wanted to salute our I’m not done racing at the pro lev-
dad and family business on the 50th el. I have been approached and am
anniversary of JEGS, which hap- considering some of the opportuni-
pened throughout this season. ties. I have no idea what the future
“My career has turned out better will hold. I just know that for right
than I would have ever imagined. I now I want to take a step back and
feel so fortunate to have raced with relax a little bit.”
the people I’ve raced with and to
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Sprint Cup
Champ to
Dabble in
Pro Stock
By Robert Salter
I
t’s not likely that the 2004 NASCAR
Sprint Cup champion will abandon the
sport that has earned him better than
$60 million in his eleven years making
Ken Black Returns to Drag

laps, but it has been confirmed that Kurt
Busch, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge,
will test his abilities behind the wheel of a
legit NHRA Pro Stock car in 2011.
Strip in Vegas; Serves as Grand

After securing his Pro Stock license at
Roy Hill’s Drag Racing School in early No-
vember at Rockingham Dragway in North
Carolina, Busch told CompetitionPlus.com
Marshal of Event By Wes Buck

that he would make his second drag rac-
ing debut at the NHRA Gatornationals next
spring, if they were ready.
“If we’re ready,” said Busch, “We plan on
O
ne of the most beloved renting a car from Allen Johnson, with the
blessing of Mopar, and attempt to make
members of the professional
the field in Gainesville.”
drag racing community, Ken All things considered, this is a fantastic
Black, owner of the KB Racing Pro development that will result in even great-
Stock team comprised of champions er media interest than Busch’s original de-
Greg Anderson and Jason Line, was but in the sportsman ranks of NHRA drag
finally able to return to his quarter- racing earlier in 2010. Busch, however,
readily acknowledged that his participa-
mile haven for the NHRA Las Vegas tion in the Gatornationals would be contin-
Nationals in late October. Black, who gent on not only whether he was prepared
suffered a debilitating stroke in De- as a driver, but if his team was prepared to
cember of 2009, had been kept away maintain the car.
from the drag strip ever since as he “There is a big difference between 7.5
seconds and what you need to run to
recuperated from the incident.
make a Pro Stock field,” said Busch. “This
Prior to the event, Black said, “I our test session, and can’t wait for this qualifying, I obviously didn’t have an isn’t as easy as I thought it would be, but
am really looking forward to getting weekend to get here. I’m ready to go advantage on anybody. I didn’t have we’re getting there and the past three
back to the track this weekend. The racing.” lane choice all day and wasn’t making days haven’t been all about me learning
response from the drag racing com- Fittingly, Black was on hand Sun- particularly good runs, but somebody the race car. This has been about my crew
day to oversee the opening festivities was just guiding my car to the finish learning what it takes to prepare one of
munity throughout my recovery has
these cars to race.”
been nothing short of tremendous, and witness one of his two cars win line ahead of the other guy. Having enjoyed great success in stock
and it will be great to see everyone the final round later that afternoon “I couldn’t have drawn this week- car racing, it’s not likely that Busch would
and thank them for keeping us in their when Anderson and Line met for all end up any better than it turned out, make a full-time switch to drag racing with
thoughts and prayers. I’m honored the marbles. and the best part is how it’s going to each series’ demanding schedule. Having
that the folks at The Strip have chosen “Without a doubt, this is the best impact Ken Black. We were thrilled the charismatic driver on hand for even a
few races each season, though, especially
me to severe as grand marshall. day I have ever had at a racetrack,” said to have him back at the track with us, in a Pro Stocker, will be great for the sport
“Most of all, I can’t wait to be out Anderson, who bested his running and hope our performance today goes of drag racing.
there with Greg, Jason, and all my mate with a 6.65 at 207.43mph. “I am a mile towards his recovery. It was just Speaking as to the differences of the
guys on the KB Racing crew. I’m so just about speechless, which sounds a great team effort, and it starts at the motorsports disciplines, Busch said, “Driv-
proud of what they’ve done this year, odd for me. It was truly unbelievable top with Ken Black. I love the man, ing one of these cars is a two-minute high,”
said Busch. “It’s a 10 for the two minutes it
and even though we’ve been in con- how this Summit Racing team won his family and my entire race team,
takes to complete a run. Driving a Cup car
stant contact, there’s nothing like be- today. Everything I wished and prayed and feel lucky to be associated with is a four hour session which has its highs
ing out on the track with them. I had for came true. The competition in them.” and lows, but is a seven for almost the en-
a little taste of it last weekend during this category is so tough and after tire time.”
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Angie Smith
Dismounts Pro
Stock Cycle,
Set to Enter
Door Wars
By Wes Buck
T
hough virtually all of her racing experience has come
on two wheels, first on a no-wheelie bar, seven-sec-
ond street bike leading up to an impressive run at
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle, Angie McBride-Smith
recently made it known that she would be moving into the
NHRA Pro Stock category in 2011.
The rough and tumble world of factory hot rod will admit-
tedly be a massive change of pace for Smith, but she appears
to be ready for what lies ahead.
“It’s going to be a lot different, but I’m up for the challenge.
I’m beyond excited about the opportunity,” said McBride, mo-
ments after a photograph of her strapped into a doorslammer
appeared on her personal Facebook page. “We’re just adding
two wheels. I’m nervous, but I’m excited at the same time. I re-
ally want to do well, and I’m aware of the fact that I’m facing a
really big learning curve. Like I’ve said, unlike the bike, I can’t
move a Pro Stock car where I want it to go – I’ll be strapped
in it.”
According to the standout bike rider, who is married to for-
mer NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith, son
of legendary Pro Stock and Pro Modified racer, Rickie Smith,
she will make her debut passes following the completion of
the NHRA season behind the wheel of a Bob Yonke-owned
Pro Stock Pontiac GXP. While an engine builder has yet to be
named, she will test with a Yonke/Stanfield engine between
the frame rails.
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Who rightly qualifies? “Five NHRA ProStock

Championships all won
“Our KB Racing pistons are custom-made. with Diamond Pistons!”
With Pro Stock engines turning in excess of KB Racing talents,
10,000 rpm, the pistons must be perfect for Greg Anderson & Jason Line
repeatability. We inspect each of them
to the closest tolerances—there is no
room for error. We’ve been using
Diamond from the beginning–they
make the best pistons, they are easy
to deal with, and they go the extra
quarter mile when we’re in a hurry.”
KB Racing
One piston? No Problem!
For peace of mind become acquainted with Diamond’s unique
“one piston, no problem” policy. Whether off-the-shelf or uncommon It’s Your Race and Our Reputation
part number or custom-built, Diamond will manufacture one or more of
their pistons as single items and always at a reasonable cost.
Call 586.792.6620 or visit: www.diamondracing.net
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Cory Mac Released by DSR;

Exploring 2011 Options
By Judy Stropus, Robert Salter
C
ory McClenathan will be released from Don Schumacher Racing,
following the conclusion of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series,
announced team owner Don Schumacher on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010.
McClenathan, who has been racing the FRAM Top Fuel dragster for DSR since
2008 and has been sponsored by Honeywell brands FRAM, Prestone and Auto-
lite since 2006, had been in the midst of a tight Top Fuel championship battle that
included him, Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher throughout the NHRA’s playoff
program, the Countdown to the Championship.
“This was a tough decision to make,” said Schumacher. “Cory has done such an
outstanding job for DSR and Honeywell and he has been an important member of
the DSR family. He is a remarkable race car driver, and clearly a champion in the
making.
“I have invited Cory to stay on with the team until he finds another ride. I have
also asked him to be available if we were in need of a test driver or if we were to in- than’s replacement will be either Steve Torrence or Spencer Massey, who formerly
troduce another team in the future.” drove for legendary team owner Don Prudhomme in NHRA Top Fuel competition.
A replacement driver will reportedly be named following the conclusion of the This scenario seems likely considering McClenathan’s admittance on Bobby Ben-
2010 NHRA season. nett’s CompetitionPlus.com that the team, primarily the FRAM brand, was seeking
“I am not retiring,” said McClenathan, 47. “I have had a wonderful relationship a younger driver that would better fit their target demographic.
with Don Schumacher, both personal and professional. I am grateful to him and to “I think anytime you face something like this, it’s hard,” McClenathan said shortly
Honeywell for all they have done for me. after the official announcement was made. “It’s hard for me because of my relation-
“Right now I have to focus on trying to win the 2010 championship, which I want ship with Don and with FRAM. But when I look at the reasons for it, I certainly
to do for DSR, for Fram, Prestone and Autolite and, of course, for myself. After this understand it. It wasn’t because of something I was doing wrong behind the wheel.
season is over, I will pursue other opportunities to continue racing in the NHRA Full It wasn’t something I was doing wrong as a spokesperson. It was simply put out to
Throttle Series.” me that they were looking for a younger market.
Since McClenathan joined DSR in 2008, he has won five national events in 15 “Now that it’s out there, I am hoping some of them will call me,” said McClenathan
final rounds to date, and was No. 1 qualifier eight times. He set the quickest elapsed of his newfound free agent status. “I can do some of these teams good as a driver and
time in NHRA history (racing to 1000 feet) of 3.752 seconds in 2010. In his 20-year can even save some of them money that a rookie couldn’t do. There’s always a learn-
career, he has won 34 national events in 65 final rounds to date and qualified No. 1 ing curve and these cars haven’t gotten easier to drive. The experience I’ve had has
38 times. He was the championship runner-up four times. come in handy lately.”
According to sources deeply entwined in the drag racing industry, McClena-
Amalie Oil to McMillen: We Want Two More Years

By Bobby Bennett
I
t was one of the more positive to see sponsors come and go during a
news items which slipped under the three year period,” McMillen said. “To
radar on Saturday afternoon dur- be entering our 12th year with Amalie
ing the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. But Oil is truly amazing. I look forward to
for first year full-time NHRA Top Fuel continuing this program for years to
racer Terry McMillen the moment was come.”
front and center. McMillen will always been remem-
McMillen could only smile when bered as Amalie Oil’s first full-time foray
executives of the Amalie Oil company into the rough and tumble world of the
announced to his team huddled within NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series.
their hauler their intentions to extend “Drag racing has been extremely good
his contract two more years. for Amalie Oil,” said McMillen. “We
“Terry and his team have always ex- came over here [NHRA Top Fuel] not
ceeded our expectations,” confirmed knowing what to really expect. We al-
Denny Madden, Sr. Vice President, ways knew that Amalie Oil delivered a
Amalie Oil. “This year they raised the great product. The relationship between
bar to a whole new level and Amalie is Andrew Bornstein and Denny Madden
excited to partner with Terry through has been tremendous as well. Every
the 2012 season. We’re proud of our 12 year, we find ways to grow the business
year relationship with them and look to keep impacting the bottom line. It’s
forward to many more.” been a win-win situation for all of us.
According to a source within the team, “Coming over to the NHRA has been
the extension also includes further acti- awesome because this is clearly the best
vation of the brand with about ten extra of the best. This is where you find out
major hospitality events taking place in what kind of a team you have at the end
2011. of the day.”
For McMillen, it seems as if it were McMillen concluded his first season
yesterday, that he rolled his first Amalie just outside of the Countdown to 1 but
Oil-sponsored Top Alcohol Funny Car remains ready to try and accomplish the
out of the trailer. feat for 2011.
“In motorsports marketing, you tend
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Apologies Abound Following Las Vegas Nats;

NHRA Announces Oil-Down Penalty
By Wes Buck With low car counts and short fields
being the talk of town for a majority of
D
espite one of the largest the regular NHRA season, it will be dif-
crowds in the history of the ficult to start penalizing a number of
NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, the teams that may wind up as regular
one of two national events held yearly participants in 2011. Not to mention the
at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speed- fact that a late game rule change such as
way, the NHRA management team, es- this could have had serious implications
pecially its most public figure, Graham in the championship scenario. Fortu-
Light, struggled to deem the weekend a nately, that wasn’t the case in Pomona.
success. While the NHRA Full Throttle It will, however, be interesting to see if
Drag Racing Series came one step closer this is a rule that carries over into 2011.
to climax and fans did witness some Force agreed that the oil downs were
great racing, the event was plagued by a problem, but had a different opinion
lengthy clean ups – the result of almost as to how teams should be penalized for
innumerable oil downs, wrecks and infractions.
fires. “We’ve got to do something,” he said.
Saturday served as the host for a ma- “All that down time is bad for our TV.
jority of the delays as nearly eight hours, It’s bad for the racers. I don’t think they
a full workday in most people’s eyes, should take away points. I think they
was spent cleaning the racing surface. should charge you money.”
Considering professional qualifying was The NHRA did attach a monetary
scheduled to conclude at 3:30 p.m. and fine to their policy; the first violation
the final pair of cars cleared the top end will come with a $2,500 fine, the second
of the track thirty minutes till 10 p.m., it double that amount.
isn’t hard to understand the frustrations “Given the strict curfews that must be
of NHRA execs and race fans. adhered to in Pomona, and the fact that
Speaking in an interview with Com- championships need to be decided, it
petitionPlus.com, Light, who serves as would be impossible to finish the event
Vice President of Operations for the in a timely fashion if the delays due to
NHRA, said, “I want to apologize for oil were to continue at the same rate
the quality of the show. This oil down is- they have the last several races,” said
sue is becoming more of a problem and Light, in a prepared statement prior to
a problem we have to resolve with the the NHRA World Finals. “We wanted to
teams. We will resolve it. This is unac- create a strong policy that would ensure
ceptable.” the teams make every effort to contain
NHRA, along with their track own- oil, while not significantly impacting the
ers, recognize they are competing for outcome of the championships.”
fan’s entertainment dollar and can’t ex- According to their initial press re-
pect them to weather such long-lasting lease, this program only pertained to the
storms – especially when a single drop final race of the 2010 season, but NHRA
of rain hadn’t fallen from the sky. officials would develop a comprehensive
John Force, the newly crowned 2010 policy for the 2011 season.
NHRA Full Throttle world champion in
Nitro Funny Car, was quick to point out
that the influx of oil downs, while surely
not welcome, was merely the result of an
influx of cars.
“Remember, you had a lot of cars here,”
he said. “You had guys who hadn’t run
all year. You had guys testing for Pomo-
na and learning how to run their cars.
Some of them did a pretty good job.”
Within days of the completion of the
NHRA Las Vegas Nationals an oil down
penalty was announced for the upcom-
ing event in Pomona for the Top Fuel
and Funny Car categories. In Pomona,
teams depositing oil on the track dur-
ing any qualifying or elimination round
will result in loss of the elapsed time and
speed for that run. In qualifying, the
time will be voided for all purposes. On
Sunday, the time would be voided for
purposes of lane choice, run sequence,
and national records. Should the violat-
ing team win the round, it will advance
in the bracket, be deemed the round
winner and maintain points earned.
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Smith & Company Score Inaugural Pro Mod Crown;

Set to Attend NHRA Championship Banquet
By Wes Buck pionship prize when he took the tree in
the opening round of eliminations, and
D
riving ace Von Smith and having qualified in the No. 6 spot with
crew chief Howard Moon are no a 5.982-second, 243.06 mph blast, was
strangers to success in drag rac- surely in the hunt to win the event. De-
ing, both having secured multiple world spite leaving with the starting line ad-
championships in years passed, yet both vantage over Jay Payne in the quarterfi-
will readily admit that securing the in- nals, tire shake brought the 2010 season
augural Get Screened America NHRA to a close a bit prematurely for the Bar-
Pro Mod Drag Racing Series title is as wa Racing team, but they still left the
monumental of an achievement as ei- property with the world championship.
ther have to their credit. Per the Pro Modified category’s new-
“Just being the first one, that sums found “official” status, Von Smith and
it all up,” says Smith, checking in from the Barwa Racing team will be attend-
the team’s race shop in Oak Ridge, Ten- ing the upcoming NHRA Full Throttle
nessee. “I think it’s safe to say everyone Awards Ceremony following the com-
will always remember who won the first pletion of the NHRA season this coming
championship with Pro Modified as an ing team has given me an incredible als, though as Smith will attest, it wasn’t weekend in Pomona.
official pro category in the NHRA, and race car,” continues Smith. “We had a something that could be taken for “It’s exciting to have the opportunity
we couldn’t be more proud to have been few trials and tribulations to deal with granted. to be a part of such a grand event,” says
the ones to do it. That said, we’re as throughout the season, but this team’s “Going into Vegas, our goal wasn’t Smith of the invitation-only black-tie
much honored to have had the oppor- commitment never waivered. We simply to qualify, clinch the champi- event in Los Angeles, California. “Hav-
tunity in the first place, as we are any- couldn’t be happier that we were able to onship and then just take it easy,” says ing been a part of the Pro Modified cate-
thing. The competition in 2010 was as deliver a world championship to Sheikh Smith. “We wanted to leave an impres- gory for quite some time now, I couldn’t
fierce as we’ve ever seen it and I believe Khalid for Al-Anabi Racing, the people sion, make our mark and win the race be more excited to see our class recog-
the class, in terms of both professional- of Qatar, and Barwa. We couldn’t do this – winning the championship in the pro- nized at this level and be able to perform
ism and performance, is at an all-time without them.” cess. Honestly, we would have liked to on the grandest stage in all of drag rac-
high. Their place in history was cemented had sealed the deal in Charlotte, but it ing in the NHRA.”
“I have to give credit where it’s due, by merely qualifying for the recently wasn’t meant to be.”
and from start to finish this Barwa Rac- completed NHRA Las Vegas Nation- Smith claimed the $50,000 cham-
Danny Rowe Takes Second in

Pro Mod Points; Set to Return
in 2011 with Sterling Bridge
By Wes Buck
O
n the heels of yet another second – especially at this level.”
incredible season behind the Having cemented their status as pe-
wheel of the Sterling Bridge ’67 rennial front runners and champion-
Camaro Pro Modified, Danny Rowe is ship contenders, qualifying in the Top 5
already looking forward to 2011 with at six of ten events this season, winning
high expectations. Perhaps even more the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring
exciting is that Sterling Bridge, a loyal Nationals in Houston, as well as amass-
supporter of Danny Rowe Racing, is ing numerous round wins, Danny Rowe
equally enthusiastic about 2011 and will and company are looking to build on
continue their marketing partnership their success in 2010, and are excited to
with DRR through next year’s racing have Sterling Bridge on board.
season. Considering Rowe closed out “We’re honored to receive the sup-
the 2010 Get Screened America NHRA port we have over the years from all of
Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season as our sponsors and manufacturers,” says
No. 2 in the world, both parties are op- Rowe, a five-time winner in NHRA Pro in the year, and I’m really proud of my Norwalk, Indianapolis and Charlotte.
timistic as to what the future holds for Modified competition. “To have Sterling crew and crew chief Jimmy Rector. The touring series will make a second
the team. Bridge back in 2011 is a great privilege He’s given me a consistently fast race stop at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor
“Coming into the final race of the sea- and we’re looking forward to carrying car throughout the year and our team Speedway for the season-ending event
son in Las Vegas, we knew we had a slim over all that we learned this season and chemistry has never been better, we’ve in October. Danny Rowe and the Ster-
chance of getting around Von [Smith] contending for the championship again just got to come back next year and get ling Bridge Pro Modified team will be
in the points,” says Rowe, who receives next year. right back after it.” doing battle with as many as 26 of the
additional support from Competition “I believe we saw Pro Modified at its NHRA officials recently announced 250-mph doorslammers next season,
Products. “We just wanted to do our job absolute best here in the Get Screened the 10-race 2011 Get Screened America though, as the NHRA increased the
and finish out the season as number two America NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series number of entries at each event due to
in the world. You’d like to win them all, Series this year,” Rowe continued. “The schedule with the addition of the 12th the ever-increasing popularity of the
and we surely wanted to win this first quality of the cars and teams is unpar- annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Na- class. With a total purse reaching nearly
championship with the class as an of- alleled and we’re looking forward to an tionals in Las Vegas next April, along a half-million dollars, 2011 promises to
ficial touring pro category, but we’re all even better 2011. I think we had a great with the tour’s regular stops in Hous- be another phenomenal year of growth
very satisfied and proud to have finished season, earned a win in Houston early ton, Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol, for Pro Modified drag racing.
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SEMA 2010:
Optimism High Among
Buyers & Exhibitors
By Peter MacGillivray
T
he vibe from the 2010 SEMA Show was overwhelm-
ingly positive, with more than 100,000 industry pro-
fessionals gathering last week in Las Vegas.
“The enthusiasm and attitude was huge,” said Tony
Napoli Jr., owner of American Speed Center of York, Pennsyl-
vania. As a SEMA Board member, Napoli went into the 2010
event knowing that industry participation would be up from
the previous year. Still, he was overwhelmed and impressed
with what he saw.
“[The 2010 SEMA Show] was as good, if not better, than any
Show in recent years. There’s a fair amount of new products
that I’m seriously looking to add to my inventory in the coming
year, and I had an opportunity to deal with some new vendors
that I’ve never dealt with before.”
Feedback like Napoli’s is what Show organizers ultimately
rely on to gauge the success of the event.
“Our customers speak louder than the numbers,” said Chris
Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Based on what we’re
hearing, the 2010 SEMA Show was a very positive bounce for
the industry.”
SEMA presented Mike Spagnola, founder and president of
Street Scene Equipment and long-time SEMA member, with
the 2010 Person of the Year Award at the SEMA Show in Las
Vegas.
“I’ve long considered myself lucky to work in an industry
I love and serve as an advocate for issues that have such a
tremendous impact on the future of the automotive aftermar-
ket,” said Mike Spagnola. “Being recognized by my peers,
many of whom I respect and feel fortunate to have worked
with, is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive.”
Spagnola has been involved in the specialty-equipment in-
dustry for more than 30 years, having worked in both manu-
facturing and distribution. He is known for his understanding
of the importance of collaboration within the specialty-equip-
ment industry based on his willingness to assist magazines
and others in the industry build project cars.
Spagnola is currently serving his second term on the SEMA
Board of Directors. He also served as the chairman of the
SEMA Scholarship Committee for several years and is pas-
sionate about ensuring that the association gives back to
the community by helping to bring the next generation of stu-
dents successfully into the industry. In addition to volunteer-
ing his time to numerous SEMA events, Spagnola is credited
with creating SEMA’s Annual Pinewood Drag Race and Show
‘N Shine Car Show for charity, which coincide with SEMA’s
annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. These events
have helped raise more than $500,000 for two children’s
charities.
Created in 1969, the Person of the Year Award recognizes
individuals for their distinguished service to the trade asso-
ciation and the specialty-equipment industry. One of SEMA’s
most prestigious honors, the Person of the Year Award is pre-
sented in front of thousands of industry leaders and profes-
sionals during the annual Industry Awards Banquet at the
SEMA Show.
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Two Car Team Coming for Moyer

By Ian Tocher
‘T
urbo Todd” Moyer is go-
ing to have a little help in the
ADRL Extreme 10.5 (XTF) Gateway Closes
wars next season.
Longtime Outlaw 10.5 driver and past its Doors
NHRA Pro Stock pilot Lamar Swindoll By Robert Salter
Jr. will take over the wheel of Moyer’s
race-winning, twin-turbocharged ’04 Following an announcement late
Cavalier, while Moyer will steer a brand- in the season that neither NHRA
new ’63 Corvette that’s presently under nor NASCAR would stage events at
construction at Terry Murphy Race Cars Gateway International Raceway in
in Blue Springs, Missouri. 2011, longstanding scuttlebutt that
“We’re going to have a two-car team the facility would cease operations
in 2011,” Moyer confirmed. “In addition was growing difficult to deny. On
to our new car we’re also having a new November 3rd, Dover Motorsports
trailer built by Competition Trailers in Inc., the publicly traded company that
Tyler, Texas. It’ll have two awnings, one owns the facility, announced that it
for each side so you can work on a car would be closing down the multi-
from the right side or the left side of the purpose facility.
trailer whenever you want to.” “Gateway is a tremendous racing
Murphy said Moyer approached him facility in a great racing community,
about building a new car after inspect- but we are simply unable to oper-
ing the ’63 Vette that Eric Stubbs drove ate it with an acceptable return,”
in XTF trim for Randy Whitman this said Denis McGlynn, President and
year. CEO of Dover Motorsports. “We
“That used to be my personal car. It’s truly appreciate the many years of
the same one I drove to one of the first dedication shown by our Gateway
three-second laps in Pro Nitrous back employees and their efforts to make
in 2007 at Dallas,” Murphy said. “That Gateway such a great destination for
car is pretty light, too; it’s under 2,200 all those passionate about our sport
pounds with the driver in it and this new – from racing fans to drivers to spon-
one we’re hoping will be even lighter. sors, team owners and sanctioning
But Eric runs a small-block with a sin- bodies.”
gle turbo and Todd of course runs a big- According to a statement posted
block with two turbos, but from what on the facility’s website, the major-
we’ve been trying to do in changing a ity of the track is leased from third
few things around here and there—al- parties. The company owns approxi-
though not as far as chassis configura- mately 150 acres of the facility and
tion—it oughta’ be just as light.” has been in discussions with several
It’s the first full-tube-chassis race car interested purchasers.
Moyer’s ever built from the ground up The land for the strip was first
and an all-new, Jeff Naiser-built, twin- prepared for drag racing as early as
turboed, 5.3-inch bore space motor 1967 and ran under the American
boasting “about 660 cubic inches” also Hot Rod Association sanction during
will be part of mix. the 1970s and into the 1980s. The
“I’m looking forward to it,” Moyer said. track then switched to the IHRA
“It will be a little lighter, maybe 150, 200 sanction and contested races into
pounds lighter and it’ll have a longer the 1990s. Chris Pook purchased the
wheelbase. My current car is an ex-Pro facility in 1994 and revealed a devel-
Stock car based on a 105-inch wheel- opment plan to upgrade the facility.
base and the new car will have a 112- The track contested its first NHRA
inch wheelbase. It’ll be double frame event during the 1997 season and
rails, just like (Chuck) Ulsch is running, for the XTF class, real ’63 Corvette tail- Rogers said Swindoll will be mak- hosted its final NHRA national event
(Dan) Millen; that’s all that they have lights would be used out back to further ing his first test laps in the Cavalier later in May 2010.
that we don’t have currently, a better- promote the car’s authenticity. this month and he’s currently with Mur- Reportedly, the facility’s massive
working car with more room for chassis Moyer’s crew chief, Chad Rogers, said phy at his shop making final measure- debt stemming from a $21.5 mil-
tuning.” he’s looking forward to gaining what- ments and fitting the engine and turbo- lion loan from the state of Illinois to
Also at Moyer’s request, the new car ever extra data he can from having two chargers into the Vette before it goes in construct the complex, which was
will retain classic Corvette dimensions, cars on the track at each ADRL national for white paint with silver ghost flames based on the securing of an annual
even foregoing the huge wings with tall, event. He explained that he’ll remain by Ken Billings of Liquid & Powdercoat NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide
vertical spill plates that are becoming so focused on Moyer’s efforts with the new Finishes in Kansas City. series events that never came to frui-
common in the class. ride, but also will serve in a consulting “We’ve got a lot of new stuff planned tion, not surprisingly, make profiting
“We’re just going to use a regular-type role to Swindoll on the Cavalier. for next season. New car, new trailer, virtually impossible. Take into con-
wing—a little bigger than what’s on my “I realize the cars are pretty different, new motor combination; if everything sideration the yearly property taxes
Cavalier—but not much because I don’t but any time you can see exactly what’s goes right we’ll be testing it sometime in said to be over $2.5 million yearly
think a big wing on a 10-inch-tire car is happening with a car on the track it’s go- December; maybe January at the latest, (also based on presumed NASCAR
that critical,” he said. ing to help,” Rogers said. “Lamar knows but hopefully December by the looks of dates), and it’s hard to believe the
Murphy added that although small his stuff and he and I work really well it,” Moyer said. “We’re excited; next year facility operated for as long as it did
driving lights would be fitted down low together, too, so I think we’ll be able to can’t start soon enough as far as we’re needing nearly five-million-dollars to
on the front end as required headlights help each other out quite a lot.” concerned.” even open the gates each season.
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New Car Coming for

Original Outlaw Bil Clanton
By Ian Tocher
B
il Clanton is following in his father’s tire tracks with the con-
struction of a ’69 Camaro Pro Mod.
Back in the ‘70s, Ralph Clanton and his similarly-bodied “Big Money” ride
ruled the roost at outlaw eighth-milers scattered throughout the Southeast before a
devastating rollover accident at Winston County Dragstrip in Alabama put a prema-
ture end to his racing career.
But son Bil (there’s no second “L”), kept the “Big Money” moniker alive, most
recently on the familiar, fan-favorite ’53 Studebaker he’s campaigned the last eight
years or so from his Rome, Georgia, base.
“The Studebaker is for sale,” Clanton declared less than a week after winning an
outlaw Pro Mod race with it Nov. 6, at Emerald Coast Dragway in Holt, Florida. “It’s
time for a change. We just need something lighter and a little more aerodynamic.”
A brand-new Hairy Glass body was delivered to Clanton’s race shop just last week
and he plans to start bending and welding pipe very soon in order to have the new Southern Outlaw Tour deal and whatever other outlaw races they have here in the
car ready for next spring. He cautions not to expect a titanium-filled featherweight, South.”
however. As far as replicating the Stude’s distinctive look, all Clanton could confirm is
“I may do some small parts like the pedals, but I can’t afford a lot of that stuff. that the new car would be “similar” in appearance, giving longtime fans something
We’ll just do the best we can.” familiar to look forward to.
A three-time winner in the ADRL’s Pro Extreme class, Clanton said, “if we can get “We’re working on the design now. I know it’ll be red, white and blue, and have
it light and fast enough,” he plans to enter the new Camaro in two or three ADRL the bird on it somewhere,” he said. “And it’ll still be ‘Big Money,’ we can’t ever get rid
events next year. of that. And you never know, we may go back to the Studebaker later on. I’ve got a
“We definitely won’t run the whole circuit, just the races that aren’t too far away spare body here that I can cut up and do some work on to design a different car. I’ve
that we don’t have to fly in and can drive to,” he said. “Other than that we’ll run that just got to get this new one built first.”
ADRL PXM Standout Owens Recovering from Crash

it easy for a few days.” how I feel, but I’ve got a few months off
Owens was racing to re-group. I’m not sure what we’ll do
Thompson in the finals of with the bike, if we’ll build a new one or
the Pro Mod Showdown what. I’ll have to talk to (team owner)
at the Haunted Hallow- Paul (Gast) about that.
een Blowout. But I’m sure when the first race rolls
Owens, the winningest around I’ll be ready to go. My plans
PXM driver in ADRL his- won’t change. I’ll still be there.”
tory, ended up setting a In an interview following the wreck,
track record to earn the Gast, the owner of the Fast by Gast team
win, but the front end of Owens races for, indicated he was more
his bike came up in the air than ready to roll with Owens in 2011.
right at the finish line. “If he wants to continue next year,
Owens lunged forward you better believe I’m behind him all
to try to bring the bike the way,” Gast said. “He’s absolutely the
down, but it was too late most talented rider I’ve ever seen.
to keep the bike from col- This guy is the best there is in my opin-
liding with Thompson. ion.”
“I tried to look for him, That was backed up all year during
but I couldn’t see him Owens’ magnificent season, including a
and the bike just went stretch where he won an ADRL-record
out from under me,” Ow- five straight races. Owens had also
ens said. “When I tried to planned to race overseas in the Arabian
By Josh Hachat get my helmet off, I really Drag Racing League for the first time in
thought both arms were broken for a his career, but those plans are obviously
I
f Ashley Owens can rehabili- in a dreadful collision, and both riders minute.” put on hold. The bike was demolished in
tate like he can race, the Pro Ex- left the track with multiple bruises. Only the left arm suffered any broken the crash and Owens and Gast will soon
treme Motorcycle standout should Owens, who won a PXM-record eight bones, but luckily both Thompson and find out what - if anything - can be saved
be back to top form in no time. ADRL races in 2010, also broke both Owens avoided further injury in a crash on it.
As it is right now, those close to him bones in his left forearm and had a plate that could have easily caused even more Still, Owens said a potential racing
and those who are fans of the American and screws inserted during a surgical damage to both riders. Owens said it visit to Qatar in early 2011 might be pos-
Drag Racing League (ADRL) standouts procedure at Huntsville Hospital on was his first significant crash since 2002 sible should he heal in time.
are simply glad he is on the road to re- Sunday. and the lessons he learned from that “I haven’t ruled out anything yet,” Ow-
covery after a horrific crash at Hunts- “I’m in a pretty good bit of pain right should help this rehabilitation process. ens said. “I was really looking forward to
ville Dragway in Huntsville, Alabama now. The first couple of days are always Owens also predicted he would be ready going over there and I still might make
in late October. After something broke rough,” Owens said. “Next week it will for the start of the 2011 ADRL season. it over there. I appreciate all the calls
on the bike near the finish line during a get better. Everything is just sore right “I’ve had broken bones before, but from everyone. That’s been great and it
race against Mantez Thompson, Owens’ now. the last time I was in a bigger hurry to means a lot to me. There have been a lot
bike darted hard into Thompson’s lane. There’s a lot of bruises and stuff like get back. I’m not going to do that this of people asking if I need anything and
Thompson T-boned Owens’ motorcycle that. I’m just sitting around and taking time,” Owens said. “Now, I’ll just see that’s just a good feeling.”
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ENGINE BUILDERS TALKED.

WE LISTENED.
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Hoyle Snags Three-Second Timeslip

By Ian Tocher
D
arrin Hoyle knew he had
one last chance in 2010 and de-
cided to go for it.
“I’d run four-flat last year; I’d run
four-flat this year, and I just couldn’t be-
lieve how hard it was to get that three-
second run,” he admitted. “Whenever I
go to a race I go to win, but this time I
knew it was my last chance, so I decided
I’d just go and have fun and see if we
could get it done.”
The Taylorsville, North Carolina-
based car dealer scored on both counts
Nov. 5-7, at Carolina Dragway, qualifying
his nitrous-boosted ’68 Camaro third in
a 24-car Automatic Pro Mod field with a
3.96-seconds effort at 183.19 mph, then
went on to win the final in 3.97 seconds
at a career-best 183.22 mph.
Qualifying for the eighth-mile event
began on Friday with two more rounds
of qualifying followed by eliminations
on Saturday, however crisp autumn air
and low track temperatures convinced
organizers to postpone much of the rac-
ing to Sunday afternoon.
“I think with our small motor—we 182.28 mph against Steve Drummond
still run the same Fulton 762 I’ve had of Laurel, Delaware, who posted a 4.07
for the last five years—we didn’t have at 184.35 mph in his turbocharged, late-
enough horsepower to overpower the model Mustang. Then came the deci-
track like some of these other guys were sion to postpone the completion of the
doing in these conditions,” Hoyle said. “I event to the next day.
keep thinking we need to upgrade and “It was still pretty cold on Sunday and
buy a new motor, but then I think about I was a little worried about that,” Hoyle
how good this one still is. It’s a little out- recalled after making a pair of tire-shak-
dated, but it’s been good to us this year.” ing passes of 4.34 and 4.31 seconds to
Hoyle caught a break in the open- get past Kenny Kneece and Bubba Liv-
ing round of competition when his car ingston, respectively. “So I did get a little
initially refused to start, but Tommy lucky, but luck’s always good. And when mained practically welded together to equipped Bickel-built Camaro with only
Mauney, driving Danny Blankenship’s it really counted it went right on down the 330-foot halfway point. Shortly af- his wife, Emily, as a crew member.
bright red ’41 Willys, agreed to wait. there, so I feel good about that.” ter, however, Jordan suffered tire shake “I just kept applying power where I
Hoyle quickly got things sorted out and Waiting on Hoyle in the final was severe enough to pop a parachute free thought it needed it and took it away
completed his burnout, only to find the Lugoff, South Carolina-based ’68 and he labored through in 4.23 sec- where it didn’t; I couldn’t leave real hard
out Mauney’s ride also wouldn’t start. Camaro of 22nd qualifier Troy Jordan, onds at just over 121 mph while Hoyle because the air was so good and I was
So Hoyle shut down and waited for who previously defeated Ric Fleck, De- streaked ahead to win. afraid of overpowering the track. The
Mauney until it became clear the famed Wayne Silance and David Partridge be- “We were dead even at half track and track was really good, though, they do a
chassis builder was out, and Hoyle made fore making a 4.91-seconds, semi-final all of a sudden I started to pull away and great job with it.
a traction-challenged 4.23 solo pass at bye run based on the 24-car ladder. that was the last time I saw him,” Hoyle “It felt great to finally get that three
134.50 mph. The two Camaros left the line within said later. [second pass] here and it made it one of
He stepped up again in round two, a thousandth of a second of each other “That took some work,” added Hoyle, the more exciting races I’ve ever won.”
however, going a career-best 3.95 at (Hoyle .038; Jordan .039) and re- who races his 762ci Fulton Competition
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Q
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one will be hard to top.
&A
One of our standard questions, if
you could race any car at any track,
against any opponent, who, what,
where and why?
I hate to be vague, but it’d have to be
in a Pro Mod car against any other top
driver in the country, and anywhere, but
especially at the ADRL races where the
fastest door cars in the world are.
You’ve accomplished a lot, and as
we’ve discussed, won probably more
money racing than most, but do you
feel you’ve done all you want to do?
The hired gun wheelman on grudge I don’t think so. I feel very blessed to
racing, track promotion, and family have been able to do what I have, but
I don’t think I’ve necessarily reached
by Denise Ramsey
my peak yet. I feel like I’m still working
B
efore Mike Hill was making towards that. Simply being able to race,
his name in the Outlaw Racing comfortably, at a professional level in the
Street Car Association’s 10.5-tire ADRL or NHRA, with the right back and
Mike Hill
category, the nation’s premiere organiza- the right people, that would be enough of
tion for lawless street racing, and long an accomplishment in itself to satisfy me.
before he’d helped launch the ADRL’s up- I could say win this race, or that race, or
start Extreme 10.5 division as a touring world championships, but I just want to
pro on the circuit, the “Hitman” was hurt- ally. That is where I have the most experi- forty-thousand people. And when you do race and have the opportunity.
ing feelings, as well as pocketbooks, as a ence with, and honestly, I am partial win, it’s like winning the World Series at What do you do when you aren’t at
street racer in Atlanta, Georgia. “It was to these big inch nitrous motors, but every race. It’s truly unbelievable what the track?
just getting out of hand,” says Hill, now that doesn’t mean I’m not open to other they have put together, so believe me I’m absolutely determined to make
41. “It was illegal, first and foremost, but things. I’d make a lap in one of these when I say that I’m working to on mak- drag racing more than a hobby for me; to
it was also dangerous, so it’s something I blower cars anytime, anywhere. [Laughs] ing my return to the ADRL. Now, as far turn racing into my business. I owned an
knew I had to get away from. That’s when Of all the cars you’ve driven, have as grudge racing, it’s a different breed of auto transport business, but I had to let
I started heading out to some of the local you ever had a favorite? people that attend these races and I do it go during the bad economic times, and
drag strips looking for action.” It wasn’t That’s a tough question because I’ve love it. The smack talking and the side that is when I made up my mind to try
long before car owners on the grudge rac- owned several and driven many more, bets make grudge racing exciting, but and make a living doing what I love the
ing scene took notice of his abilities be- but if I had to pick just one, I’d have to it’s not fore everyone. Some people can’t most, and that’d have to be drag racing.
hind the wheel and he quickly developed say the Top Alcohol Funny Car at Frank handle the pressure of another person So, now I’m working on different events
a reputation as a dependable, consistent Hawley’s Drag Racing School. It was standing in your face talking $5,000 every month and have had some pretty
winner. Over the course of the next few always my dream to drive and race a Top worth of trash to you. I love it, and I use awesome races. I’m also at the track two
years, Hill would go on to field his own Fuel Funny Car, so that was a big step a lot of grudge racing tactics when racing or three times a week tuning on cars for
car, lock up the 2006 ORSCA Outlaw towards that. Other than a Funny Car, in a sanctioned event. I like to use what a lot of grudge racers and some class rac-
10.5 championship, as well as win the it would absolutely have to be Pro Mod I’ve learned over in the grudge racing ers. I have a lot of guys that I am working
richest 10.5 race in history, the $50,000 cars. world, and I’ve actually added open with and a lot of cars that I’m working, as
Outlaw Nationals at Huntsville Dragway You’ve had success in several of the grudge racing to a lot of the events that I well as the events I promote, so that takes
that same year. But most recently, Hill well known doorslammer circuits such promote. Just to add that extra excite- up my week days. I’m getting ready to
has returned to his grudge racing roots as the ADRL and ORSCA, but also ment to them. For me, posting what I head back to Qatar right now to race and
in a slew of various Pro Mod-style cars in the grudge racing world. Can you can run in a lot of classes has hurt me tune cars, thanks to Al-Anabi Racing and
throughout the East Coast. Hill checked explain some of the differences between because guys will assume that I’m too fast Speedtech Nitrous, so that will keep me
in from New York’s JFK Airport prior competing in an organized series and for them. At the end of the day, it’s a lot of busy all winter.
to boarding his non-stop flight to Doha, the grudge scene? fun and I enjoy every bit of it. Does it start and end with drag rac-
Qatar for the start of the Arabian Drag Well, there is a really big difference. Considering all the big money ing for you?
Racing League series. Racing in ORSCA was really cool, and it’s grudge races, your time in ORSCA and It’s definitely my passion, but I’m
We’ve seen you behind the wheel of a nice family environment to race in, but ADRL, is there a single moment that equally passionate about my family and
nitrous-assisted 10.5 and Pro Mod cars I have to say racing in the ADRL, well, stands out in your racing career? God. I’m a Christian and a family man, so
almost exclusively, is that particular there’s nothing like it. It’s hard to explain Yes, definitely, and it was in Hunts- when I’m not at the track, I’m spending
engine combination your preference? the motivation and determination that ville, Alabama at the largest Outlaw 10.5 time with my family.
I’ve always been a nitrous guy, person- comes from racing in front of thirty or race ever, where I won 50-grand. That
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CAUGHT! worldmags
FLY
WHEN HOOD SCOOPS ‘68 Camaro hurtled off
As Bob Rahaim’s Pro Nitrous
for the ADRL World
the starting pad during qualifying
fire sent the hood
Finals VII, a massive nitrous back
scoop skyward.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK J. REBILAS

October 22nd, 2010
Texas Motorplex
Ennis, Texas
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POWERGLIDE PRO
➤
MOD PACKAGE
XP4 Features:
• Larger Pro Mod 1 1/4’ Input Shaft
• Pro Mod Wider Band
• 1.69 Billet Gear Set (1.80 Available)
• Superglide Case
• Billet Output Shaft / 400 Spline
• Withstands over 3,000 HP
• Available in Long, Medium and Short
• Custom Colors Available
➤
GM107 Features:
•• 11 1/4
1/4 Heavy
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•• CNC Billet Front Cover
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“Whoever is getting my seat was someone who tried to get me out of my seat, they weren’t approached by someone. There’s a big difference.” -- CORY McCLENATHAN
MOVERS & SHAKERS
EVERYBODY HURTS
Despite crashing his ’05 Pontiac Grand Am at
the end of winning effort in the quarterfinals of
Super Pro Street competition at the fabled World
Street Nationals, Tony Christian, who qualified
No. 1 for the event, makes his way back to the
starting line to watch the remainder of elimina-
tions – visibly disappointed.
CHAMPION-ELECT
Billy Harper, the 2008 ADRL Pro Nitrous
world champion, returned to action behind
the wheel of his familiar Dodge Viper Pro
Mod during the NHRA national meet in
Charlotte, competing in the Get Screened
America NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
It was fantastic to see Harper, who took
some time off from professional competition
during a down economy, back in action –
even just for the weekend.
Throttle Tuned
2010 NMCA Pro Street world champion, Chris Rini,
adjusts the carburetor linkage on the big inch nitrous-
assisted powerplant between under the hood of his
late model Dodge Stratus at the series’ flagship event,
previously held at Memphis Motorsports Park, but now
relocated to Gateway International Raceway.
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FAMILY OWNED • AMERICAN MADE

® FALL SALE
SALE PRICING GOOD FROM OCTOBER 18, 2010 TO JANUARY 14, 2011
$99 TRANS SHIPPING CONVERTER FRESHEN-UP DISCOUNT! EXTRA 5% OFF CONVERTERS!

We will ship any trans offered in this
FR E E E Send your ATI converter back to ATI by 12/17/10 and Buy any transmission at our sale price &
CRAT
ad within the continental US for just get it overhauled for $159! Overhaul includes new get 5% off the recommended converter for
$99 - including the crate! (No lift gate!) e bearings, springs, rollers, welding & balancing! your application, even if it’s already on sale!
valu
$7 0
H I G H I M PA C T SAVE $50
® ® SAVE Streetmaster ®- 10”
Rated to 2000 HP $
600
#201450
PG/T350/400 $516 $469
1.66 or 1.80 Vasco Gears, Rated to 1800 HP Ford C4/C6 $516 $469
For high horsepower
HD 4340 Carrier, 4340 SALE TF 727/904 $622 $569
Output Shaft with applications! 1.80 9310 700R4 / 4L60E* $624 $569
Straight Cut Gear Set,
$3695
warranty, ATI SuperCase #201435 *With Lock Up
w/ Roller Tailhousing, Precision balanced
30 Spline Turbo Clutch carrier and 4340 SAVE $100
Treemaster MRT Converters®- 8”& 9”
Hub, Input Sun Gear & 1”
Ringless Input Shaft, High Flow SAVE output, SuperCase with
tailhousing, Compu-Flow
216
-3.5” Stroke Reg
Sale +3.5” Stroke Reg
Sale
Ringless PG Pump, Compu-Flow $ Transbrake, Vasco Ringless
Input Shaft, 10 Clutch High
$759
PG/T350/400 $860 PG/T350/400 $799
$899
Transbrake, 10 Clutch Billet Drum, Kevlar Ford C4/C6 $889
$992 Ford C4/C6 $949
$1051
99
Gear Drum, Kevlar Band, Billet
Band, Billet Dual Ring Servo and Billet Servo SALE $4779
Cover, Deep Cast Aluminum Pan, HD Gaskets Clutch Hub, Twin Seal Servo, High Flow Pump, $ TF 727/904 $929
$1033 TF 727/904 $979
$1085
& Seals. Shown with optional Super Pump and Ford Bell. Deep Aluminum Pan, Heavy Duty Gaskets & Seals.
SHIPPING
Treemaster ®- 8” Treemaster ®- 10”
5 year warranty available with yearly overhaul. 5 year warranty available with yearly overhaul. On all Fall Sale
PG $783 $699 PG/T350/400 $669 $619
Transmissions T350/400 $739 $699 Ford C4/C6 $692 $639
® in the US!*
SAVE
® Ford C4 $849 $799 TF 727/904 $725 $669
Ford C-6 $810 $759 700R4 / 4L60E* $699 $649
215
SUPER SET *Lower 48
STRAIGHT CUT $ Rated to 1000 HP States only TF 727/904 $891 $839 *Non Lock-up
Rated to 1500 HP 1.76 9310 Helical SAVE $100 SAVE $100

Includes everything in a SALE $2195 Super Set Gears, Fuel & Blown - 8”& 9” Fuel & Blown - 10”
ProGlide Super Set Trans Precision Balanced PG/T350/400 $999 $899 PG/T350/400 $1189 $1089
Carrier, Compu- Ford C4/C6 $1118 $999 Ford C4/C6 $1118 $999
SAVE
plus: 9310 Straight Cut
Gear Set (with warranty), Flow Trans brake, HD TF 727/904 $1195 $1095 TF 727/904 $1195 $1095
380
Hardened Input Shaft
Precision Balanced Carrier
with Heavy Duty 4340 Output (PG or Turbo Spline), OEM $ SAVE $200
Shaft, 7 Clutch Drum. Your choice Output Shaft, High Capacity Outlaw Converters ®
of 1.74, 1.80, or 1.87 Gear ratios. Clutch Pack, High Flow PG Pump, SALE $1695 Includes 5-Year Warranty
Vasco input available for $250. 1.74 Ratio #200620 $2195 Kevlar Band, Deep Aluminum Pan, 7 Clutch Drum, #200610 Fits PG, Turbo, Lenco, Bruno &
5 year warranty available 1.80 Ratio #200640 $2195 Heavy Duty Gaskets & Seals, Multi-Lever, Hard Chrome Oil Donovan drives.
with yearly overhaul. 1.87 Ratio #200660 $2195 Rings. 5 year warranty available with yearly overhaul. 10” Converter $1575 $1375
10.5” Converter $2095 $1845
Check out our Powerglide Upgrade list and customize your transmission at reduced sale prices!
COMBO DEAL COMBO DEAL COMBO
1.76 Footbrake PG and 8” Treemaster ® TH350 with heavy duty sprag TH400 and 8”
Rated up to 750 HP FROM & drum with 8” Treemaster ® Treemaster ®
1.76 OEM Gears, Compu
Flow Manual Valve Body
$
1795 Forward or Reverse
Pattern Compu-Flow
Forward or Reverse
Pattern Compu-Flow
Forward Pattern, 6 Clutch Valve Body, Automatic or Valve Body, Automatic or
Drum, Billet Steel Clutch Manual, High Flow Front Manual, Heavy Duty 34
Hub, High Flow PG Pump, HD Pump, 36 Element HD Element Sprag, Bearing FROM
Input Shaft, Hard Chrome Oil
Rings, Aluminum Deep Pan, High
Sprag & Drum, Bearing
Output Shaft. Upgrade FROM
Output Shaft, High Flow $
Front Pump, High Lube 1699
to a reverse pattern $
2159
Performance Gaskets & Seals. Direct Drum. Upgrade to a
Upgrade to a transbrake and transbrake and MRT reverse pattern transbrake and MRT
MRT Converter for $300. Converter for $136. ($165 core fee) Converter for $350. ($200 core fee)
Save $275 on a new ATI

Powerglide upgrades! Choose from the following installed options. Pricing is good only on
installed items. All options may not be available for every transmission. $
SAVE
275 SuperCase when you trade in
your ‘Dead’enbear Case!
SuperCase for Chevrolet 200011 $784 Ringless Super Shaft & Pump Assy 207148 & 205052 $306
ATI Tailhousing 200031 $120 Twin Seal Servo and Cover 205322 & 205325 $59 Send your Dedenbear case to ATI and
you’ll receive $275 toward the purchase
SuperCase* - SB Ford (157 or 164 T) $1145 Shorty Extension Housing 200039 & 200040 $135
of a NEW ATI SuperCase. If you live east
SuperCase* - Ford 460 $1195 Spherical Tailhousing 207850 $342 of the Mississippi, you’ll save money on
SuperCase* - Ford Mod Motor $1395 ATI Super Band 205291 $155 shipping and re-certification fees, plus
ATI SuperCase* - SB / BB Mopar $1145 TH400 HD Output & Housing for SG I & II 207843 $480 a minimum of 3 weeks downtime! Get a new case and return your
Vasco Input 207146 $280 Transmission Catch Can 206611 $109 Dedenbear within 30 days for the credit. $275 off Racer Net price.
Super Pump 205032 $259
10 Clutch Drum 205645 $399 SCS-30 Transmission Cooler SuperCase Recertification Special!
Reverse Safety Valve Body 203050 $140 Free installation when purchased with
FREE
SuperCase. Tranny Builder package Re-certify your ATI
Ford & Mopar SuperCase Bells* available, includes SCS-30, SuperCase, SuperCase for FREE
Run a PG behind your Ford or Mopar engine!
$
320 Chevy Bell, and OEM extension housing. when your complete
SB Ford -157 or 164 tooth* $425 $320 Dragster Package* available as shown: transmission is sent to ATI for a freshen
SCS-30 Installed option #925000 $695 up. Certification must expire during the
Ford 460* $525 $370
year you send in your transmission for
Ford Mod Motor* $575 $570 Tranny Builder Package #200009 $1,589 an overhaul and bellhousing must be
SB / BB Mopar* $475 $320 Dragster Package (shown)* $1,988 included with the trans. Freshen-ups for
* Includes SFI flexplate, crank adapter and hardware *Includes SCS-30, SuperCase, bell, cooler & fan, mount, handlesPatent Pending
and hoses ATI built units start at $395.
Sale pricing good through January 14, 2011. Full payment must be received by January 28, 2011. 6747 Whitestone Rd • Gwynn Oak, MD 21207
Toll Free (877)298-5041• www.atiracing.com

© 2010 ATI Performance Products, Inc. Super Damper®, Superglide®, Pro Glide®, SCS-30®, Treemaster®, Streetmaster® and Outlaw Converter® are all registered trademarks of ATI.
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

BECKMAN, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN
“Fast” Jack Beckman peruses the staging
lanes prior to strapping into the Valvoline
Dodge Charger Nitro Funny Car.
Best of the Best

Prior to claiming his 62nd win in Competition Eliminator, David Rampy, one of
the most prolific sportsman racers in the history of drag racing, takes in a few runs
on the starting line of The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
DRAG RACING’S MYTHICAL CREATURE RACE WEIGHT

Though he oftentimes flies under the radar, legend- Despite wearing massive targets on their backs, the
ary chassis builder Don Ness was a fixture at the Outlaw 10.5 powerhouse of driver Tim Lynch and tun-
drag races in 2010, especially the ADRL. Perhaps er Steve Petty, make between round maintenance on
the rule-free nature of the organization plays into his the twin-turbocharged 670ci Pro Line Racing engine
favor as a longtime innovator in the sport. in their 2010 Corvette Z06 look easy.
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“In The Race For Quality, There is No Finish Line”   
 
Powermaster
XS AGM
16 Volt Battery 16 Volt Battery and
33 lbs Charger Combo
Turbo Start
NOS Overhead $249.00 AGM Series 16
Pro Wrap Around Control Panel Volt Battery
Carbon Fiber Seat Fused JBRC5510N
This style seat is designed $239.00
Nonfused JBRC5511N XS
to be used with our Pro chas-
$219.00 Intelli
sis. The dragster style design
Charger 25 amp
offers maximum safety because $199.00 AGM
the driver is virtually harnessed Charger
directly to the chassis. Carbon 41 lbs
Fiber construction makes this seat Both for $399.00
ultra light yet strong. This wrap The National Hot Rod
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Optional mounting kit Part # dated the
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SFI 38.1 specification in several
able. (Call for accessories prices).
classed. HANS Performance
JBRC now offers an ISP Pour and Place Products provide the greatest
JBRC3030 - $500.00 Carbon/Carbon
Insert made from NON-Flammable safety and comfort possible.
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$930.00
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support, contains dri- in the seat.
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Installation Kit JBRC3029 - $600.00 Injection Molded Carbon Fiber
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JBRC1076 Let us install it for you! JBRC3029A -$1,250.00
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

DIFFERENT ROLES
FOR DIFFERENT DAYS
2008 NMCA Pro Street
champion Mark Micke,
perhaps best known for his
time served behind wheel,
has been of huge help to the
Sullivan Racing team who
made their Pro Street debut
in 2010. Driven by John
Sullivan and tuned by Micke,
their Garrett Race Cars-built
Dodge Stratus, previously
of Jason Scruggs’ fame, has
shown pole-setting potential
with its 521ci BAE HEMI
equipped with a ProCharger
F-3R-139 supercharger.
CALLING THE SHOTS SPONGE BOB SKINNY TIRES

Outspoken owner of Or- Probably one of the best known racers in
lando Speed World Dragway, the National Muscle Car Association, Bob
Carl Weisinger, was all Curran, dissects the data compiled after
smiles at his annual World a run in his two-time Xtreme Street ’96
Street Nationals over the Corvette at the NMCA World Street Finals
Halloween weekend. in St. Louis, Missouri.
TEST DRIVE?
Perennial Nitro Funny Car frontrunner, Tim Wilk-
erson, takes a moment to see how the driver’s MELTIN’ METAL
seat of Mike Edwards championship-winning Renowned former crew chief for Greg Ander-
Pontiac GXP Pro Stocker feels in the staging son’s championship-winning NHRA Pro Stock
lanes at the U.S. Nationals. Pontiac GXP, Jeff Perley strikes up an arc in
the pits of Gateway International Raceway be-
tween rounds of competition on close friend,
Jim Robbins’ Outlaw 10.5 Camaro.
GOOD AMBASSADOR
Jeff Arend, who wheels the
Kallita Motorsports Nitro Funny
Car sponsored by DHL, poses
for a photo with a pair of young,
eager fans at the NHRA Las
Vegas Nationals on Halloween.
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Drag Week. He is the first to ever eclipse 200 mph, the first in the 6’s and the only to repeat 3 times. And... he did it all
on the same Aeromotive Fuel Pump. That’s the type of DURABILITY and PERFORMANCE you can expect from Aeromotive.
Find out more about Larry’s story and watch the videos by visiting us online.
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All Aeromotive products are proudly designed, manufactured, built and tested right here in the USA.
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Crate Engine GASKET SETS ULTRA CARBURETORS MINI SPOOLS S-BLADE UNIVERSAL RACE CARBS
632”, 800HP DUAL ELECTRIC FANS
World Products
Merlin III cast iron All aluminum
block & aluminum Replace internal differential
construction components with this mini- Puller design with glass-
heads, Eagle 4340 with 6061 T6 spool to lock the axles together for an even dis- reinforced nylon 12-1/8” Made in the USA.
forged crank & connect- billet aluminum tribution of power to both rear wheels. C-clip S-blades. 3000 cfm air- Mechanical
ing rods, Mahle forged metering blocks & eliminators are recommended. flow at 17.5 to 29 amp Secondary
pistons and rings, hydraulic roller base plates. Include 836-78-0928-1 .9” 28-Spline ..............$39.99 draw from a low-profile system. Unit with ther- 778-67199 .....650 cfm Carb ........... $539.99
camshaft, Comp Cams pushrods & ratio rockers, Engine Overhaul Kit 4-corner idle circuits, 836-78-0931-1 .9” 31-Spline ..............$39.99 mostat includes AC relay & Variable Speed Control 778-67200 .....750 cfm Carb ........... $539.99
oil pan, oil pump. 2Yr/24k mile warranty. Includes most every gasket for your engine. glass sight plugs, Ford 836-78-1028-1 .GM 8.5”, 28-Spline....$92.99 (monitors coolant temp & adjusts fan speed to 778-67201 .....850 cfm Carb ........... $599.99
138-PS6320CT .... Base Engine .....$9999.99 auto kickdown linkage, 836-78-1230-1 .12 Bolt, 30-Spline .....$92.99 meet cooling demand). 15.5” x 26.25” x 4”. 778-67202 .....950 cfm Carb ........... $639.99
Call for applications ........ from.$34.99 four vacuum ports, electric choke, built-in fuel Vacuum Secondary
Dress engine: 1050cfm carb, ATI balancer, MSD 836-78-4430-1 .Dana 44, 30-Spline....$99.99 400-490 ...Dual Fan ................ $374.99 778-67204 .....650 cfm Carb ........... $549.99
filters. Vacuum secondary carbs include fuel line. 836-78-7526-1 .GM 7.5”, 26-Spline....$92.99
distributor, intake, NGK spark plugs, plug wires. ALUMINUM TRANS SHIELDS 400-480 ...Dual Fan w/Therm. $449.99 778-67205 .....750 cfm Carb ........... $549.99
138-PS6320CTC.. Dress Engine ..$12499.99 Street Avenger - Vacuum Secondary 836-78-8228-1 .GM 8.2”, 28-Spline....$92.99
510-0-86670xx....670cfm; 836-78-8828-1 Ford 8.8”, 28-Spline $92.99
Made from 6061-T6 alumi- Black, Blue or Red ..........$499.99 836-78-8831-1 .Ford 8.8”, 31-Spl. $92.99 LIGHTNING BATTERY BB-CHEVY ALUMINUM
ENGINE BREAK-IN num alloy. All 510-0-86770xx....770cfm; CABLES & TERMINALS CYLINDER HEADS
ADDITIVE shields come Black, Blue or Red ..........$499.99 FUEL PUMP
complete with Ultra Double Pumper - Mech. Secondary
mounting 510-0-76650xx....650cfm;
Seats piston rings properly & adds protec- hardware for easy Black, Blue or Red ..........$499.99
tion while breaking in engine. Works with installation. SFI Approved. Over 800
510-0-76750xx....750cfm; lbs-per-hr
petroleum, synthetic, or blended motor 512-HP9700........ P/G, Black ...............$129.99 Black, Blue or Red ..........$499.99 at 45 psi Same amount of
oil. Full bottle for 7-12qt. 512-HP9700P ..... P/G, Polished..........$164.99 using 13.5 volts will support a naturally-aspirat- energy & power at
512-HP9740........ C4, Black.................$165.99
816-81403......16oz Additive ... $12.99 512-HP9750........ TH350, Black..........$161.99 5-GALLON UTILITY JUGS ed 1600 HP or forced induction 1100 HP engine. half of the weight. Easy
512-HP9800........ TH400, Black..........$164.99 Vented and DOT 3.4 027-11101 ..-12AN in, -10AN out. $319.99 to use compression fittings & 350-60459 ... Perf RPM Oval ............ea.$959.99
DRAG CHUTES UN-approved. Made in USA. terminals simply twist & screw on. 350-604519. Perf RPM, Polished .ea.$1003.99
10’ cross form design MLS HEAD GASKETS NOTE: Putting fuel or kero- ROLL CONTROL 1/0 Ga 20’ Spool
110-1846 ...........Red....................... $149.99
350-60479 ... Perf 454-O Oval .........ea.$939.99
350-60499 ... Perf HiComp Oval......ea.$929.99
chutes deliver enough Stainless steel sene in these containers in
California is not permitted &
KIT 110-1847 ...........Black .................... $149.99
stopping power for material main-
most drag cars that reach up tains shape.
violates California law. Reduces the 2 Ga 20’ Spool 9” CARRIER STUD KIT
Round or Square Dual chance of 110-1848 ...........Red....................... $131.99
to 200 mph. Compensates for ‘’Rolling the 110-1849 ...........Black .................... $131.99
Handle Jug
856-42020R ...Red ..................$329.99 thermal expansion. White, Red, Blue or Yellow ...............$19.99 Lights’’ and 4 Ga 20’ Spool
856-42020BK .Black ...............$329.99 Strategically-placed embossed beads produces more effec- 110-1850 ...........Red....................... $121.99
856-42020BL..Blue .................$329.99 eliminate leaks. Sold each. tive burn outs for heating up the tires. 110-1851 ...........Black .................... $121.99
856-42085......Pilot Chute SB-Chevy
PRO HIGH BACK II SEAT W/ 530-174-5000.....Roll Control Kit $111.99
Only ..................$89.99 375-1142 ...........4.000” to 4.100” ..........$75.99 COVERS Feature 100’ Spools
110-1844 ...........2 Ga, Red ............. $371.99
375-1143 ...........4.101” to 4.166” ..........$72.99
303-30021......13’ Cable
BB-Chevy
op enings
for safety harnesses with PRO STICK SHIFTER 110-1845 ...........4 Ga, Red ............. $332.99 Reliable when assembling your rear end.
w/Handle ..........$52.99 375-1071 ...........4.250” to 4.380” ..........$79.99 individual shoulder strap Rugged chrome moly bolts & studs. Made of
375-1075 ...........4.381” to 4.580” ..........$79.99
The Air Boss systems are
SB-Ford
mounts. Molded from FUEL INJECTION 8740 alloy, heat-treated to a tensile strength
smaller and lighter and yet
produce more stopping 375-1133 ...........4.000” to 4.100” ..........$72.99 high-density poly-
ethylene with
PERFORMANCE KITS rating of 200,000 psi. Black oxide finished.
375-1134 ...........4.101” to 4.175” ..........$71.99 070-250-3005 ....9” Ford Stud Kit ..... $22.99
power. Canopy’s are yellow a double-
walled shell. Separate reverse lockout
and feature the Jegs logo on the outside.
MAX ENERGY POWER 20” wide x 32” tall. lever and works with forward 130-80706 7AL-3 Pro Drag Race Ignition
856-42030KJ .....Air Boss ........$499.99 PROGRAMMER Includes provision for 550-40485 or 550- or reverse valve bodies. Includes neu-
Greatly Improves 40487 seat back braces. Vinyl Covers sold tral safety switch and 5’ Super Duty Race Cable.
DIGITAL PRO SHIFT SYSTEM Fuel Economy separately. Seats made in USA. Front exit cable. Improve throttle
Features top speed 555-70250 ......Black Seat Only ........ $39.99 130-80706. Ball Knob w/ Cvr .. $181.99 response & drivability.
& engine RPM limiters, Also available in Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange, 130-81040. Magnum Grip w/Cvr$226.99 Includes filter-mounting hardware & accessory
Plays back a recorded run adjustable transmission shift points & firmness, Purple & Grey .................................... $44.99 hookups. Retains emissions-related equipment! Delivers 20% more pri-
Note: $8.99 oversize charge applies
on the digital display and speedo/odometer correction, and much more.
Internet update capability. USB cable included. Padded Vinyl Seat Covers
COMP 5 SFI DRAG WHEEL Call for applications .............from.$309.99 mary voltage and 35% more spark
outputs to an Auto Meter tach. energy. Features a built-in 3-Step Module
Tube Style 2-1/16” Call for application ...............from.$379.99 Available in Black/Black, Red/Black, MAGNUM DRAG Selector with Soft Touch Rev Control, built-in
105-5343 ...Black, Level 1, Amber...$132.99 Blue/Black, Yellow/Black, Orange/ timing retard modules and a 10 amp, rpm
Black, Purple/Black, Grey/Black.$31.99 activated switch.
105-5344 .Silver, Level 1, Amber $132.99 HIGH OUTPUT ELECTRIC FANS 121-7230 .......7AL-3 Ignition .. $561.99
105-5348 .Blk, Level 2, Multi-Clr .$176.99
105-5349 .Slvr, Level 2, Multi-Clr $176.99 ULTRA GOLD ALUMINUM
105-5350 .Blk, Level 3, Multi-Clr .$220.99 Fans use patented skewed ROLLER ROCKERS Front ALUMINUM QFX
105-5351 .Slvr, Level 3, Multi-Clr $220.99 blades, and include universal
nylon mounting systems. The 1-Pc CARBS
12”, 14” and 17” HO fans can Wheels
PERFORMANCE be used as pusher or puller Rotary forged and machined 6061-T6
CLUTCH KITS fans without flipping blades. High Performance Street &
Race Engines
aluminum. Superior lateral and radial run 786 Series Version 2.0 Engine tested & hand
Made in USA. out. Spindle mount includes bearings, seals SFI spec 15.1. Sizes 15 x 3-1/2 to 17 x 2-1/8. 1-pc assembled.
CNC-machined, lightweight design yields and screw-on center cap and allows for direct
Part # Dia CFM unrivaled quality & ratio accuracy. Withstands forged center. Anodized gold or polished. 793-FX-4710....1050cfm, Gas.........$1006.99
mounting of brake rotor. Bolt-on style for use
Kits include: pres- 259-16510 ......... 10” ........650 ...........$75.99 aggressive spring pressure & valve lift. with mag shank lug nuts and have 4.5 and Call for applications .............from.$431.99 793-FX-4710-A 1050cfm, Alcohol ..$1151.99
sure plate, clutch
259-16918 ......... 12” ........1650 .......$106.99 Chevy 265-400 793-FX-4711....1150cfm, Gas.........$1085.99
4.75 bolt patterns. SFI 15.2 certified. Sold each.
disc, throwout
259-18212 ......... 12” ........1450 .......$106.99
259-18214 ......... 14” ........2100 .......$124.99 249-19001-16 ..3/8” x 1.5 rr............ $269.99 15x3.5” 1-Piece Spindle Mount 12 Circuit Wiring Harness 793-FX-4712....1250cfm, Gas..$1151.99
bearing, clutch 259-18217 ......... 17” ........2400 .......$126.99 249-19002-16 ..3/8” x 1.6 rr............ $239.99 Black Anodized Finish
pilot alignment tool, and pressure plate bolt kit. 249-19004-16 ..7/16” x 1.5 rr.......... $239.99
Call for applications ..............from$482.99 RADIATOR MODULES
Call for applications...............from.$259.99 249-19005-16 ..7/16” x 1.6 rr.......... $239.99
RACING VACUUM Chevy 396-454
OUTLAW SHIFTER PUMPS 249-19021-16 ...7/16” x 1.7 rr ......... $273.99 THROTTLE BRACKETS
Ford 289-351W CNC- Includes a natural
249-19043-16 ...3/8” x 1.6 rr ........... $239.99 machined finish radiator
Billet aluminum housing 249-19044-16 ..7/16” x 1.6 rr.......... $254.99
with special vane material for aluminum. with cap, single 16’’
Anodized black with electric puller fan,
Fits GM’s Powerglide improved seal & wear. Enhanced
& other popular GM, Design pulls up to 14% more vacuum sooner ELECTRIC SOLENOID SHIFTER return springs. Fits Holley
4150/4160, Edelbrock AFB & aluminum fan brackets & wiring
Ford, Chrysler 3 & 4-speed & it’s 12oz lighter, 1” shorter than original pump. KIT Barry Grant carburetors harness with temperature sending unit & 40
trans. Compliant with NHRA 710-22640... 3-Vane Pump, Wet For Hurst Quarter Stick & Quarter 555-15230. GM Cable ................ $69.99 AMP waterproof relay & vented recovery tank.
reverse lockout regulations. Stick II with rear exit cable and 8-rocker switch control panel plugs directly into
Sump System ...........$409.99 555-15231 ...... Ford Cable ...........$69.99 12-circuit harness. Standard Transmission
Includes shift cable & hardware. 710-22641... 4-Vane Pump, B&M Pro Stick with Powerglide
Dry Sump System ....$444.99 transmission. 555-15232 ......Lokar Cable ........$69.99 764-50002....12-Circuit Pro Street Call for application ......... from$699.99
890-611523..w/o Cover, GM PG ......$176.99 555-15233 ......Morse Cable .......$69.99 Wiring Harness .......$375.99
890-616531..w/o Cover, 3-spd, Fwd .$195.99 710-22642... 4-Vane Enhanced Design, 764-50003....12-Circuit Drag Race Automatic Transmission
890-618008..Micro-Switch Grip ........$57.99 Dry Sump System ....$575.99 555-62300 ...Solenoid Shifter Kit..... $99.99 555-15234 ......Mopar Cable ......$69.99 Wiring Harness .......$545.99 Call for application ......... from$799.99
worldmags
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DIALED IN WITH MIKE FUQUA

A
s soon as the powers that
be at Drag Illustrated made me
aware that this was the annual
Performance Racing Industry show
special issue, I knew that this would
1-800-345-4545
serve as reading material for a whole
lot of racers on flights and long drives
down to Orlando. Hell, you might be
sitting in your hotel room on Interna-
tional Drive reading this right now.
E-Street Cylinder Heads
SB-Chevy From $899.99
It’s a lot to try and take in. PRI, that SB-Ford From $932.99
BB-Chevy From $862.99
is. Every racing part known to man, all
the companies in one spot, and for a
professional or sportsman racer like
yourself, it’s hard to believe this isn’t
the sponsorship capital of the world,
right? Well, sort of, but not exactly.
They’re all here, that’s for sure. Deci-
sion makers from every company that Pocket Practice
has manufactured virtually each and Tree II
everyone of the parts on your race car.
Trust me on this one, as I’ve been
Only
on both sides of the PRI playing field,
$
94 99
both as the hungry racer looking for
the million-dollar deal to the former
owner a motorsports company, Nitro-
FREE Switch
Plate, on display trying to do business I’m kidding. Don’t worry; he won’t and believe in them, and you have to
and sell product. make me wear the shirt. help them sell or they don’t have a rea-
If you picked up this magazine or Honestly, I have been very fortu- son to give you anything. ET Drag Slicks
subscribe and get it monthly, you’ve nate over the years to have a sponsor Prove to these guys that you are
proven your intelligence to me, as or two, but before that happens, you willing to go that one step further than
there is not a more entertaining have to prepare yourself to succeed. the next guy because if you can’t, I’ll
magazine anywhere. No, they don’t Winning a lot helps to get you noticed, be there getting your deal or some- From
pay me to say that. I’m simply stat- but don’t think it’s all that matters and one else who will. Find a way to give $
127 99
ing the facts. Now that we’ve deter- that it’s a deal breaker if you don’t. You them way more value than they give Compounded for
mined you’re smart, please don’t be must keep your car clean and neat; you in product, stay loyal, and tell maximum traction.
the dumbass walking around the floor your pits and trailer need to look the them you’re a buddy of Iron Mike’s –
of a trade show with some generic same way. You don’t need a $200,000 that’s sure to do the trick. Truth is, if
sponsorship folder for your race team rig to get a sponsor, but your stuff has you aren’t ready to take you’re racing
that you enlisted your nephew to de- to be presentable. You’ll also need to seriously and if you don’t have a plan Air Boss Drag Chutes
sign in exchange for a new PlayStation get to know the guys that make the or any idea whatsoever as to what you
3 game. First, it’s going to make you decisions at the companies. For Nitro- can offer a company, don’t waste your
look stupid. Second, and this I can Plate, it was me, and if you want the time or theirs throwing a tri-fold bro-
promise you, they’re going to throw it million-dollar deal like I got from DI, chure in their face. Get yourself pre-
in the trash as soon as you walk away. you’ll have to call Wes Buck. pared to succeed and go to the races. Only $499 99
856-42030KJ
Hand one off to the right guy at the Getting to know the right people You’ll more than likely meet the right
wrong time and he’ll probably throw is critical. You must get to know them people there.
it away while you’re standing in front and them you. Once you’ve built the I’d love to elaborate even further, but
of him. relationship you have to show them it’s after midnight and the bed in this Magnum Drag 2.0 Wheels
Have you ever been eating dinner, how working with you will help them Birmingham, Alabama hotel room is From $38199
relaxing at home, or perhaps been in sell more carburetors, converters, or calling my name. My nine-year-old
the middle of something really im- whatever they make. Offer to test a son, Blake, has an ice hockey game Engineered for
strength and speed
portant, and had your phone ring? product for them, and give them real tomorrow, so I’m here to watch. He
Remember how you felt when that feedback. watched me win $30,000 last month,
telemarketer asked for your wife and Someone like Greg from FTI Trans- so I’m returning the favor. Hopefully
if you’d be interested in a new long missions would probably be glad to we’ll be hauling his trophy home this
distance provider? Need I say more? give you a converter if you could sell time.
Everyone wants a huge sponsor- 30 transmissions for him – that’s just Premium Full Gasket Sets
ship contract, much like the one I just good business. You’ve got to come to See you at the stripe,
signed with Drag Illustrated. Not only terms with the fact that you have to Iron Mike From
do I get a million up front in cash and give back more than they give you, 324
$ 99
50 grand a month for the next five and it takes work. The days of finding Please send me your feedback at 375-2811
375-2812
years, but all I have to do is put a stick- people to give you thousands of dollars fuqua@dragillustrated.com 375-2813
er on my car and trailer, wear a t-shirt is over in this economy, but product 375-2814
and write this column. sponsorships, at least to me, are more

Oh, calm down, Wes. They all know valuable. You need to run the products
worldmags
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MAKE OR BREAK Jenkins and he came up to our shop

With Rick Jones
After we finished the car on Friday mined, so I think we’ll run well.
Owner of RJ Race Cars and Quar- in Galesburg for the last four days afternoon, we left our shop Saturday While I understand and appreci-
ter-Max Chassis & Racing Compo- of assembly to show us how to wire morning and drove straight down to ate that not everyone is afforded the
nents for 20-plus years, Rick Jones and plumb a nitrous car correctly. Shannon and Mike Castellana’s shop time required to go testing on an
is a former world championship Shannon and his team have so much in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We worked off weekend, I can’t deny its impor-
winning IHRA Pro Stock racer, com- experience that their input has been all day Sunday prepping the car to tance to a successful race program.
peted in NHRA Pro Stock Truck, invaluable. Personally, I’ve watched go testing on Monday and Tuesday Too frequently do I see racers try to
and now serves as crew chief for his him race for a long time, and I feel in Steele at Alabama International accomplish too many things at once
son, Rickie, in the ever-competitive he is the best nitrous racer in the Dragway. We went up for the first – like trying to test a new setup or
NHRA Pro Stock ranks. In their de- sport today. We have built a ton of run and when Shannon popped the part while attempting to qualify for
but season, the father and son team Top Sportsman cars over the years clutch the car went straight with a a race. It’s not impossible to make
snagged a Top 10 finish in the points that were equipped with nitrous, .955 sixty-foot time. Not bad for our improvements using qualifying as a
and Rickie was nominated for Rook- but we haven’t built a purpose-built first launch. We spent two full days test session, especially if you’re able
ie of the Year. Together they work to nitrous Pro Mod car in quite awhile. testing and we made a lot a changes; to get comfortably in the show early,
solve the Pro Stock problem week af- We’ve got a handle on it now, but trying different four-link and shock but the for the most part, I like to
ter week on the grueling NHRA tour. there have been a lot of things dif- combinations especially. see racing and testing as two sepa-
ferent for us. Everyone at my shop I feel we learned a lot and after rate things. It may sound cliché,
A
fter years and years of has put in a lot of effort in the last two days we left with a car that went but no matter what kind of car you
racing Pro Stock, we had our few months designing and building perfectly straight and was extremely race or at what level you race, prac-
first experience in running a these new cars, and I’m proud to say fast down low. When we go testing, tice makes perfect. If you’ve got a
Pro Nitrous doorslammer a couple that our new cars have a lot of trick I always try to have a game plan on non-points race coming up and had
weeks ago. We had actually just fin- parts on them. I am very happy with what we want to test. It seems like thought about skipping it, maybe
ished a new ’69 Camaro for Shannon how it has turned out. sometimes things don’t work out. take the opportunity to be at the
Not everything you try, un- track when the pressure is off and
less you’ve got a little luck try to improve your program. Lots
on your side, is going to of tracks, especially early and late in
work out. But you can’t get the year, hold regular test sessions,
discouraged. You have to so take advantage. You can make a
remember that the value of lot of runs and gain a lot of experi-
testing lies in the opportu- ence and information in a day, so
nity to try new things and don’t feel like you have to rent a
that oftentimes knowing track for a week to test.
what will not work is as We can’t wait to get out to the
valuable as knowing what track with Rickie’s new Pro Nitrous
will. Camaro. Honestly, I’ve never run
Our goal is to introduce anything with nitrous before and,
some new technology to believe me, this thing has big power.
Pro Modified style racing I think it’s really cool and we can’t
and leverage some of what wait to go testing again to get us
we’ve learned running ready for the race season. Rickie is
Pro Stock for the last few really looking forward to driving it,
years. It’s easy to say things too. I know we have a lot of work to
like that, but as always, do, but that’s never slowed us down
the proof will be what the in the past.
scoreboards say when the
dust settles. It might take a See you at the races,
little time, but we’re deter- Rick Jones
“You have to remember that

the value of testing lies in the
opportunity to try new things
and that oftentimes knowing
what will not work is as valuable
as knowing what will.”
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D.I. INSIGHT worldmags
PRO-MOTERS WITH SPECIAL GUEST
SCOTT GARDNER
ample, I would love to be able to have a posted purses. We have now begun, in
perfect race track all the time. But that is some cases, to bring back the purse style
simply not possible no matter how hard competition classes of yesteryear to the
I try as I cannot control the variables. event. With the evolution and increas-
The weather is one variable as sunshine, ing popularity of the AA/FC (Nitro
clouds, hot, cold, dry and wet conditions Nostalgia Funny Cars), we now have an
all have an effect on how the track per- entertaining group of cars that are in
forms. Think about how oil downs; even abundance – of which many are inter-
different tires like street tires and slicks ested in pure competition. These cars
effect how good, or not so good, the sur- are similar to the ones that made drag
face is. Simply put, it’s not a perfect sci- racing and the World Series of Drag
ence and probably never will be. Some Racing what it is today. It’s exciting to
things are not controllable. be able to bring a real competition pro
Now take all the obstacles that are class back to the World Series and es-
continuing to play against the race track pecially a class that includes 5-second,
and then try to market and promote one 240 mph nitro burning bad asses. The
Scott Gardner is a former Vice Pres- this business long enough. Inevitably a of the largest independent and clearly fans definitely get their moneys worth as
ident of the United Drag Racers As- freak lightning storm will come along the oldest continuous drag race in the these guys don’t lift on a dime and are
sociation and former Pro-Stock car and toast your timing system wiring, world, The World Series of Drag Racing. not on the “coast and collect” program
team owner. He is the current owner your computer operator will quit on a When you add the ingredients together that I have witnessed first hand.
operator of Cordova Dragway Park, Thursday night before a 3-day event, a you can be building an atomic bomb or With the resurgence of the Nitro
Cordova, Illinois and well as co- car will crash and a driver will lose his an awesome celebration of speed and Nostalgia Cars, The World Series of
owner operator of Eddyville Race- life or almost everyone in the region de- entertainment. It all lands squarely on Drag Racing is becoming fresh again.
way Park, Oskaloosa, Iowa and cides to stay home on a day when you my shoulders. One of the reasons I went In 2010, the event drew the second best
Cedar Falls Raceway, Cedar Falls, planned a special event at the track. into this business, and in particular at crowd ever and that, I believe, is directly
Iowa. This business, similar to a professional Cordova Dragway, was to continue the correlated to the hard work and dedica-
race operation is not one for the faint of World Series Event, which was about to tion that the staff and I have invested
SO YOU WANT TO BE A heart. Then of course, you need to add come to an abrupt end. Obstacles or not, in making the event the best it can be.
TRACK OPERATOR? in the constant rumble of the rumor the show must go on! We are not trying to put on a NHRA
B
ack in 1995, I answered that mill and the internet forums with those In 2011, the World Series of Drag National Event, nor do we want to. The
question with a resounding couch-sitting quarterbacks that can give Racing will be 58 years young. Having success of the World Series of Drag Rac-
“Yes”. I thought, how hard can it you heartburn that even two doses of the controls of such a piece of history is ing comes down to being a powerful and
be to run a race track on the weekends, Nexium daily won’t relieve. something I don’t take lightly. I struggle exciting entertainment venue conduct-
and of course, the profits they have to be So, the question begs … why? Why with making some of the decisions that ed in a sensible time frame. After all,
terrific. I learned a lot very quickly. First would anyone want to run a race track? are required to stay on the forefront of consider other entertainment options.
and foremost that the above statement It’s a good question with a complicated not only entertainment but keeping the Do people go to five-hour movies? Not
was not even close to reality. answer. It might be easier to tell you event as an important piece of drag rac- hardly. So, why would we want to pro-
I would estimate that I get a half a what running a race track isn’t. I don’t ing history. Such decisions include who duce a professional entertainment show
dozen or more calls each year from peo- operate the race tracks for the great will race and what the format will be. that will last longer than four hours?
ple who want to own or manage a drag profits or health care insurance. I don’t It’s no secret that hiring the best teams Simple answer, we don’t. What is cool
strip. I do my best to respectfully give operate race tracks because I have the in drag racing has become increasingly about the World Series of Drag Racing
them a short version of a long story, that wintertime off (never has happened difficult. The costs associated with run- is that for those fans who want to see
“It’s damn hard”. and probably never will). ning the NHRA Top Fuel Dragsters and more action, they can arrive early and
Never in my wildest dreams did I Becoming a successful track opera- Funny Cars is astounding. Then add in see the Nitro Nostalgia Funny Cars, the
think operating a facility, or facilities tor comes from some sort of underlying the fact they race 23 weekends already Doorslammers and other classes in the
in my case, would take so much time condition that motivates me to make it on the NHRA tour and their crews are afternoon qualifying sessions. However,
and dedication. The variables involved work through all the obstacles that ex- stretched to the maximum. For good for most fans the 7 until 11 p.m. feature
in operating a race track probably mir- ist. Even if I take time off (which is rare measure, remember that racing the show time frame is almost perfect.
ror those of an NHRA Funny Car or in itself ), I am often thinking about how World Series will count as a testing day I didn’t invent the World Series of
ADRL Pro Extreme car. Often, just I can make our facilities better. And re- against the team, of which they are lim- Drag Racing format, I just tweaked it
when you think you have it figured out, ally, that probably answers the question ited. When you consider all those factors to make it the best I can. I didn’t in-
reality will set in and a curve ball will be of why I operate race tracks. Because it’s amazing we can still attract any good vent great facility operations; I just
thrown for a direct hit. Some problems there are so few successful tracks and teams. If it weren’t for the independent strive to have the best for the racers and
are somewhat predictable; it will rain on track operators, the drive is to simply be teams working and scraping for each fans on weekly basis. So, remember the
20% of your events, oil downs will occur successful. I can’t stand to perform at a dollar, we probably wouldn’t have fuel next time “shop talk” turns to throwing
when the grandstands are full or your less than my potential. I often think of cars anymore to race. jabs at your home track operator, con-
$30,000 timing system will “burp” in a Bob Glidden and his reign of terror in When the World Series of Drag Rac- sider the fact that without them there
final round with 10K on the line. While the 1980’s NHRA Pro-Stock. He didn’t ing began, it was a true race of compe- wouldn’t be any place to race, and like-
these problems are not fun, at least I can get his nickname “Mad Dog” by resting tition with classes and purses posted ly he or she is doing the best that they
expect that they can and will happen. on his accomplishments. It’s was his re- for all competitors. Of course as drag know to do. It’s the old saying, “if it was
However, there are several other lentless drive to be the best and perform racing changed, the feature cars began easy, everyone could do it.”
problems that can occur if you stay in at his best, as it is for many of us. For ex- to be booked in rather than racing for
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THE REAL DEAL With Tommy D’Aprile
Barklage, calling to offer up his Lucas Oil ‘57

Chevy Pro Extreme car. Before I knew what
happened he and his dad Mark were on the
road for what turned out to be a 12-hour drive
to bring us a car.
Mel and I were shocked. They had to load
their car, have Jared, one of their guys, drive
two hours to pick up the engine and after all
that arrive at the race track at 2:00 AM on Fri-
day. Then started the miracle marathon work
session. Chris Duncan, his dad and his crew
were all there as well. The car was unloaded
and we all got to work. I have never witnessed
the sunrise while working on a race car. They
ARP’s proven reliability goes far Tommy D’Aprile, an up-and-coming hired
worked on that car right until our first qualify-
ing run, and yes, we made it. I could not be-
beyond the inside of your engine! gun wheelman, broke out on the Pro Modified
scene in 2006 as the driver of Quain Stott’s
lieve that only hours prior I was carless.
Not only did they bring a car and a rig,
Most racers know that ARP® head studs, main studs and second car, a blown and alcohol injected ’63 we had about 10 crew guys as well. I knew
rod bolts are the cornerstone of engine reliability. This Corvette in IHRA Pro Modified competi- then that no matter what we did on the race
tion, and has grown in popularity as one of track that this was the biggest victory I had
same kind of dependability extends to your driveline
doorslammer drag racing’s true characters. ever been a part of. Understand, all of this was
and external components thanks to ARP’s extensive Currently, D’Aprile drives for Mel Bush Mo- done out of the goodness of people’s hearts
line of fasteners for these crucial applications. torsports and competes in the ADRL Pro Ex- and the love of the sport; not for money. Most
treme category. An avid health and fitness thought it was crazy for the Barklage family to
■ CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL enthusiast, D’Aprile will correlate his respon- do such a thing, but then it hit me. Generally
Available in 180,000 PSI tensile strength High sibilities in the cockpit to both physical and speaking, people just don’t do this unless they
Performance Series or 200,000 PSI Pro Series, these mental wellbeing. are being heavily compensated, but the real-
heat-treated chrome moly steel bolts provide increased ity is the Barklages are not just people. They
T
strength and improved flywheel register. he holiday season is upon us, and are people with some of the biggest hearts I
this is the time of year when people have ever met. I was about brought to tears
■ HEADER STUDS just feel a little more giving and jovial. with the reality of this whole situation and es-
Virtually impervious to heat, ARP’s stainless steel header I always wonder why we have to wait for the pecially the reality that they themselves were
studs make for easy header attachment and removal holidays to do something nice for someone. not racing because of the cost to do so. Let me
time after time. Special reduced-wrenching header bolts I would love for the holiday season feeling tell you, my Christmas present came early.
also available. to last for people throughout the year. Well, The friendships our team made that weekend
as luck or misfortune would have it, I got to and the story that came out of it was truly a
■ WHEEL STUDS find out that my wish for just plain goodness miracle.
These rugged 200,000 PSI studs are made from heat- in people came true and was witnessed first The rain came and washed away our last
treated 8740 chrome moly and cadmium plated for extra hand. qualifying attempt but it could not dampen
durability. Available for many OEM applications, as well The week approaching our final race of the our spirits. We all sat and laughed together
as aftermarket axles. 2010 calendar year was a bit trying. We were and I knew then how thankful I was for our
already going to be down a crewman and then misfortune. The trailer was burned up, but
■ INTAKE BOLTS we got the news another crewman could not lives were touched in a way that even a cham-
Ensure optimum intake system sealing with these attend. Then two days prior to the event yet pionship could not duplicate. How something
specially designed 170,000 PSI tensile strength bolts. another crewman was sidelined. Holy moly, like a misfortune can bring so many together
They have a wide underhead flange for better load I thought. This race was looking to be a one was nothing short of amazing. It made me
man crew operation, along with a one armed think: shouldn’t it always be that way?
distribution. Available in stainless or black oxide 8740.
driver as I was still recovering from my earlier The Barklage family showed a remark-
■ PAN STUDS surgery. I stayed optimistic and knew with our able amount of generosity, and so can we in
Servicing the bottom end of an engine is much easier tight knit racing community we would be just our everyday life. You don’t have to lend out
when you employ ARP® “bullet nose” pan studs that fine. A good night’s sleep and it was off to the a race car, but you can lend a kind word or a
effectively guide the pan and nuts into place. Available in airport headed for Dallas. An early morning listening ear to someone. Help someone with
phone call grabbed my attention. On the other something. Matter of fact, we should go out
stainless or black oxide 8740. end of the phone line was my team owner Mel of our way to do something for someone else.
■ CONVERTER/FLEXPLATE Bush. His first words were, “Are you sitting People may think you’re crazy, but maybe
Sheared bolts are a thing of the past when you use down?” those people are like our race trailer. They look
ARP’s rugged 200,000 PSI rated torque converter and I thought to myself, oh, boy. This doesn’t great on the outside, but are all burned up on
sound good. On the way to the race track there the inside thinking life is all about themselves.
flex plate bolts. Available for all popular automatic
was a mishap in the trailer involving the golf Don’t be a pretty exterior with fire on the in-
transmission/engine combinations. cart that caught the trailer on fire. What a side. Be a Barklage, one whose kindness and
week, now the missing crewmen didn’t seem hearts are as big as the state of Texas.
BUILD BETTER ENGINES WITH like such a big deal. They decided to bring the I have won a lot of races in my career, but
NEW ARP ULTRA-TORQUE! rig to the races anyway to access the damage. I’m telling you the truth when I say that I
This remarkable new fastener assembly lubricant does not have the When I saw it I could not believe it. The out- would trade every one of them for that fate-
restrictive friction of oil, moly, EPL and other lubes and eliminates preload side of the trailer looked great, but the inside ful weekend in Dallas, Texas. My spirit was
scatter. ARP Ultra-Torque® lets you get within 5% of the required preload and all contents were charcoal. To add insult renewed and lives were touched by this whole
on the first pull —and all subsequent pulls. Accurate preload on adjacent to injury, when the rig came to a stop at the ordeal. I want people to see that just because
fasteners prevents bore distortion and uneven bearing loading, too! track gate the right front semi tire blew up, it the holidays come and go, our giving spirit can
scared half the track to death. I dared not say be a daily decision. Every one of us can make
THE WORLD LEADER IN FASTENER TECHNOLOGY what else could happen, but something else a difference and be a blessing to someone else.
did happen – a story that will live in my heart The Barklage family certainly was to us.
forever. In closing, I would just like to extend my
Mel Bush and I decided to enjoy the race gratitude from the entire Mel Bush Racing
and keep a good attitude about the whole team to all those who made our weekend in
thing. Mel said that you never put a question Texas so memorable. You have touched our
mark where God has put a period. Well said, hearts and shown us the true meaning of the
I thought to myself. Shortly after making a word selfless. God Bless you all this holiday
few calls to see if any cars were available so season.
we could at least get points for showing up,
800-826-3045 w w w. a r p - b o l t s . c o m my phone rang. On the other end was Cody Tommy D’Aprile
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Our own Bubba Smoothe answers your questions
Q I can’t help but notice the

huge telephoto lenses the
media photographers use at
feel they are God’s gift to photography. It’s been an honor to shoot all
the stars of the sport and have the opportunity to shoot from such kill-
er vantage points. Back to safety, I prefer the hearing protection from
the race track. What I’m re- NW Radios with their custom-made ear molds. I’ve got a few friends
ally wanting to know is if the and fellow photographers that wear the radio headsets you see crew-
chicks dig these huge camera members wearing on the starting line to communicate with the driver.
extensions. We single men They have the frequency so that they can listen in to the race team’s
out here are looking for any communication on the starting line and just prior to a run.
advantage we can get.
A
- Seth, Venice Beach, California
In my many years of doing
commercial and motorsports
Q I frequently fly for work, and I’m aware that you do the same.
What are your thoughts on TSA’s new full-body scanning ma-
chines? You know, the ones that sneak a peak at passenger’s pri-
photography, one thing I have learned vate parts. I’m not sure how comfortable I am with it, let alone get-
is that yes, Seth, size really does matter. ting an aggressive pat down if I opt out.
Forget about all that motion in the - Feeling violated in California
ocean talk, image stabilization and so
forth, what really gets great shots and
attention is size. This is exactly why I
A Thanks for writing, violated in California. Well, I guess the days
of carrying my zoom lens on the plane are over. You know, I try to
stay humble, but it’s tough. Tell you the truth, I’m always down for a
chose to go with a Canon 400mm F4 lens when fresh set of hands to pat me down and the more aggressive the better –
I’m trying to score a money shot. especially if it’s going to keep America safe.
Q
I’m a casual smoker who always
likes to enjoy a nice cigar and a
stiff drink. It seems like I see as many
Q I’ve been thinking hard about upgrading to a top shelf pair of
sunglass like Oakley or Ray-Ban. I usually just buy the cheap
stuff at the 7-Eleven, but feel like I need to make an investment
photos of drivers with a cigar hanging in something stylish and high quality. What is your take and what
out of their mouth as I do with helmets on these days. brand of eye protection do you use when you’re shooting at the
What’s the stogie of choice in the pro drag racing ranks? track. Eagerly awaiting your reply.
- Adam, Florida - Jay, Des Moines
A Thanks for writing, casual smoker. Perhaps the only thing better
than spending a nice evening at the races with a beautiful woman
(or women, if the opportunity arises) is to make sure we find our way
A Believe me, Jay, proper eyewear is important for a multitude of
reasons. I’d rank ‘em right up there with a helmet – both types.
Though you won’t be able to find a pair of shades that will stimulate,
back to my bus and enjoy a good smoke and drink. Over the course of excite and enhance her pleasure. Personally, my choice of eyewear de-
the last year or so, I’ve been exposed to Hookah pipes, which are ex- pends on the location of the casting call. If I’m bumping shoulders with
tremely popular in the Middle East, and purchased my own. A friend motorsports’ elite, I roll with my Prada or Ermenegildo Zegna shades.
of mine who drives an Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme car turned me Those are the situations where style is priority one. When shooting
onto this, and I really enjoy it when I get the chance. I was actually all day at the track, where comfort and protection are as important
out in Las Vegas just a few short weeks ago for the NHRA event and as style, if not more, it’s all about the Oakleys. I’ve always struggled
stumbled across a Hookah lounge on “the strip” where they had vari- to resist the temptation of the Rolling O store that used to be on the
ous flavors of the shisha tobacco that is smoked. Some say it originated midway at every NHRA race, so I have a slew of them. Remember, and
in Turkey over 500 years ago while others feel it came from Syria and this is important, the darker the lens the more often and longer you
India, but it is basically a mixture of leaf tobacco like you’d find in a can stare without getting busted.
cigarette or cigar that is soaked in fruit shavings such as apples, grapes,
or strawberries. I prefer the Al Fakher brand’s white grape flavor – it’s
spectacular. Back to cigars, Pro Stock racer V. Gaines seems to prefer
the Zino Platinum Barrel stogie after a pass, and I’ve seen a few elite
Q The American Drag Racing League fought rainouts from
almost start to finish in 2010, and practice a “no racing on
Sunday” policy that seems to receive mixed reviews. What’s your
team owners puffing on a Gurkha after a hard day at the races. opinion?
- Carol, North Carolina
Q Can you share the experience of standing on the guardrail,

mere feet away from fuel cars at a national event? What kind
of hearing protection do you use?
A I think it’s fairly pointless to get all worked up about it – that’s for
sure. I’ve heard both sides of the argument listening in to Drag
Illustrated Radio, but it’s not a new concept for the ADRL not to race
- Joe T., Dallas, Texas on Sundays, so why get all bent up? By definition, volunteers can’t be
A Hey Joe, great observation, my friend. Safety is paramount at any

event and a big part of it is simply paying attention. I also try to
watch out for all my buddies that shoot with me – even the ones that
victims.
Got a question for Bubba? Email him at bubba@dragillustrated.com
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PRODUCTS & PRESS
RoushYates to Debut Mickey Thompson Introduces

Sportsman Engine at PRI Six New Pro-5 Drag Wheel Sizes
RoushYates Performance Engine Mickey Thompson Performance insures that every wheel is absolutely
Group will debut their first ever sports- Tires & Wheels is proud to introduce smooth, true, and consistent from
man drag racing engine in December six new sizes in the popular Pro-5 Drag wheel to wheel.”
at the Performance Racing Industry Wheel line. All Pro-5 Drag Wheels are For more information and a full
trade show in Orlando, FL. The new one-piece, rotary-forged aluminum, list of sizes, please refer to the 2011
engine will be a 4.600” bore 582 cubic and fully CNC Machined. The wheels Mickey Thompson catalog at http://
inch big block, that will produce 900- range from 15x8 to 15x15, and a new mickeythompsontires.com/catalogs/.
1150 horse power depending upon op- 16x16 size is also available. The new
tions. “This new engine will be well wheels come in 5 on 4.5 and
suited for Top Sportsman and Top 5 on 4.75 bolt patterns in
Dragster applications,” says RoushY- various back spaces for
ates engine builder, Sandy Wilkins. popular drag race fit-
The engine will tip the scales at 590 ments. Each wheel
pounds, and feature Brodix/RoushY- is drilled for 5/8-
ates cylinder heads, Dart block, Pro teams. RoushYates Performance En- inch shank style
Systems Carburetor with MSD Igni- gine Group provides power for a vari- race studs. The
tion. RoushYates made international ety of applications including Nascar, Pro-5 is highly
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Mooresville, NC-based engine con- els to name a few. “When we part- truly impressive
glomerate announced that a partner- nered with Justin Humphreys earlier appearance.
ship had been struck with NHRA this year, our intentions were to also “Every sur-
Pro Stock driver Justin Humphreys. build quality and reliable race engines face of each Pro-5
The entry into Pro Stock was the drag for the sportsman competitor,” added wheel has been ful-
racing debut of the RoushYates Wilkins. To learn more about RoushY- ly CNC-machined,”
brand since forming 7 years ago. In ates Performance Engine Group you said Carl Robinson,
addition to their business partner- may contact Sandy Wilkins at (704) Motorsports Manager,
ship, owners Jack Roush and Doug 658-1540 Mickey Thompson Perfor-
Yates each own independent NASCAR www.roushyates.com mance Tires & Wheels. “This
Charles Nearburg’s the “Spirit of Rett”

Breaks 45-Year Old Record
Charles Nearburg’s (Dallas Tx.) the The engine was built to withstand a SPECS
“Spirit of Rett” broke the Class 11 re- 60 plus-seconds application of nitrous GM DRCE 2 Block w/4.685” Bore
cord of 409.27 mph set by the Sum- oxide, and it performed to absolute Bryant 3.800” Stroke Crankshaft
mers Brothers “Goldenrod” in 1965, to C.P. Pistons
perfection.
Carrillo Rrods
become the fastest single engine car The engine’s base power rating Total Seal Piston Rings
in history. The first run averaged 417 without nitrous is 1,180 Hp with 800 M-2 Tool Steel Wrist Pins from Trend
mph with an exit speed of 422.6 mph. Ft./Lbs. of torque. The base power Jesel Valvetrain/ Belt Drive/Roller Lifters
On the return run the “Spirit of Rett” level is so low, due to the 13.0:1 static Manton Pushrods
topped 417.65 mph with an average compression ratio and a mild valve Del West Titanium Valves
speed of 411.7 mph. Per FIA official train. With just one stage of nitrous it PAC Racing Springs/Retainers/Keepers
regulations, the two runs were com- approaches 1,700 Hp. Competition Cams Roller Camshaft
bined for an average speed of 414.5 From what we learned this time, we Barnes Dry Sump Oil System
mph, shattering the 45 year-old land Reher Morrison Billet Runner Intake Manifold
know there is more power available!
Speedtech Nitrous System
speed record. Charles Nearburg has done an awe- MSD Ignition System
Based on a NHRA Pro Stock, the some job with this entire program. Pro Systems Carburetors
525 ci engine was built to withstand As we all know it takes everybody in- Fel Pro Gaskets
8,700 rpm of extended use, as runs at volved to make things come together. ATI Super Damper
Bonneville can last up to 1½ minutes.
No problem for Reher-Morrison Rac-
ing Engines with over 30 years expe-
rience building efficient gas burning
engines. Induction specialist Darin
Morgan designed the cylinder heads.
The crew at Reher-Morrison led by
David Reher, Bruce Allen, and head
engine builder Brad Morgan did the
rest. One unknown element was the
extended use of up to 500Hp of ni-
trous oxide. That’s where Brandon
Switzer of Speedtech Nitrous assisted.
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CONGRATULATIONS!
ADRL-SEASON RECAP
“Spirit of Rett” Breaks 45 Year Old Record! Pro Nitrous Battle of the Belts
Champion- Burton Auxier
6 Winners in 10 races
Average of 6 out of 16 Qualifiers per Race
ADRL World ET Record:
Shannon Jenkins (3.813 et)
5 of the Top 10 in Points are RM Customers
Bonneville Salt Flats - September 21, 2010
ADRL World Finals- Ennis, TX
(Held 10/09- Counted Toward 2010 Points)
Charles Nearburg’s (Dallas, TX) the “Spirit of Winner: Khalid Al-Balooshi
BURTON AUXIER
Rett” broke the Class 11 record of 409.27 mph 7 RMRE Qualifiers
Scott Ball - San Antonio, TX
set by the Summers Bros. “Goldenrod” in 1965, World Champion
Dragpalooza VI- Houston, TX
to become the fastest single engine car in history! #1 Qualifier: Burton Auxier 2010 IHRA - Top Dragster
The combined 2 run average speed was 414.5 mph, #2 Qualifier: Shannon Jenkins Track Champion
shattering the 45 year old land speed record. 6 RMRE Qualifiers
2010 San Antonio Raceway
DOUG RIESTERER
Georgia Drags VI-Valdosta, GA
Joe Pigford - Houston, TX Winner: Mike Castellana
Texas Pro Stock Association #1 Qualifier: Burton Auxier
Winner 2010 4 RMRE Qualifiers
U.S. Drags III- Richmond, VA

#1 Qualifier: Shannon Jenkins
LEE ADKINS 7 RMRE Qualifiers
Summer Drags III- Martin, MI

Steve Sterwald Sr.
Winner: Lee Adkins

7 RMRE Qualifiers Sue Sterwald
JOE DOES IT AGAIN!
JIM LAURITA
Independence Drags IV- Topeka, KS
#1 Qualifier- Doug Riesterer
TEXAS PRO STOCK ASSOCIATION 6 RMRE Qualifiers
2010 Winner - TPSA
2009 Runner Up - TPSA Texas Drags- Houston, TX
7 RMRE Qualifiers
2008 Winner - TPSA 2010 - Sterwalds Finish 1st/2nd/3rd
2007 Winner - TPSA
SHANNON JENKINS
Gateway Drags III- St. Louis, MO Badger Truck Pullers Association
Reher-Morrison - 565ci Engine Winner- Shannon Jenkins Pulling in one of Wisconsin’s top truck pulling
Cast S4B Intake Manifold Runner-Up- Randy Weatherford organizations, the Sterwald family (Lake Mills,
7 RMRE Qualifiers
Dart 360 Aluminum Cylinder Heads WI) produced a knockout one, two, three punch!
Dry Sump Oiling System Dragstock VII- Rockingham, NC Steve Sterwald Sr. follows up with another Super
1,250Hp @ 8,400 Rpm Winner: Doug Riesterer Stock title in 2010.
THANK YOU!
MIKE CASTELLANA Runner-Up: Stan Allen
#1 Qualifier: Shannon Jenkins
ADRL World ET Record:
BTPA 2010 - SUPER STOCK DIVISION
Steve Sterwald Sr. - Wins Super Stock Title
Steve Sterwald Jr. - Takes 2nd Place
To all of Reher-Morrison’s customers, both at home Shannon Jenkins (3.813 et) Sue Sterwald - Finishes 3rd
in the United States and abroad, THANK YOU! You 8 RMRE Qualifiers BTPA 2009 - SUPER STOCK DIVISION
are the backbone of racing. Your tireless efforts in Steve Sterwald Sr. - Wins Super Stock Title
the search for performance perfection is what drives Ohio Drags IV- Norwalk, OH
Winner: Jim Laurita Steve Sterwald Jr. - Takes 2nd Place
motorsports. We appreciate your continued business
and support! 6 RMRE Qualifiers Sue Sterwald - Takes a 5th Place Finish
Battle of the Belts- Ennis, TX

Champion: Burton Auxier
www.rehermorrison.com
Runner-Up: Shannon Jenkins
5 of 8 Battle of the Belts racers are
Reher-Morrison customers
817-467-7171 DI10AD49
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ON THE ROAD worldmags
SPORTSMAN suppose I could be called a profes-

sional racer, but I compete at the
low racers about Currie Enterprises,
trying to leave a positive and lasting
SPOTLIGHT
sportsman level. There were a ton of impression, for me is as important
cars and spectators that turned out as any trophy.
for the YellowBullet.com Nationals, I also utilize the net to generate
with special guest Scott “Lucky” Hudson but most of the sportsman classes millions of impressions per year
were filled with local racers. I don’t for my sponsors by being a host on
think many had traveled nearly Speed Scene Live TV. When I’m not
I
s it really possible to be is providing exceptional service, 3,000 miles to attend the race, es- traveling, I am in a studio in Holly-
a touring professional on the and letting racers know about it is pecially to race in the Pro Dial class, wood every Tuesday night, but when
sportsman level? Can that nine- my responsibility. I’ve been travel- but I was very excited about the I’m on the road I do the show from
or ten-second car of yours put you ing coast to coast, recently towing event as I’m well aware of the power whatever truck stop or racetrack my
on the road like the big guys? It’s not from my home in California all the of the internet and the following toterhome happens to be parked in.
for the faint of heart and requires a way out to Maryland, setting up our the guys at YB have created. I was I’ve also started leveraging the so-
lot of dedication, but it is possible. Currie Enterprises display so that glad that I was able to see the first cial networking sites on the web to
Hey, I’m living proof. racers and fans can see the prod- event and participate as a racer. Not spread the word about Currie and
For years now, I have been the uct line and get to know a little bit only did we have the opportunity to let people know where I’m racing
driver that represents Currie Enter- about the company through me. As represent Currie at the race, I also next and how I did at the last one.
prises at the drag strip. It’s been my I said, my latest trip took me across shot lots of footage for the Speed Visit my sponsor at www.Cur-
job to travel to the tracks, promote the nation; first to Denver’s legend- Scene Live TV show located online rieEnterprises.com and see the full
my sponsor, and race. Along the ary Bandimere Speedway for the at www.SpeedSceneLive.com. line of rearends, axles, third mem-
way, I’ve spent a lot of time trying PINKS All Out and Super Chevy After that string of events, I head- bers and related components. Look
to motivate other racers to pursue Show events, then to Norwalk, ed back to California for the NHRA for me at a racetrack near you, too.
sponsors just like me. You don’t have Ohio’s Summit Motorsports Park Hot Rod Reunion and then Phoenix I’ll be behind the wheel of my red
to drive a nitro car or a six-second, for another PINKS All Out before for the Super Chevy Show. Some- Currie Enterprises’ Super Sport
twin-turbocharged doorslammer to heading onto Cecil County Dragway times going rounds, sometimes win- Nova trying to go a few rounds.
be a professional drag racer, you just in Maryland for the YellowBullet. ing, and sometimes going out first
have to be willing to work hard and com Nationals. round, but always racing. Being able Lucky
apply yourself in the best interest of Being that I do this for a living, I to participate and talk with my fel-
a marketing partner.
For me, it’s been a pair of ’66 Chevy
Nova Super Sports that I’ve used to
represent Currie on the quarter-
mile, with both cars branded with
the Currie Enterprises logo, as well
as my other sponsors. One is a ten-
second small block-powered brack-
et car, and the other a nine-second
C Gas/Super Gas car with a 540ci
big block Chevrolet. Of course, both
are equipped with rearends from
Currie, a company that has been
proiding racers with high quality
products since 1959. Whether it’s a
muscle car, a drag car or an off road
truck, they have products for each
and every one of them.
But what has really been impor-
tant to Currie over the years, as
much as providing quality products,
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D.I. INSIGHT
to make the transition as smoothly as
possible and my position has been if
I’m the right one for it I’d be happy
to do it, but in the meantime I’m not
pushing to get a title,” he said.
“Kenny was always the ultimate say,
but I also got involved in everything
from track negotiations to sponsor-
ships to media and PR and there real-
ly wasn’t any area of the company that
I wasn’t involved in before at one time
or another, so that’s what I’m going to
continue to do.”
Looking forward, Fortune expressed
a great sense of anticipation for the
2011 ADRL season, tempered with a
little caution at losing the drive and
enthusiasm of the series’ most visible
member.
“Kenny has done some fantastic
things in the industry and has left the
ADRL in a very unique position, so
yes, it’s exciting. Trepidation? Yeah,
there’s probably some because when
everything changes you’ve got to get a
comfort level,” he said. “I really think
it’s going to turn a little bit from be-
ing so personality driven. There will
be a lot more personalities involved in
Times Are Changing

the ADRL now, which I think will be
a pretty good thing; I think needed.”
In the release, Nowling’s statement
was brief, but seemingly heartfelt.
It’s official, Kenny Nowling is no longer the President and CEO of the ADRL. An undeniable “First and foremost, Jessica [wife]
visionary, he changed drag racing forever, and may be doing it again By Ian Tocher and I want to thank all of the loyal
ADRL racers, marketing partners,
track partners and fans who have and
A
fter creating the coun- the point where it races only on na- ing well with us,” Fortune claimed. will continue to support the ADRL,”
try’s preeminent outlaw tional-event level tracks and in front “Obviously, I’m working a great deal Nowling said. “This was, without a
doorslammer series from what of record-setting crowds at most ven- with Tim McAmis now. He’s involved doubt, the toughest decision either
in 2004 was intended only as a one- ues. in all of the Al-Anabi teams, from Top of us has ever made. However, we
off showcase for NHRA Pro Mod stars “It’s gotten too big for one guy and Fuel to all of the ADRL teams, and are both extremely confident that the
at tiny Carolina Dragway, Nowling’s it rises to a level where his skill set is really, he wants to have nothing to individuals who have worked along-
departure was announced in a Nov. better served somewhere else, so I’m do with the day-to-day of the ADRL side us for the past several years will
18th press release from the O’Fallon, glad they recognized that,” Fortune other than helping us to use the same continue to build upon the success of
Missouri-based sanctioning body and added as he explained Nowling would kind of systems and management as the ADRL and carry it well into the
its previously unconfirmed ownership depart for Qatar in his new role with- the rest of Al-Anabi U.S. future.”
group, Al-Anabi Companies, headed in the next 10 days. “It’s very important to me to stay in Though public remain uncertain
by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al- “KH is a huge soccer and F1 fan and touch with Kenny,” Fortune contin- as to whether this will indeed be a
Thani (KH) of Qatar. always part of the plan was to interna- ued. “I mean, he’s an incredibly dy- step forward for the organization, or
“ADRL Co-Founder Kenny Nowl- tionalize drag racing along the lines of namic personality and sometimes you if Nowling’s passion for the ADRL is
ing will step down as President and Formula 1 and other sports. So that’s bask in the glow of it and sometimes being underestimated.
CEO effective immediately to take an kind of the thought process, to take you clean up after it. So there’s a lot “I think all the racers, sponsors,
expanded role in the company’s in- drag racing with the ADRL model and of that going on, but the foundation, track owners and fans of the ADRL
ternational development,” the release Arabian Drag Racing League model the reason I’m with the ADRL is be- will be thrilled that the entire execu-
stated. It also said that chassis builder to places like Australia and Europe cause of the whole business model of tive management staff will stay in
Tim McAmis, already responsible for along with expanding in the Middle it. I wasn’t a racing industry executive, place,” Tim McAmis offered in the
overseeing Al-Anabi’s United States East and North America ADRL style.” nor was that necessarily my goal, but official statement. “The ADRL has
racing operations, immediately as- Here in America, Fortune said he the business side of it and the struc- made tremendous strides in becom-
sumes the CEO role and all other cur- will spend that time helping McAmis ture of the ADRL, the opportunities ing a world-class racing organization
rent ADRL executives will remain in and Nowling make the leadership that it provides for racers, fans, spon- and it is a true testament to the team-
place. swap. sors; that’s why I’m here and it’s all work and professionalism of these
“In any company it’s best to start “I speak to Kenny three times a day still very, very valid.” individuals. They have gained the re-
with a very strong, strong personality still. Despite what some may say or be Considering his own future with the spect of the industry and I am anxious
and then there’s a point at which it’s thinking, it’s a nice and smooth tran- series, Fortune allowed he would en- to continue working with them in
PHOTO: MARK J. REBILAS
better to turn it over,” ADRL Execu- sition in almost every respect. He’s co- tertain taking over the helm if called 2011 and beyond.”
tive Vice President Jeff Fortune said, operating where he needs to and we’re upon, but any decision would have to The ADRL is said to be releasing
alluding to Nowling’s well-known keeping him apprised of everything wait until the current tasks are settled. their 2011 schedule soon which will
penchant for simultaneous self pro- he needs. We’re working jointly on “There hasn’t been a lot of discus- begin in March.
motion while building the ADRL to press releases and everything is work- sion on that here. Right now we need
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The Drag Illustrated Interview
BOB GLIDDEN WAS BACK Thirteen years ago he retired. Now he’s spent the last three months back behind the
wheel of a Pro Stocker and made one of the most celebrated returns to driving in
the history of the sport at the U.S. Nationals. Denied the medical authorization to
continue, he again faces retirement. By Wes Buck
PH OTO G RA PH BY M A RK J. RE BI L AS
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BOB GLIDDEN
U
pon arriving at the mac tools u.s. nationals – last stand, yet he wasn’t sure he could still do it,
physically. Having amassed 85 event wins, includ-
held annually since 1961 just west of downtown In- ing a legendary string of nine in a row in 1979, as
dianapolis on a stretch of concrete and asphalt now well as a likely never-to-be-touched 23 consecu-
tive No. 1 qualifying efforts, including every event
referred to as O’Reilly Raceway Park – we were met on the schedule in 1987, there is no questioning his
abilities behind the wheel or under the hood.
at our car by a Highway Patrolman, rather unpleasant At 5:50 P.M. on September 3rd, 2010, he
in temperament. “Can I help you, sir?” he asked, in a manner that had proved to himself and the world that he still had
it when the tree came down at O’Reilly Raceway
us questioning his sincerity. Only after we’d proven our identities and Park at Indianapolis and he dropped the clutch on
Cunningham’s righteous red Ford Mustang. With
been found on the list of authorized names were we permitted to pass the front wheels up, the car darted to the guard-
through security and into the place Bob Glidden calls his “pet track”. wall, but Glidden never waivered as he yanked
the car back into the center of the groove, rowed
Inside, the pits and grandstands are abuzz. breathing. He’s quite simply the most cordial fig- through the gears and clicked off a hard-fought
The fact that epic championship battles are be- ure in the Pro Stock pits. Asked about his legion 6.782-second, 204.94 mph pass. A lesser driver
ing waged between some of the best race teams in of fans, he teeters on emotional. “Over the years, would have lifted, it’s a fact, but Glidden, in his
the world seems merely an afterthought. Of tre- I’ve spent a lot of time with our fans,” he says. “And 324th race, wasn’t about to abort a run. Through
mendous interest, however, is the news that had they never forget, and I love ‘em. I could cry. It’s the next three pairs of cars, Glidden was the No. 1
broken only days prior, reporting nine-time U.S. enough to make a man cry.” qualifier in Pro Stock at the 2010 running of the
Nationals winner, Bob Glidden, will be replacing A few days prior, signing autographs for fans NHRA U.S. Nationals. By the conclusion of the
the rocking chair of retirement with the carbon fi- in between making qualifying runs at the U.S. Na- first round of qualifying, he’d fallen to 19th, and
ber seat of a Pro Stock Ford Mustang, dusting off tionals would have been the furthest thing from despite improving over the course of the next four
his helmet and driving gloves, and attempting to Glidden’s mind. For much of the period between runs, couldn’t break into the field. Widely regard-
qualify at Indy. Amidst likely the stiffest competi- 2003 and present day, the most drag racing he’d ed as the best Pro Stock has ever seen, there have
tion in the history of the factory hot rods, it wasn’t done was at the wheel of an Outlaw 10.5 car for been innumerable triumphs that could easily de-
going to be easy, but where his name ranked on the a few passes at the Street Car Super Nationals in fine Glidden’s career, but it’d be hard to argue that
list of qualifiers didn’t really matter. Over a dozen 2008. Following his official retirement from Pro qualifying 24th in 2010, especially in the fashion
years into retirement, he remains one of drag rac- Stock in 1997, Glidden did make sporadic appear- that he did it, doesn’t rank at or near the top.
ing’s most popular stars – a virtually unheard of ances, play test pilot during a stint as the lead man Yet for all Glidden’s achievements, it’s some-
feat for any competitor in any sport, especially at on Don Schumacher Racing’s Pro Stock effort, times hard to tell if he’s fully aware of his status
66 years of age. His name being on the list, alone, but making a competitive return to driving hadn’t in the sport of drag racing, or if it even matters to
warranted the attention of the masses. really crossed his mind. A heart attack victim in him. By his own account, he feels lucky more so
After half an hour, at least, spent signing au- 1994, he was almost forced by physical limitations than anything else. Considering his credentials,
tographs and shaking hands with adoring fans, to take it easy, seeking to replace one addiction he’d be fully justified in carrying a whole lot of
Glidden has a moment to talk, but only a moment. with another – golf, instead of Pro Stock. His game swagger with him everywhere he goes, and feel-
He’s dressed in blue jeans and a black sweatshirt, on the green, admittedly, isn’t nearly as good as it ing good about it, too. Before our interview even
and visibly proud of the Jim Cunningham Motor- is on the strip. began, after the first round of professional qualify-
sports logo embroidered on the chest. His features All it took was a phone call from a friend to ing at Indy, he almost tried to talk us out of do-
are pronounced, his face lined with wrinkles that spawn Glidden’s rebirth in racing. Sitting idle at ing it, reiterating he had merely been the product
speak to years of countless hours spent thrash- his home in Whiteland, Indiana, the 10-time Pro of good fortune, most of which was long ago. “We
ing in the shop, traveling the country from track Stock champion couldn’t shake the feeling of de- have been very, very lucky people,” Glidden says
to track, racing, and dominating. Though having feat, and when Jim Cunningham – a team owner in reflection. “A couple of times the difference be-
surely aged, Glidden is unmistakable, his graying who has flown the flag for Ford in NHRA Pro Stock tween number one and two was luck – plain and
hair neatly combed back, his tired green eyes still for years and struggled mightily – called Glidden simple. The fact of the matter is that was then, and
holding a spark. “Hello, sir,” he says. “I’m Bob.” and prodded him to give driving one more shot, to this is now.”
It’s a glorious afternoon in September, three join his team and help put a Ford back in the show, What comes as almost tragic is that Glidden
days before what everyone, Glidden included, Glidden accepted. This was sure to be the driver’s not only refuses to bask in his rightful glory now,
hopes to be his 27th career start at Indy. He sits but that he was so entrenched in the moment, so
in the bustling pit area, on the ledge of the trailer dedicated and consumed, that he didn’t take time
door, seemingly struggling to take it all in – pri-
marily, the 2010 Pro Stock Ford Mustang with “Without question, to appreciate it as it was actually happening. “You
know what’s incredible and sad?” Glidden once
1989 was by far our

BOB GLIDDEN on the window sitting before said in an interview. “Without question, 1989 was
him. Much has been made of the driver’s tenacious by far our best year, but I don’t think we really even
character, but in conversation he’s thoughtful and noticed it, or had an opportunity to enjoy it.”
polite. There’s little evidence of the ferocious com-
petitor you hear about in drag racing folklore, and
best year, but Fifteen years have passed since Bob Glidden’s
last national event victory, and the Pro Stock script
when discussing his past accomplishments, he has
a tendency to retreat, downplaying his success as if I DON’T THINK reads much the same as it did then – the roles are
simply played by different people. The success of
WE REALLY EVEN
bashful at being reminded of it. today’s Greg Anderson is not entirely unlike that
Our conversation is interrupted regularly. Glid- of a certain Midwestern kid with an unshakable
will to win that started breaking backs in Pro
NOTICED IT, OR HAD
den loves his fans, which seem never to fade from
behind the rope at the end of the trailer, and he Stock three decades ago. Dominant and high per-
wouldn’t dare disappoint. At one point, both Bob forming, Anderson is an ideal dramatic foil for
and wife, Etta, are working the crowd, shaking
hands and posing for photos. He’s a true joy to AN OPPORTUNITY TO an upstart race team; down on power, and on the
outside looking in. A stark contrast lies between
observe. He hugs anyone who wants to embrace
him, tassels the hair of children and has a genu-
ine countenance that seems to come as natural as
ENJOY IT.” Glidden’s role in the late 1980s and today. Just
which of those two he feels most comfortable, at
times, is hard to tell.
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RETURN TO BATTLE
Glidden admits that a lot has changed since
he last drove a Pro Stock car, but handled his
return to the driver’s seat just as expected -
like an old pro, who hasn’t missed a step.
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BOB GLIDDEN
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Congratulations on your return to driving, Bob. made a lot of progress in that regard, but we can this in my lifetime. She’s been here with me all
How does it feel? still use some horsepower. We’re getting better, weekend so far, and it really means the world to
I’m so excited that I can hardly put it into words. though. me.
This was a pretty big deal for me, just getting to What was that first run like here in Indy? Pro Stock is different now. In your day it was
drive this car. It was a pretty awesome feeling. I It was incredible; I couldn’t get it out of my it was more hard work and ingenuity than cubic
wasn’t sure that I could do it, and we weren’t sure mind. When I was pulling the straps down it was dollars.
that I should do it health-wise. That first run, well, so exciting. Indy is Indy. It’s my home and I have a It takes a lot of money to do it, but all the teams
every run, I’ve been so excited that it’s difficult to lot of great memories here. Even during our worst that have been successful have worked hard. That’s
deal with… [pauses] Hard to deal with my own years, we seemed to always have good luck in Indy. the key ingredient. I don’t know how else you could
emotions. Does fame feel different this time? The fans, the do it and succeed. We did everything ourselves
You’re definitely doing it. What exactly had to standing ovation after your first run, it’s astonish- back in the day, though. That’s the biggest differ-
transpire for this to even come to be? ing to see how people react to you. ence between back then and what you see today. A
When Jim [Cunningham] qualified at Seattle, I Being around the fans again has been such a lot of knowledge and experience is paid for now.
called him on Saturday to congratulate him. We’d wonderful experience. Over the years I’ve spent a To what would you attribute your work ethic
been talking, not really about me racing, but lot of time with our fans, and drive? Your upbringing? I’ve read that you
about his program and they never forget. were one of eight kids growing up on a farm.
and trying to get his I’ve got fans from what That’s the way I grew up. My father was a share-
cars to run. About a cropper farmer. I don’t think there is any better
week ago, he called place to learn the
me up and said, ‘Why value of hard work
don’t you come and than on a farm.
drive this car?’ I said, We all learned at
well, I hadn’t thought a young age that
about that. I’m not sure we had to work for
that I want to do that. I what we wanted.
told him I’d think about From the time I
it a couple of days. Well, was five years old,
I thought about it, and I was up at four
I called him back and I a.m. to help with
said that I’d sure love to the cattle, and we
give it a try. He told me worked long, hard
they were going to test days. We didn’t have
before Indy in Martin, Michigan. farm equipment, so
I said I’ll tell you what, I’ll go to we did almost ev-
the test, and I really figured that erything by hand.
I’d make a run, or part of a run, What turned you
and come back and say, ‘I don’t onto racing and me-
think so. Maybe I shouldn’t be do- chanics?
ing this.’ Since we didn’t have much, we had to do what-
When I did that first burnout, it ever was needed ourselves. We had a tractor break
was so exciting, it was such a thrill, down and that’s how I got my start. We couldn’t get
and I knew I was stuck again. I it into a shop, so I worked on it myself. As for rac-
came back and the first thing I said ing, well, when I was in high school, I got a job at
to Jim was, ‘Thanks.’ To get back in Ed Martin Ford and took a liking to the race cars.
one of these cars, just doing a burn- When I put enough money together, I bought my
out, it was so exciting. I really can’t own Ford and started racing it on the weekends.
thank Jim and all his guys that worked so hard to TIMES CHANGED, HE DIDN’T What’s it like looking back on all you’ve accom-
get us out here. From his Pro Stock debut in 1972 to his retirement plished, where you’ve came from and how hard you
I didn’t think I’d ever get this chance again. I in 1997, Glidden’s unrivaled will to win never faded. worked to get here?
His 1986 Ford Thunderbird that was later destroyed
never gave it a thought, really. I always thought I I don’t think a lot about it. We’re focused on
in one of Pro Stock’s worst crashes; his dominating
was too old, and I knew that it just takes too much ‘78 Ford Pinto; his 1992 Ford Probe. now.
money. Ten world championships, though. You’re a leg-
You don’t seem to have missed a beat, but how end.
different are these Pro Stock cars today? seems like a hundred years ago and to get in the I just came along at the right time. I’ve met
They are so much different. They’re running car and come here to Indy, to come down the re- so many great people and had so many great ex-
1,000 more engine RPM; they’re totally different. turn road and get a standing ovation – it makes me periences; I’ve been a lucky person. We won 10
The cars are much quicker; they leave a lot harder want to cry. There was a time, when you’ve done world championships and I promise you each one
than they did the last time I drove [at the 2003 this for so long, that maybe you take for granted of them was the greatest thing that had ever hap-
NHRA Finals]. These guys, Jim’s got some really how the fans make you feel. When you walk away pened to me. I think I’m most proud of the fact that
good people, Marcus, Brandon, Dean and Joe – from it for a while, it really makes you put it into we started with nothing and were able to maintain
they kind of babysit me to try and get me to do the perspective. It’s been unbelievable. a certain level of success for so many years.
PHOTOS BY NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER
right things. They make it pretty easy for me. The Anyone who has followed your career knows Do you have any regrets?
first time I got in the car, I was too weak to hold that your wife, Etta, has always been at your side. No regrets. It certainly was all consuming, but
the clutch in. They’ve worked really hard to make What did she have to say about all this? I knew that I had to be dedicated if I wanted to be
me fit in the car and I can’t thank them all enough. Well, when I told her that Jim and I were talk- successful. If I wanted to go racing, I had to win so
I’m just trying to do what they tell me to do. ing about me driving the car, she sat down and I could afford it. It’s all we knew.
To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever done a bet- cried. She didn’t want me back in a car. I think she You were able to race, win, and do it with your
ter job driving a race car than I did during our test thought I was nuts. I told her, you know, I thought family. What was it like to share that experience
runs. There were things that we needed to fix with I’d been in my last rodeo, but I was getting another with your sons, Rusty and Billy? To see Billy win
the car; it was horrible, almost undriveable. We’ve chance. I knew I’d never get another chance like the ADRL world championship?
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BOB GLIDDEN
PROVIDING FEEDBACK
For Jim Cunningham, who owns the Pro
Stock Mustang and operates the team that
put Glidden back behind the wheel, there
was probably no quicker way to improve
his program than having the “Mad Dog”
getting first-hand information.
I love both of my sons. Billy and Shannon [Bil- to beat people. Warren and I, back in our day, we to go back to Maryland to the shop to try and give
ly’s wife], they just work so hard. He doesn’t have were both pricks. his guys some different opinions on things and get
the money, but they work and I’m proud of them. Where do you go from here? Are you planning two good qualifying cars. I plan on driving the car
I’m proud of all of them. on driving for the rest of the year and beyond? for the rest of the season, and next. We knew we’d
Having retired due to lack of sponsorship and My plans are to help Jim Cunningham and his struggle. I feel bad that we ran so poorly today,
now making your return in 2010, could you be en- guys have a program that will qualify. We’re going these guys on this team work so hard.
vious of someone like Warren Johnson, struggling [During our follow up to the original interview
to perform and struggling to secure the necessary on Thursday, November 18th, we spoke with Glid-
financing to race? den from his home by phone. A few days prior he
My hat is off to Warren. That guy has been com-
petitive for decades. He won a race this year. It’s
“It certainly was all had collapsed after making his first qualifying
pass for the NHRA Finals in Pomona, was briefly
incredible. I can’t say enough about him.
That hasn’t always been the case, though, right? consuming, but I hospitalized and released. “I found out today that
I’m not going to be able to get my license back,” he
I don’t know that we hated each other, but it was
close to that. knew that I had to be explained. “I found out this morning. I hate that.
When I fell down in Pomona, it was my heart. My
dedicated if I wanted
Speaking of old rivals, I have to ask, were the heart stopped. My pacemaker shocked me and it
Dodge boys cheating? started again. The cardiologist won’t sign off on
I don’t even want to talk about that. I don’t think my license. I’m going to keep helping Jim for the
I give a shit anymore.
What’s your take on the current state of Pro to be successful. next three or four months, but I don’t know beyond
that. It is really disappointing.”]
Stock? Does the class need electronic fuel injection,
flat hoods, Camaros, Challengers, Mustangs to be IF I WANTED TO GO For a few months in 2010, Bob Glidden was
back. Everyone knew it. Those fortunate enough
RACING, I HAD TO
exciting? to witness one of the greatest-ever return to action
Well, we have the Mustangs now. I don’t think will surely not take it for granted. Humble in vic-
the cars are the problem. It wouldn’t hurt anything tory and defeat, Glidden remains a living legend,
to have them look a little closer to real cars, but I
think everything is good. No controversies. I think
WIN SO I COULD a champion no matter where his name falls on the
qualifying sheets.
that is the problem. They have to do something to
make it more exciting, but I don’t think it has any- AFFORD IT. IT’S ALL
thing to do with rules. They need to get something
going on, create some controversy. Take Mike Ed-
wards, he’s such a nice guy, I think he’s ashamed
WE KNEW.”
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Y
10 IN DRAG RACING
es, the ladies are certainly easy on the eyes, but we
By Ian Tocher
swear Drag Illustrated’s 10 Hottest Women in Drag Racing for

2011 relates only to their on-track prowess and/or promise for
sports it wasn’t easy whittling the list down to just 10 worthy women,
though certain inclusions fell under the proverbial “no brainer” cat-
egory. Regardless, in no particular order, here’s our take on the 10
the future. And with drag racing being the most egalitarian of motor- Hottest X-Chromosome-Carrying Drivers currently on the strip.
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10 IN DRAG RACING
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PRUETT-
LEDUC
D
riving the Déjà Vu-sponsored Plueger & Gyger ‘72 Mustang for team owner
and tuner Steve Plueger, Pruett-Leduc opened her 2010 season with a victory over veter-
an Gary Densham in the final round of the 52nd running of the March Meet at famed Fa-
moso Raceway in Bakersfield, California. The win was impressive enough as the first for
a woman at the prestigious and historic event, but few would have predicted she would
go on to also become the 2010 Nostalgia Funny Car champion for the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series.
A past multi-time regional and national Jr. Dragster champion, Pruett-Leduc was already driving
a blown alcohol flopper in her native California by the time she was in high school, later transforming
the car to an altered ’32 Bantam roadster for use in the Good Guys Vintage Series. By 2007, she and
her father, Ron, were immersed in building a Nostalgia Funny Car, in which she became the first driver
in the class ever to exceed 250 mph with a 6.07 at 250.37-mph pass in 2009 at Sacramento Raceway.
Pruett-Leduc also has performed in several modern Nitro Funny Cars test session within the Don
Schumacher Racing fold, but made her professional driving debut with team owners John Lindsay
and Phil Miller at the 2009 World Finals in Pomona, California, where she came up a little short in
qualifying. Regardless, plans remain for her to eventually join the big show on a full-time basis; though
defending her nostalgia championship in 2011 currently appears to be her focus.
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10 IN DRAG RACING
ALEXIS DEJORIA
KIM MORRELL
‘I
am focused and determined. I am on a two exceptions (including sitting one race out), Mor-
mission for a championship. I am ready to rell never started lower than fourth all year; she went
do battle. Be ready, for I am. Think of me, as to back-to-back finals late in the season; made three
I am thinking of you. You are my target, you semi-final appearances in the eight races she attend-
are my quest, you are my BELT!” ed leading up to the Battle for the Belts and finished
That was Kimberly Morrell’s Facebook post shortly the year with career-best numbers of 4.02 seconds
before departing in October for the Texas Motorplex, and 180.07 mph, representing only the second ADRL
where the ADRL’s Battle for the Belts would pit the rider ever to break the 180 barrier.
year’s top eight point earners in a winner-take-all Her season, in fact, probably would have been the
showdown to determine the 2010 Pro Extreme Mo- best in PXM history if not for the heroics of veteran
torcycle (PXM) world champion. racer Ashley Owens, who won an unprecedented
H
Morrell entered the year having never even quali- eight of nine events in 2010, set both ends of the class ad she wanted, Alexis DeJoria could
fied for ADRL eliminations in her 2009 rookie cam- records and ultimately would face off against Morrell have jumped straight into the big leagues of
paign, but this time around she was on a brand-new in the Battle for the Belts final. NHRA drag racing. As the daughter of John
Timblin Chassis-built bike with new DTM Perfor- Owens left first, but incredibly, his bike faltered Paul DeJoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell
mance power between the frame rails, had a new crew with an oil leak shortly off the start, while Morrell Systems hair care products and the 65th wealthiest
chief in three-time national champion John Sachs by rode on until her motor also expired in a ball of flame individual in the United States according to a 2009
her side and renewed determination to make a name just before tripping the eighth-mile beam in 4.49 sec- Forbes magazine report, she most likely could have
for herself. onds to make her the first female champion in ADRL found the funding to go big time, first time. Drag rac-
“It feels almost like a Cinderella story,” the Ft. Lau- history. ing lore is littered, however, with faint memories of
derdale-based mother of three said before the season “I was just screaming when the (win) light came on rich kids who chose that path.
began. “Even after it started coming together I was and I just put my head down,” Morrell said later. “I’m Instead, DeJoria has taken the more time-honored
still in shock, still in doubt it was really happening.” just so pumped. I can’t believe this. I’ll probably wake approach of beginning her driving career in the Su-
It was really happening alright. She qualified num- up tomorrow and just cry.” per Gas ranks, then advancing to a rear-engined
ber three at the first event in Houston and with only And just like Cinderella it was a fairy-tale ending. Super Comp dragster before moving up to her cur-
rent ride of record in the NHRA Top Alcohol Funny
Car class—and always with professional instruction
for each move forward. This past September, on the
heels of making her first Alcohol Funny Car final-
round appearance in an NHRA national event, De-
Joria took her next step up the ladder, upgrading her
NHRA competition license in just one day to nitro
status under the watchful eyes and tutelage of Del
Worsham and his father, Chuck, at the Texas Motor-
plex, near Dallas.
A couple of months later DeJoria confirmed she
will continue her slow and steady approach to going
faster, announcing plans to join Kalitta Motorsports
in 2011, initially as a part-time teammate to nitro
Funny Car pilot Jeff Arend, but hopefully on a full-
time basis in the future.
CATHY
With a 187-mph qualifying pass to her credit, Cathy Belcher is the ADRL’s “It has been a dream of mine to compete in Fuel
fastest woman. A former Super Chevy Show Nitro Coupe competitor, Funny Car and with support from The Patron Spir-
Belcher has been running a part-time ADRL Pro Extreme campaign the its Company (also founded by her father) and Kalitta
BELCHER
last couple of years, but for 2011 may move her screw-blown 1990 Ca- Motorsports I will be transitioning from my current
maro over to the Extreme 10.5 class. The next generation of racing Belcher Top Alcohol Funny Car to fuel,” she said. “We haven’t
women is ready to take to the track, too, as granddaughter Madyson re- finalized all the details, but I want to begin the year
cently turned 8 and is already in line for a new Jr. Dragster ride. in my alcohol car and then move to fuel toward the
end of the season.”
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10 IN DRAG RACING
NICOLE LYONS
ASHLEY FORCE-HOOD
A
ny driver who wins the second of back- beating her famous father in the final round, and in
to-back U.S. Nationals titles, regardless 2009 she enjoyed her first multi-win season, strik-
of the class they compete in, is going to be ing twice, at Houston and of course, “The Big Go” at
worthy of “hottest” status consideration at Indianapolis.
the end of the year. When it’s a woman and it’s the
C
Force-Hood’s second Indy win turned out to rep-
alifornia’s Nicole Lyons has been star-studded and hyper-competitive Nitro Funny Car resent her lone visit to victory lane in 2010, but she
working on race cars since she was seven- class you’re talking about, it’s probably safe to add demonstrated impressive consistency by qualifying
years old and made her first passes in a “historic” to the mix. for all 23 national events, including six number-one
900-horsepower street car even before be- Ashley Force-Hood is no stranger to making his- starts. Though nothing official was released by the
ing legally permitted to drive. She’s been tearing up tory. As the daughter of 15-time NHRA Funny Car end of the 2010 NHRA season, rampant rumors sug-
the West Coast Top Sportsman scene lately with her World Champion John Force, her professional rac- gest Force-Hood may opt out of racing for at least
all-motor ’99 Monte Carlo and made her East Coast ing career has always been in the limelight, begin- the next couple of years to jumpstart a family with
debut in October at the famed Real World Street Na- ning with a very public learning curve as a Funny Car husband and John Force Racing crewmember Danny
tionals in Orlando. Her big break may come in 2011, rookie in 2007 along the way to earning the NHRA’s Hood, possibly paving the way for sister Courtney to
however, as Lyons has been busy testing a nitrous- Road to the Future award. The following season at become the next nitro-burning rookie for the JFR
boosted ’68 Camaro with an eye toward joining the Atlanta Dragway she became the first female ever juggernaut.
prestigious NHRA GSA Pro Mod tour. to score a Nitro Funny Car national event title after
ANGIE SMITH
Since starting racing in 2000, NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Angie Smith
enjoyed her best season so far in 2010, but it looks like she’s ready to move on to
certainly bigger, if not better, things.
Recently married to fellow NHRA rider Matt Smith and with a new ride aboard
Karl and Kim Klement’s Buell lined up, the former Miss McBride entered 2010 on
a high note. She put in a good year’s effort, too, qualifying for 16 of 17 races entered
in her first full tour of the series, reaching three semi-finals, making career-best
laps of 6.95 seconds and 190.19 mph, and wrapping up with a 12th-place points
finish. She even exacted a little revenge on her new husband with a first-round win
over him at the last race of the year after coming up short in two prior showdowns
against him. Smith also made her ADRL Pro Extreme Motorcycle debut at that
series’ final event in 2010, but failed to qualify.
Her two-wheeled racing days may be over, however, as she announced in Novem-
ber that she would soon start testing in a Bob Yonke-owned NHRA Pro Stock car.
“We’re just adding two wheels and I am both nervous and excited. I really want
to do well and I know I’m facing a really big learning curve,” Smith told Comprti-
tionPlus.com. “It’s going to be a lot different for me, but I am up for the challenge.
I am beyond excited about it.”
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10 IN DRAG RACING
MELANIE
TROXEL
W
hen Melanie Troxel
steered her In-N-Out
Burger ‘67 Camaro Pro
Mod across the finish
line at Charlotte’s Z-Max Dragway,
she became the first woman ever
to win an NHRA national event in
four separate classes, having pre-
viously prevailed in Top Alcohol
Dragster, Nitro Funny Car and Top
Fuel. She is one of only 14 drivers
able to claim victories in both of
NHRA’s premier classes and the
only female driver ever to win a
major sanctioning body’s Pro Mod
event title.
“The coolest thing about the Pro
Mod win is that I’m not entirely
sure if I’ll be driving Pro Mod again
next year so if it didn’t happen in
Charlotte or Vegas, it might not
have happened at all,” Troxel said
after her most recent record-setting
performance. “The plan right now
is to run Funny Car full time in 2011
and the thinking is I’d like to give
that 100 percent of my focus.”
MICHELLE WILSON
DINA
Long Island, New York’s Dina Parise has been
racing only since 2006, but with her military-
themed, supercharged ’63 Corvette she’s already
become a force to be reckoned with in the North-
PARISE
east Outlaw Pro Mod Association (NEOPMA). She
opened 2010 with a career-first win in the NEOP-
MA event at Richmond, Virginia, in May and
reached the final round again two months later
at Reading, Pennsylvania, sending her to the next
stop on the NEOPMA trail second in points. A
wall-slapping accident at Budds Creek, Maryland,
however, put her car out of commission for several
weeks “and I can’t stop thinking about what might
have been,” she admits.
Racing alongside her husband, Andrew, in his
own fighter plane-inspired ’53 Vette, Parise also
made her ADRL debut in 2010 at Richmond, as
well as entered several NHRA Division I events
that made the husband-and-wife team eligible to
race in three NHRA Get Screened America Pro
T
Mod national events and Andrew won the NHRA he darling of ADRL Extreme 10.5 (XTF)
Unleashed event at Columbus, Ohio, after defeat- competition quite literally from its inception,
ing his wife in the semi-finals. Michelle Wilson remains the only woman
For 2011, Parise hopes Pro Mod legend Scot- ever to qualify number one in the class or
ty Cannon will return in the consultation role he reach an XTF final. She plans a return to action in
filled for crew chief Dave Jordan during much of 2011, but the Azle, Texas-based brunette also is con-
the second half of their 2010 season so they can sidering a step up to the Pro Nitrous category. “With
focus on the NHRA GSA series. The Parises also the numbers they’re running now in Extreme 10.5
actively promote “Racing for a Cure” for the Na- you could actually be competitive with the same ETs
tional Multiple Sclerosis Society at each stop along in Pro Nitrous,” she reasons. “Plus you’ve got the big-
the way and created their “Vettes for Vets” program ger tire to work with and there’s a bigger purse avail-
in support of the Wounded Warriors Project. able. Either way, we’re gonna’ need a bigger motor;
we need more power.” Spoken like a true drag racer.
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CLOSE-UP
Larry Larson
Six-Second Road Trip PHOTOGRAPH BY KYLE LOFTIS
T
he morning of September 18th, Larry Larson woke up in a hard time settling for anything less than a six-second pass out of this
an eighty-dollar-a-night hotel room outside Hebron, Ohio, still thing.” He gazes through the windshield, and recognizes his exit on the
tired from the days prior, but ready for the final day of the 2010 horizon. “I’ve got a chance to do it, to be the first, but I’m not the only one.
HOT ROD Drag Week. Having already covered nearly 1,000 I’ve been patient, trying to let it come to me and not force it. If it’s going
miles in his ’66 Nova traversing to and fro drag strips five-stop tour, two- to happen, today is the day.”
time champ Larson appeared to have already locked up his rightful place In what was expected to be his final attempt, Larson marched down
in hot rodding history with a 7.01-second effort in Indianapolis, a 7.15 at the quarter-mile in Columbus, Ohio in 7.005-seconds at well over
Michigan’s Milan Dragway, followed up by a 7.11 in Pennsylvania, estab- 200mph. He was close. With only 10 minutes to spare before the nine
lishing a 7.10 average over the first four days. Nobody would have blamed o’clock cut-off, Larson drove the twin 88mm Precision Turbocharged
the man if he put the Nova on cruise control, did his best to avoid parts Mike Moran 598ci powered street car straight back to the staging lanes,
attrition and wrap up a three-peat in Drag Week’s Unlimited category. packed the parachutes, made some tune up changes on his laptop, zipped
Driving through the rain en route to National Trail Raceway, Larson up his fire suit and headed for shallow water. It was now or never. And
pulls fifth gear on the CS2 Lenco 5-Speed, and makes it clear that he’s not 6.956-seconds later, at a blistering 209.10 mph, history was made. It’s
taking it easy: “Of course, I’d like to win this deal, but I’m going to have official; Larry Larson has the fastest street car in America. – Wes Buck
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HARDCORE
What’s in a word, you say? When it comes to fast doorslammer

racing, one word says it all: Orlando By Ian Tocher
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN FORE III, IAN TOCHER,
ONE WORD: O
& JAMES G. PAUL
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F
or so many, that single word carries as
much weight, magic and meaning as Daytona or
Indianapolis does to their stock car and open-
wheeled brethren. Winning the Real World Street
Nationals (WSN) at Orlando Speed World Dragway pro-
vides demonstrable proof of having beaten the very best of
the best. It bestows life-long bragging rights and can make
up for a long season of late-night shop sessions, time spent
on the road, busted knuckles, broken dreams, and blown
engines or bank accounts.
“We would not eat before we wouldn’t come to Orlando,”
Jeff Miller, a 1999 WSN winner and now crew chief on
Steve King’s Super Pro Street entry, declared with a laugh.
“It’s terrible to say, but it’s true. We will always come.”
It may not be the biggest or the fanciest or the richest,
but the Real World Street Nationals certainly is the most
prestigious for “street-legal” racers to walk away from as
winners. Just being able to say, “I won Orlando,” carries a
lot of weight in the right company. Orlando can offer re-
demption to those who need it and validation to those who
don’t.
“It seems like only yesterday that we did the first one,”
track operator and race promoter Carl Weisinger recalled.
“You know, we only had 43 cars at that first one and about
1,100 people, but you could sense the magic even back then
and you can still feel it today.”
Eighteen years later Weisinger suggests several factors
contribute to the event’s long-term success and continued
popularity among racers. He cites a payout structure that
includes every single qualifier in each of five classes, the
opportunity to compare against the best teams of their type
anywhere in the world, wild on-track action, and the au-
tumnal attraction of central Florida and its many tourist
destinations to much of the rest of the country.
But above all else, he believes it’s because it’s fun.
“I know from my own personal experience, if I go to a
race track and have fun I want to go back. Even if I lost in
the first round or didn’t qualify or blew the motor, it didn’t
matter as long as I had a good time overall because that’s
what it’s really about out here, enjoying our recreation of
choice. And I know it’s become an annual ritual for many
of our fans and competitors. It’s almost as much a reunion
each year as it is a race.”
The description seems tailor-made for Wayne Smozanek, a
WSN participant each year since its inception.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” stated the Jupiter, Florida racer,
who this year fielded entries in both Heavy Street and Su-
per Pro Street. “Carl puts together an event here that hon-
JUST A JACKET estly is the most competitive outlaw race in the world. Peo-
A new jacket; that’s all Dale Collins Jr. was
hoping for when he arrived at Orlando Speed ple come from all around the country, Canada and overseas
World Dragway. “My goal this year was just just to race here and they come to win. I mean, they’re not
to qualify in the top 10 and win a jacket,” the coming here with slow cars or just to show off. They could
Frankford, DE-based racer said after beating
Tim Lynch for ultimate bragging rights from do that at home for a whole lot cheaper. And if you want to
the Outlaw 10.5 final. “This is a lot better,” he compare yourself against the best, you have to race against
beamed, holding his WSN trophy high. Collins the best and that’s what shows up here year after year and
got his jacket with an eighth-place start in his
turbocharged ’02 Camaro and made a solo that’s why I do the same.”
run in the final when Lynch was left stranded Smozanek recognized the car count was down a little
on the line with engine trouble in his twin-
turboed 2010 Corvette. “I kept waiting for him
in most classes this time around, but attributed it to a still-
to come on by and it never happened. Then I struggling economy.
saw my win light come on and that’s when the “I’m sure it didn’t have anything to do with Carl or the
ORLANDO
celebration started,” Collins said.
race, but because it’s just so expensive to run these cars at
these kinds of speeds,” he said. “You can see the gate did
not change, the place is packed and I’m sure that once the
economy gets better again the car count will go up again,
too. I’ve seen this happen before and this race does not lose
its popularity.”
Miller is another of the ritual keepers, visiting Orlando
from his home in Virginia each fall since 1997, with no in-
tention of stopping.
“We got into this kind of racing in 1995 and the first year
we came to Orlando we were just blown away and decided
right then that we wanted to come back. It’s like a big party
with fast race cars,” he said. “If Carl has the race, we’ll be
here. It’s Orlando; how could we not be?”
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WSN @ ORLANDO
IMPORT-ANT ADDITION
New this year as an official class for the
Real World Street Nationals was Extreme
Import, in which Puerto Rico’s Raul
Reyes Buozo spoiled a perfect weekend
for Jupiter, FL’s Damon Chin in the final
round. Chin’s turbocharged, 172-cubic-
inch, 2JZ-powered ‘06 Celica was the
dominant car, qualifying on top with a
weekend low ET 7.01 pass and exceeding
200 mph for a class first at Orlando,
but tire shake eventually did him in as
Buozo’s high-winding ’94 Mazda laid
down a winning 7.45 at 186.10-mph pass.
With 24 cars showing up to qualify for the
planned eight-car Extreme Import field,
Orlando organizer Carl Weisinger added
an impromptu eight-car “consolation”
field for raceday, won by local racer
Miguel Ortiz in his ’81 Mazda.
WEINER WINS!
Realistically, Gene “Weiner” Kerr never expected to win the premier Super Pro
Street class at the 18th annual World Street Nationals at Orlando Speed World
Dragway. “We only brought enough nitrous bottles to make a few time runs and
maybe one round of eliminations,” Kerr admitted. “So when we started going
rounds we had to borrow more bottles from Tony Christian.” But after qualifying
his ’88 IROC Camaro 22nd in the 32-car field, Kerr, of nearby Winter Garden,
FL, ran a string of consistent 7.0s to the final, where he met number-five starter
Halver Hansen Jr., whose engine stumbled at the most inopportune moment as
Kerr left with a .031 light and a .299 head start that allowed his 7.01 at 195.42
package to hold off a much quicker and faster 6.81 at 210.21 by Hansen. “(Chassis
specialist) Hank Hill told me this morning that we had a consistent car and that’s
what it was going to take to win this thing,” Kerr said. “And he was right.”
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PLACE YOUR BETS

Almost as feverish as the action on
the track was the action in the stands
during the Real World Street Nationals.
CHRISTIAN CRASHES
Despite crashing his 2005 Grand Am at the top
end of a winning pass over Dwayne Wolfe in
the Super Pro Street quarter-finals, number-
one qualifier Tony Christian was back at the
starting line watching the next pair even before
his damaged car had even been unloaded at
his pit. “I’m okay. My back hurts a little, but
that’s all,” the three-time Real World Street
Nationals winner said. “What hurts more is this
was my race to win.” Christian later discovered
all the bolts sheared off his engine’s flywheel,
momentarily seizing the transmission and in
turn the car’s rear wheels to send him into an
uncontrolled slide across the track to hit the
left wall. The night before Christian announced
the 18th annual Real World Street Nationals
“probably” would be his last race as a driver.
“I’m tired. Well, not tired, but I’m getting old and
I can’t keep working on this by myself,” he said.
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WSN @ ORLANDO
PICTURE THIS
There was no shortage of lensmen (and
women) focused on the action at Orlando
Speed World Dragway.
CLEAN SWEEP
Canterbury, CT’s Sam Gottier picked up a $1,000 bonus for running
the table in Heavy Street at the Real World Street Nationals. Fresh
DRAG RADIAL DREAMER off a Shakedown at E-Town win earlier in the month, his fire-engine
Mel Nelson talked about driving up his North Fort Myers, FL, home every October to sit and watch the Real red ‘71 Chevelle qualified number one, set low ET for the class in
World Street Nationals, dreaming of the day he too would tackle the Orlando Speed World Dragway quarter the final round and won the event in going-away fashion with a
mile. Finally, he took the plunge in 2009 and lo and behold, finished runner-up to David Hance in the Drag 7.09 pass at 190.59 mph over third-place qualifier Mike Schmidt
Radial division. He was back this year and finished one position better after putting his ’02 Camaro on the DR and his ’02 Camaro. “It’s a bad son of a gun,” Gottier said of the
pole with low ET for the class. A 7.66 run at 207.37 mph easily overcame a holeshot by fellow Floridian Kenny classic Chevy that he’s owned since high school nearly 20 years
Markwich in the final and made Nelson’s dream of becoming an Orlando champion a reality. “This race, it’s up ago. “We didn’t have time to fix the motor after the Shakedown, so
there with the big ones for me,” Nelson said after capping off a three-race streak that included wins at the U.S. we were really, really conservative. I didn’t have to lean on it a lot
Street Nationals in Bradenton, FL, in September and at the Shakedown at E-Town earlier in October. today, but in the final you’ve got to step on it a little bit.”
FIERY FINISH
Driving the ex-Mike Moran, turbocharged ’99 Monte Carlo, Lexington, SC’s Ric Fleck found
the right guardwall near the 330-foot mark while looking to break into the 32-car Super
Pro Street field. “It shook a little right off the start, but then it settled down and I thought
it finally was going to make a good pass,” Fleck recalled. “But then it shook again and the
rear end came around on me before I knew it. It went up on its left side and I saw the other
car (Kenny Voss’ 2010 Camaro) crossing in front of me and was thinking, ‘Good, I’m going
to miss him,’ but it looks like we just caught the rear end of him on the left quarter and
I’m pretty sure that’s all that kept me from going over. It hit pretty hard and fell back on its
wheels, but then it started on fire and I had to get out. I was just hoping the (window) net
and door would open after it being up on its side because the right side was against the
wall. I don’t know how fast I got out, but I wasn’t wasting any time.”
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Kevin Swaney - Worlds Fastest N/A Pontiac Chris Carrico - VP Fuels Quick 32 Champion
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D.I. DROP IN
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710 Dragway Image is Everything Story & Photos by Van Abernethy
F
or those living in the southeast you’ve (and take the ap-
probably heard the dreadful stories attached propriate concealed
to outlaw track, 710 Dragway. Heck, there weapons class) I was
are some among us who have no doubt even somewhat disheart-
experienced more than just stories! Inno- ened that the place
cently named after the 710 Hwy on which it’s didn’t live up to its
located, this unsanctioned 1/8 mile in Rowland, wild west reputa-
NC has indeed had less than a glowing reputation tion. Only kidding, I
down through the years. couldn’t have been
In addition to factual accounts of artillery, more pleased. Not
knives and fists of fury, the track has also endured just a quiver full of
urban legends that suggest the facility might feathery talk, 710
have even been built over an Indian grave yard - Dragway is without
which explains the feelings of ill will toward men a doubt not the place
- especially when there’s a full moon rising. It’s it used to be.
been said that if you show up at 710 without a The positive turn-
decent weapon they’ll extend you one just to im- around is a direct in the past,” says track manager, Glenn Locklear,
prove your odds. result of new owners, Terry and Susan Jones. who came on board shortly after the Jones family
After hearing these alarming tales for years, I Ironically, Terry Jones’ father, Mekeithan Jones, acquired it in November 08.
was eventually penalized for delay of game for not is the original builder and proprietor of this facil- As far as the facility itself, the present day
visiting 710 Dragway sooner, and that for obvi- ity which opened in 1967. “We’re working hard to condition is the best it’s ever been. Immediately
ous reasons. When I finally did say my prayers get away from the bad name this track has had after the Jones family acquired the track, the im-
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provements were swift and included new lights,

scoreboards and landscape fencing. Along with
the tangible improvements came a feeling in the
air that’s, shall we say, more “harmonic” than it
used to be.
Standards of good behavior were put in place
where none existed before. Nowadays people
are even bringing their kids. Ironically, the track
hasn’t really had a significant rotation of clien-
tele. “It’s the same old crowd that’s always came,
they’ve just learned to behave themselves,” laughs
Locklear. Yes, there was resistance in the begin-
ning, but it eventually gave way to the compliant
surrender after a few guests were shown the door.
710 Dragway operates just once weekly, a
bracket program on Sunday afternoons. Among
its patriarch racers you’ll find 70 year old Jimmy
Jackson, who still competes weekly. Jackson is
widely regarded as the first person to ever make
a pass in a actual race car at 710 Dragway when
he drove his 1950 Anglia H/Gasser down the 1/5
mile strip in 1967. In those days 710 Dragway
was like most of the other facilities in the area;
very crude in construction with no Christmas
tree, scoreboards or electronics of any kind.
Jackson remembers the hand drops and flag-
waving starts, while spotters declared a winner weekly at 710 says his doctor is rather impressed about to stop now. Much more is planned for this
at the finish line. A lot has changed at 710 over with his health at age 70. “He tells me whatev- facility in the near future, including concrete bar-
the years, including shortening the length to an er I’m doing to keep it up,” laughs Jackson. riers, additional lighting and a more powerful
1/8 mile sometime during the 1970’s. Jackson, Although the improvements at 710 Dragway public address system. The track has never been
who races his Don Ness ex-Pro Stock 81 Camaro are significantly noted, the Jones family isn’t sanctioned, but that too is being examined. In ad-
Repetition leads to...

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D.I. DROP IN worldmags
dition to its regular Pro and Footbrake races each Doorslammers, nitro Harleys as well as a nos- your organization,” says Locklear. To learn more
Sunday afternoon, 710 also holds the occasion- talgia dragster organization. “We’re open to the about 710 Dragway, including schedule, photos
al street car event. idea of booking a variety of new shows in 2011, so and contact information you may visit: www.
During the 2010 season, the facility also sched- I’d like to encourage those involved with racing race710dragstrip.com
uled appearances from the popular Top-8 series’ and clubs to contact us and tell us about
...Championships.
RAM Clutches are the choice of ADRL’s top teams. Ask 2010 Battle for the Belts champion and 2009
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RACE REPORT
RETURN / The Best & The Worst of the 2010 ADRL Battle for the Belts
By Wes Buck PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARK J. REBILAS, ROGER RICHARDS, & IAN TOCHER
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/ ROAD
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ADRL DALLAS
RETURN ROAD
W
hen the American Drag Racing BIGGEST WINNER
KIM MORRELL
League’s 2010 season came to a close on
Friday, October 22nd at the legendary
Texas Motorplex outside Dallas, it marked the
close of a year that had been marred by rain-
outs and postponements, but highlighted by
T
first-time winners, the arrival of multiple fresh hey say it’s better to be lucky than good, ing in no winner. In a classic David versus Goliath fi-
faces, and the continued presence of a slew of and while Morrell is no slouch on her Pro Ex- nal, Morrell would face Ashley Owens, who had only
fast doorslammer veterans. With nine of 10 treme Motorcycle, she provided living proof of lost once in 2010 and scored 8 event wins – including
scheduled events hindered by rain, though the theory in Ennis. Having qualified 3rd for the five in a row. Making her only full run of the day, Mor-
only four were washed out entirely, it had been BFTB field, Morrell got around Ron Procopio in the rell crossed the finish line first, well off the class pace
a year that racers fought to see through to opening round by way of red-light as she was forced to in 4.49-seconds, but well ahead of Owens, who had
completion. Despite a dreary forecast for Sat- shut her bike off early, then took advantage of a bye- problems right off the starting line. With the win she
urday’s festivities, Friday – the only day that run in the semis when both her potential opponents became the first female to win the Battle for the Belts.
really mattered to anyone – turned out to be left before the tree activated in the round prior result-
glorious, the autumn weather conditions in
Texas ripe for a day of championship-deciding
action on the outlaw eighth-mile.
The Speedtech ADRL Battle for the Belts at
the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals
VI provided the world with more than just new
world champions. All across the five profes-
sional categories and their respective nine-car
elimination ladders (including the runoff be-
tween the No. 7 and 8 qualifiers) racing careers
were being made and lost, separate storylines
unfolding with ever-twisting plots as the best
drivers in the business went to war on a vir-
tually lawless stage. As loud as the crowd was
on that fateful Friday night in October, you’d
have thought the Rangers, the local baseball
franchise, were going to the World Series. Oh,
yeah, they were.
Regardless, this year’s running of the ADRL’s
championship shootout delivered, bringing us
several entertaining scraps on the drag strip
for a ticket valued at fifty bucks, of which
you swiped 18 from your local IHOP for free.
Enough with the brooding, on to the biggest
winners, losers, and everything in between
from the 2010 ADRL Battle for the Belts.
BIGGEST LOSER
ASHLEY OWENS
I
t’s not often that the Pro Extreme Motor-
cycle category dominates the headlines, but when
you take into account the kind of season that
Ashley Owens had in 2010 and the performance
he consistently displayed, like that almost painful
4.02-second, 175.23mph blast in the second round of
BFTB action, the quickest pass in the history of the
class, it’s easy to see why his loss in the final round
came as one of the biggest surprise losses of the entire
year. If the ADRL has ever had an uncrowned cham-
pion, Owens, who did more winning that almost any-
one in any sanctioning body this season, definitely fits
the bill. The problem for the competition, though, is
that Owens, who team owner Paul Gast believes is the
best there is on two-wheels, will be back next year, and
likely won’t allow something like this to happen twice.
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ADRL DALLAS
MOST IMPRESSIVE
FRANKIE TAYLOR MOST
T
here was probably more combined driv-
ing and tuning talent on the Pro Extreme Battle
fortlessly plowed through his competition like he did,
dispatching first Gaylen Smith with a harrowing 3.65 HUMBLE
BURTON
for the Belts ladder than in any other category. at 199.64mph, then Quain Stott with a 3.64/208.59
Featuring some of the most storied racers in the combination before raining on Joshua Hernandez’s
history of outlaw doorslammer racing, not to mention parade in the final with a 3.62 at 209.98mph. Taylor
some of the most highly funded operations the sport was the man to beat from start to finish on Friday, just
has ever seen, it was sure to be one for the ages. To as he had been all year long.
AUXIER
think that Frankie “Mad Man” Taylor seemingly ef-
WORST TIMING
TODD TUTTEROW
T
odd Tutterow is nothing short of a leg-
end in fast doorslammer racing, having won
behind the wheel of almost every imaginable
race car with virtually every possible engine
T
combination. So, when he had mechanical problems o become the 2010 ADRL Pro Nitrous
on the burnout and was forced to shut off during his world champion, Burton Auxier had to beat
first-round matchup with teammate, Sheikh Khalid Randy Weatherford, Rickie Smith and Shan-
Al-Thani, it was not well received by the crowd in at- non Jenkins. Consider the fact that he failed to
tendance. Especially when Al-Thani also suffered me- qualify at the previous event in Norwalk, Ohio,
chanical issues and coasted to the win. it’s not too difficult to see why even Auxier him-
self was almost speechless after the win. Take a
look at the run sheets that show his dominat-
ing performance, though, including a 3.84 over
Weatherford and a 3.83 over No. 1 qualifier
Rickie Smith as well as the 3.89 in the final over
Jenkins, and it’s hard to believe Auxier wasn’t
an early favorite. Despite clearly being the best
that day, Auxier all but ran way from taking any
credit for the championship, pointing towards a
hard working team and the tutelage of runner-up
Shannon Jenkins as the reasons it was possible
for him to leave with the belt around his waist.
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BEST RACE MONTECALVO VS. BERNER

T
he Extreme Pro Stock final between
mountain motor magnates John Montecalvo
and Pete Berner, undeniably, was the fight of the
night. Montecalvo left first in the championship
round, going .061 to Berner’s .107-second light, and
held on to take the win as both drivers posted identi-
cal elapsed times at 4.071-seconds. In one of the most
evenly paired contests of the event, Montecalvo’s left-
foot did all the talking.
MOST MONUMENTAL MATCHUP

JENKINS
VS.
HALSEY
W
hen Jim Halsey’s
“Big Red Ma-
chine” Pro Nitrous
’68 Camaro and
Shannon “Iceman” Jenkins
roll through the water box
side-by-side, they’ve got
everyone’s attention. Their
semifinal round pairing,
in the eyes of many, repre-
sented the biggest drag race
of the day, the winner of
which would be a sure-bet
for the belt. Unfortunately,
Halsey left .001-seconds too
quick, but wouldn’t have
had enough on this occa-
sion for Jenkins’ 3.897-sec-
ond, 192.25mph with his
4.068/171.62 combination.
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ADRL DALLAS
MOST SURPRISING EARLY EXIT JASON SCRUGGS

F
or many, seeing perennial Pro Extreme
powerhouse Jason Scruggs lose in the runoff be-
tween the No. 7 and 8 qualifiers for the BFTB
was reason enough to pack up the cooler and
head home. One of only two people to win multiple
world championships in the ADRL and a record 15 ca-
reer number-one qualifying efforts, it’s highly unusual
to see Scruggs perusing the staging lanes on his golf
cart in the late rounds. Scruggs appeared to be loaded
for bear in that pivotal opening stanza against Quain
Stott, strapping an .019-light on Stott and pedaling
his world-famous red ’63 Corvette (well, a new one)
to a 3.92 at 193.43, but coming up short to his oppo-
nent’s 3.79/199.67 effort.
MOST FRUSTRATING
DEFEAT
BILLY GLIDDEN
P
erhaps the best ever when it comes to 10.5-inch
tire racing, Billy Glidden, had to be scratching
his head after this year’s Battle for the Belts. In
almost any other context, Glidden’s career-best
3.974-second, 183.52mph effort in the opening round
of the Extreme 10.5 Battle for the Belts, paired with a
.002-second reaction time, would have been enough
for victory. Alongside Dan Millen, however, it’s good
for nothing but getting your doors blown off. Millen
clipped Glidden, the winningest driver in XTF history,
by almost a tenth-and-a-half of a second and over 15
miles per hour.
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ADRL DALLAS
BIGGEST OUT-OF-NOWHERE WINNER DAN MILLEN

A
fter missing the first three races of the let alone win the damn thing. Millen came into stride 10.5 final. Millen’s screwcharged ‘Stang has leaned on
season and struggling to sort out a brand new at the right time, though, and rode a wave of momen- countless three-second passes over the course of the
car and engine combination throughout the tum that started in Rockingham during Dragstock last two months to secure the championship, and the
middle of the season, it would have been a VII and rode it all the way to the championship-de- No. 8 qualifying spot he started from.
stretch for Dan Millen to even break into the Top 8 ciding final round at the Texas Motorplex where he
points earners and qualify for the Battle for the Belts, bested number-one seed Gary White for the Extreme
BIGGEST ‘A FOR EFFORT’ MOMENT DOUG REISTERER

H
eading into the World Finals, Texas rac- the Pro Nitrous field today after a stunning perfor- runoff and faced Jim Halsey in the first round of the
ing hero Doug Reisterer was on the outside mance back in 2006, hadn’t had enough of a season in BFTB. And he came out of nowhere with an incredible
looking in. Despite winning the rain-delayed 2010 to qualify for the Battle for the Belts, but when 3.898-second effort, but it wasn’t enough to overcome
Dragstock VII in Norwalk a month prior, Reis- tragedy struck Charles Carpenter, forcing him to miss Halsey’s nearly identical performance coupled with a
terer, who is perhaps entirely responsible for the wave the event in Ennis, he moved into championship con- .022 reaction time. That’s what they call capitalizing
of purpose-built flyweight doorslammers that occupy tention. Reisterer then took out Steve Vick in the 7-8 on an opportunity.
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CLOSE-UP
Ronnie Davis
GETS the POINT By Ian Tocher
A
week before the final event of the year what I can do is dedicate this win and the champion- pulled the plug on all qualifying with only one Top
for the Southeast Division of the NHRA Lu- ship to your dad.’ Sportsman session in the books.
cas Oil Drag Racing Series, Ronnie Davis “So we parked the car, Jeff got Calvin on the phone and “Now, I’d had enough sense to still go across the
was racing his Top Sportsman ’63 Corvette I got to talk to him a little bit and let him know, ‘Big scales even though it shook, so I was in, but I didn’t
near Louisville, Kentucky, when a broken connecting Daddy, this one’s for you.’ Unfortunately, Calvin passed know what to dial,” Davis says. “Then they came around
rod put an unwelcome window in the side of his Gene away just a few days later.” and let us know they were going to give us one more
Fulton-built, 738 cubic-inch engine. It may be difficult to believe, but the season began time trial Sunday morning and they never, ever do that,
Sitting third in points with only a slim mathemati- for Davis with every bit as much adversity, drama and but that was alright; in fact, it was great for me.”
cal chance that required him winning at Silver Dollar pressure as accompanied its ending. After making the After finally getting some well-deserved sleep, Da-
Raceway to earn a second NHRA Division II champi- 545-mile, one-way trek in February to south-central vis got up Sunday morning and set about salvaging his
onship, the Suwanee, Georgia-based golf cart dealer Florida’s Bradenton Motorsports Park, Davis’ initial weekend.
admits to seriously considering cutting his losses and outing of 2010 lasted no more than 10 feet in a Thurs- “I had at least figured out what I wanted to try to do.
calling it a season. It was a fleeting thought, however, day-afternoon test session. I choked the car way down, put some weight on it up
and the wounded powerplant was promptly dispatched “The driveshaft came apart, ripped all the sheet front to keep the front end down, but this was all just
to Fulton’s South Carolina skunk works for major re- metal up, tore the frame apart where the loop was, strictly guessing because that’s not the way you race a
pairs. flipped the transmission around and pretty much de- car like that; you should be running it wide open on all
“It was bad,” Davis recalls, but Fulton’s crew came stroyed the car; a real mess,” Davis recalls. “The yoke four (nitrous) systems,” he explains of his Pro Mod car,
through and the motor was back in place within days, just came apart and caused mass destruction like I another Tommy Mauney-built ’63 Corvette. “But I’m
though no time was left for testing before he headed had never seen. Also, the U-joint came out and went running just one small system and I asked Carl Baker,
south a hundred miles or so from Atlanta to the Reyn- through my passenger door near the bottom of the win- an old Pro Stock racer, if he’d come out and watch my
olds, Georgia, strip. “There was a lot of pressure, but I dow and if it had come to the left instead of the right I burnout to make sure we had the wheelie bars set right.
thrive on pressure,” the man they call ‘The King’ states. might not be here right now or I would’ve at least been Well, he was kind enough to help us out, set them up
“I feel I’m at my best with a gun to my head.” mangled, there’s no doubt about it. That was a huge and I went 6.70 at 202 mile an hour to qualify third and
Davis delivered with a number-one qualifying force that went right through the door; I was blessed felt a whole lot better.”
6.53-seconds pass at 215.13 miles per hour that gave right there.” Davis made it down to four cars that day, running
him a first-round bye on the Silver Dollar quarter mile. Quickly realizing he could not fix the car on site, dead on his dial each round until losing to a holeshot
Points leader Billy Vaughn and second-place man Jeff Davis faced the prospects of staying and not racing or in the semi-finals. Still, he considers it a solid outing. “I
Pittman also advanced from the opening round, but a packing up and going home. His competitive nature was totally exhausted, but I got 60 points I never would
loss for Vaughn in round two left him with 304 points prevailed, however, and instead of going with either have had if I hadn’t gone home to get the other car and
for the year and Pittman fell next in round three, of the lesser choices, he and lone crewman Pete March little did I know how much they would pay off in the
stranding him at 295. loaded up and departed Thursday night to reach their long run,” he says.
A low-lying sun nearly cost Davis his chance in the Georgia race shop about five o’clock Friday morning— Considering the drama of the bookends to his season
semis as it shone straight on the starting tree, making just in time for a rare winter storm. and everything in between, Davis considers this cham-
it difficult for him to see the lights from the right lane “We slept until 8, got up and saw the snow was com- pionship his finest so far.
and causing his worst reaction time of the day. The con- ing,” Davis says. “We got my Pro Mod car that was just “This year is special to me because it started off bad;
sistency of his Corvette in running just six-thousandths sitting apart on the floor, got it running, set the chassis we certainly had our ups and downs in running two
of a second over a 6.83 dial-in saved the day, however, up and loaded everything back in the truck. We left just cars; I’ve got just one guy that races with me whereas
and set up a final-round match with Mississippi racer as the snow was really coming down and they were fix- most have three or four, so it’s very taxing on both of
Vince Hoda to determine the event winner and divi- ing to close the highways around Atlanta.” us; we had the motor break just a week before the last
sional class champion. Davis says it took three hours just to reach the south race and going in in third place to a very emotional-
After again dialing in at 6.83, Davis left with a nine- side of Atlanta, a trip of less than an hour on a good ly charged atmosphere and then winning by just one
thousandths advantage off the start, then ran right on day, “but I made it, called (recently retired NHRA Div. point; it just made for a very memorable and special
the number at 201.43 mph to beat Hoda and his 2000 II Director) Bill Holt, told him I would get back to the season to win over all that adversity,” he says.
Firebird. More importantly, the round win delivered track about four in the morning and he said he’d let The 60-year old is quick to stress, however, that he’s
the 11 marks Davis needed to edge Vaughn by a single them know at the gate. We got there about 4:30, the far from finished.
point for his seventh Top Sportsman crown, including guy said, ‘You must be Ronnie,’ and let me in.” “In my younger years I always just expected to win in
three IHRA world titles, two IHRA divisional champi- Meanwhile, Bradenton had suffered a deluge of rain everything I did. But I’m older now, I get a little tired,
onships, and this latest NHRA triumph to complement in Davis’ absence, leaving behind a sizable pond where get a little aggravated, and sometimes I tell myself, ‘You
his 2006 Div. II win. his pit stall had once been, so track workers moved him should put your priorities in different places.’ But then
On his way to victory lane Davis had to pass by Pittman, to a better, drier spot where he and March unloaded for it’s racing season again and I just have to get back out
who had so desperately tried to win it all for his ailing the second time in 48 hours. there.
father, Calvin. “But it was still windy, it was cold and all I’m thinking “I think one of my attributes is that I just never, ever
“Jeff had really wanted this championship for his dad about was this car is difficult to get down cold tracks,” give up. I’ve taught my children that same attitude; that
and when I was pulling back after the final we stopped Davis says. “I wasn’t trying to go fast anyway, but I was no matter what happens you can never quit. If you get
at his pit,” Davis says. “We’re very good friends and he’s right, the first run Saturday it hikes the front tires up, knocked down in life you get up and it’s the people who
even one of my sponsors with Race Performance Motor hits the wheelie bars and shakes.” keep getting up that win in the end. That’s my philoso-
Coach and I could see he was emotionally upset, but he Davis wasn’t the only one having problems, though. phy in life and kind of my philosophy in everything I
was still happy to see me win and I told him, ‘If I could Track conditions deteriorated so quickly and severely— do, from my business to my racing to my personal life.”
give you this championship, I would; but I can’t, but they’d had two or three wrecks—that NHRA officials Ronnie Davis. He gets the point.
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All trademarks, personal likenesses and the likeness of the no. 07 race car are used under license from their owners.
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Finish
at the Fairplex
NHRA brings them back to where it all started
to crown their 2010 champions. By Wes Buck
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARK J. REBILAS
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T
here may be detractors to the Countdown to the Championship, par-
ticularly those purists who believe the playoffs belong in stick-and-ball sports,
but a convincing argument that the format failed to provide high drama this
year would be hard to construct. In the largest motorsports sanctioning body’s Top Fuel,
Nitro Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle divisions, it took all 23 races to de-
cide a champion. Dominant teams and drivers had been established and several top-per-
formers ousted from contention, but the jury was still out on who would leave Southern
California with a solid gold Wally, a massive cardboard check, and a fancy leather jacket.
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Larry Dixon 2010 NHRA Top Fuel Champion
Changing of the Guard

Having endured Tony Schumacher’s reign atop the Top Fuel category, watching
said driver win six-straight championships, Larry Dixon, like many others in his
shoes had, could have dropped the ball. Through consistency and determination,
Dixon and the Al-Anabi Racing team led by Alan Johnson and crew chief Jason
McCulloch did exactly what they needed to do, exactly when they needed to do it.
When the car lagged in performance or failed, Dixon picked up the slack with a
good light or a pedal job. If Dixon was a little late at the tree, he took comfort in a
bad-fast hot rod that could come from behind and win. Though pushed by the com-
petition, particularly Schumacher and teammate Cory McClenathan, Dixon and
company maintained a firm grasp on their fate.
Dixon entered Pomona with what could easily have been considered an insur-
mountable lead. It’d have taken a first round loss for the Al-Anabi Racing driver
and a win coupled with a national record to do anything about it. Oh, but of course,
Tony Schumacher has done it before, and few people, especially those dressed in championship on the last pass of the season, so no one could blame Dixon for not
maroon at the Fairplex, would rule out him doing it again. Schumacher was mak- counting his chickens before they’d hatched.
ing the necessary moves, too. He qualified No. 1 over Dixon, recording top speed by Having clinched his third Top Fuel title, Dixon displayed the same calm, cool
over four miles per hour, and made the only pass in the 3.70s all weekend – which demeanor that’d served the team so well in 2010. Though a super power in the
would serve as a valid backup pass for the national record. world of drag racing, Dixon and the Al-Anabi Racing camp didn’t flaunt it. They
The Al-Anabi Racing group stayed true to form and snuffed out Schumacher’s simply went out and did what they set out to do – win the 2010 championship, and
hopes of yet another miracle moment at the Finals with a victory over Mike Stras- amass an unbelievable, undefeated 12-0 record in final rounds. If winning over half
burg in the opener. He’d done it twice before, Schumacher that is, winning the the races won’t put a check in the bank and a trophy on the mantle, nothing will.
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Finish at the Fairplex
John Force 2010 NHRA Funny Car Champion
One for the Ages

John Force is wound up. Seeing how that’s a near permanent state for the Yorba still relevant. Coming into the final stop of the NHRA’s 23-race tour, for the first
Linda, California resident, it’d be hard telling whether he’s happy, he’s sad, or he’s time in any of his championship years, Force trailed the points leader. Matt Hagan,
mad as hell. This particular instance, though, Force is fighting back tears, oozing a fresh face in the fuel coupe ranks, served as a game opponent and maintained a
emotion, talking a mile a minute, and tossing his hands in the air. Although, those 38-point lead on his Castrol-backed nemesis going into elimination rounds. On op-
aren’t necessarily cues that can be read as signs of happiness with this Funny Car posite sides of the ladder, Hagan had the opportunity to widen the gap with a first-
driver, and if you didn’t know better, may well be positive indication of an immi- round win. When longtime Force ally Bob Tasca III put his own spin on Hagan’s
nent ass kicking. Those who witnessed what could easily be referred to as an im- destiny, defeating him in the opening stanza, the door was opened for Force to put
mortalizing performance in Pomona know exactly what has the 61-year old at wide the racing world on its ear. And he did.
open throttle: defying all odds and coming from behind to win an unprecedented Force was relentless, taking out Gary Densham, Bob Bode, Melanie Troxel and
15th Funny Car championship. Jeff Arend en route to No. 15 in deciding fashion. He left on all but Arend, slower by
Force’s current and former competitors know him well. Since his first final round just two-thousandths of a second, and flat blowing all of their doors off. If a cham-
appearance in 1979 to his 213th at the NHRA Finals in Pomona this year, he has pionship performance could be defined, John Force did it this year.
taken on all comers and earned unbridled success. Though he’s surrounded himself Ask him and he’ll tell you it was something he felt he had to do. In order to
with the best talent money can buy, sat between the frame rails of a first-class race prove he could still deliver, could still sell product for his sponsors by giving them
car, and earned his reputation for being one of the best wheelmen in the business a winning driver. Perhaps when backed into a corner he was at his best, maybe the
– it’s his passion that’s taken him to this point. Racing is officially a business for fear of losing a longtime sponsor or disappointing his family or fans was enough
John Force and he’s never minced words when it comes to his feeling that he simply to make him put up such a fight. The truth, more than likely, is that Force had his
needs to win to keep his sponsors, but it’s safe to say that drawing a paycheck alone spark back. He’d brought in Mike Neff to help Bernie Fedderly and Austin Coil
wouldn’t have inspired the career-defining effort he put on in November of 2010. tune his car; he’d taken to the gym to get himself in the physical shape necessary to
At this point, the story has been told. On the internet, on television, even the perform, and maybe most importantly, realized this is something he still wants to
daily newspapers in America’s major markets have told the tale, but the details are do. Something he still loves.
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CHAMPION Congratulations to Greg Anderson on his fourth

NHRA Full Throttle National Championship—and
the Summit Racing Pro Stock team on their fifth
championship—from everyone at Summit Racing!
2010
Read more about Team Summit on Drag Race Central at SummitRacing.com

®
140 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d |
dragillustrated.com I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1
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Greg Anderson 2010 NHRA Pro Stock Champion
Back on Top
While it’d been interesting throughout the playoffs, especially when you consider
that easily eight of the 10 cars in championship contention had a legitimate shot
at winning, going into the final event of the season, Greg Anderson had all but
wrapped up his fourth Pro Stock crown. Once he qualified for the event, which he
did at No. 4, Anderson closed the door on defending champion, Mike Edwards,
much in the same fashion as he did the entire category when he won three straight
titles from 2003 to 2005.
Most repeat champions always point to their first as the most memorable, but
taking into account the struggle that Anderson and teammate Jason Line had faced
in competition, not to mention that of their team owner, Ken Black, who’d been
fighting to recover from a terrible stroke, it was easy for him to call his 2010 effort
his greatest.
Not surprisingly, the formula for Anderson’s success in 2010 wasn’t that varied
from that which had produced championships in the past. Hard work, a tried and
true approach, and a little bit of good fortune – a combination of things that virtu-
ally any champion from any sport relies upon.
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L.E. Tonglet 2010 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion
No One Expected the Unexpected

While Pro Stock Motorcycle isn’t a category that’s low on talented participants,
it’s a category that has seen a lot of somewhat one-sided affairs that had a certain
make of bike or certain team establish dominance, carry it throughout the season,
PHOTO BY NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER
and win the championship. There have been several close battles between well-
known riders that came down to the last few races over the years, but the overnight
sensation that is LE Tonglet has rarely been seen before.
Though in the hunt, Tonglet was hardly a favorite prior to the kick off of the
Countdown in Indy, but after he went the distance there, he’d definitely shown up
on his competition’s radars. In a quarterfinal round win over Steve Johnson, Ton-
glet became one of just three rookies to win an NHRA championship, joining the
elite company of Gary Scelzi and Frank Hawley. His age, still wet-behind-the-ears
at 20, made him the youngest champion in the history of the organization.
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RACE REPORT
Kickin’ it
Old School
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BY ROBERT SALTER
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROGER PEDERSEN
A
dam Sorokin and Leah Pruett-LeDuc secured 2010 NHRA Hot “Going into that round with (Murphy) my butt was puckered a little bit,” Sorokin
Rod Heritage Racing Series championships during a late October week- said. “I have a lot of respect for that team. I know what we have too though. We have
end at the California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of a good car and a good team.”
Southern California at the legendary Famoso Raceway. Pruett-LeDuc began the year with a win at the March Meet (also at Auto Club Fa-
Sorokin came into the event trailing Jim Murphy by just nine points in Nostalgia moso Raceway) and came into the weekend with a 47-point lead in Nostalgia Funny
Top Fuel and with a 17-point lead over Brad Thompson, who was third. Sorokin Car over Tim Boychuk. Pruett-LeDuc broke on her burnout in her first qualifying
qualified sixth in the 16-car field and matched up with Thompson in round two, attempt and had to rely on her second and final qualifying pass with 36 Funny Cars
taking the win and eliminating Thompson from the title chase. vying for a spot in the 16-car field. She clocked in at 5.88, 236.84, good for the 11th
Murphy qualified No. 1 at 5.80 and set up a winner-take-all semifinal round with spot right behind Boychuk in 10th.
Sorokin when he outran Troy Green in round two. With the championship on the Pruett-LeDuc then beat Dwayne Patton in round one and Mike Halstead in
line, Sorokin took the holeshot and never looked back, posting the quickest time of round two with a 5.89, 237.78 to lock up the Nostalgia Funny Car championship.
the event at 5.634, 252.03 for the win, the championship, and the coveted NHRA She then outran Claude Lavoie with an even quicker 5.82, 241.41 and will face Mark
Wally trophy. Hentges in the final in Pomona. Boychuk fell in round two to Lavoie.
“I’m really relieved,” Sorokin said. “This new car this year has just been incredible “Our year has come full circle,” Pruett-Leduc said. “We started out by winning the
from the start. We won the March Meet. It’s been now to four finals and the car has March Meet and it kicked off a really good season. Had a little bit of a rough patch.
just been great. I’m very appreciative to my team.” And then to wrap up the championship at Bakersfield at Famoso, it just makes ev-
Sorokin was to face off with 2009 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series cham- erything all come together. I’m extremely pumped. I’m still in awe of the champion-
pion Brett Harris when lightning, wind, and rain put an end to the day’s activities. ship. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
More rain fell Monday, and officials postponed the finals.
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Reviews
Racing
Outlaw Fuel
Altered Champ
Crowned
By Chris Graves
T
he 2010 Outlaw Fuel Altered
Points Championship came
down to the final race of the sea-
son at San Antonio Raceway between
David Purifoy’s “Thrill Factor” and
Nick Poloson’s “Sundown” altered. Pu-
rifoy clinced the Championship after
Poloson kicked the rods in the final
qualifying session, eliminating him
from the race and securing the Cham-
pionship for Purifoy and company.
Purifoy, with crew chief Bill Burns
and owner Herb Whisnant, notched
the team’s first OFAA win at Mo-Kan
Dragway and with their blown alcohol
BBC beat out all the big power Hemis
and nitro burners with consistency
and superior driving from Purifoy.
Purifoy ended Bobby Marriott’s three
year reign as OFAA Champion and it
was a well deserved title for the “Thrill
Factor” team from Texarkana, Texas.
The OFAA series crowned six differ-
ent winners in the eight race season
and had a record total of 26 teams earn
points in the 2010 season.
“Wow, what a season this has been!
God really blessed the ‘Thrill Factor’
team this year. I can hardly believe we
won a race, much less the Champion-
ship. I mean ‘we’ in every sense of the
word. Bill Burns makes this car run
fast and consistent without hurting
the motor. This without really saying
anything makes us all hold ourselves
at a higher standard. Ronnie Stewart
Jr. does everything and works harder
than any of us. Randy, J.R., and Jim-
my take care of the smaller yet equally
important things on the car and Herb
has allowed us all to live our dream. He
is one of the nicest people I know and
that makes this Championship even
more special. These guys always give
me a car completely ready to run. All I
BLACK MAGIC TEAM SCORES BLOWN FUEL POINTS TITLE do is hit the throttle and close my eyes!
The inaugural season for the Texas Blown Fuel Association went as Thank you to everyone in the OFAA
well as anyone could have hoped as the series completed six events
with two rain outs with thirteen teams earning points this season. for letting us come play with you and a
Leonard Ament and the “Black Magic” Blown 1948 Fiat team lead the special thanks to Bobby & Nancy Mar-
series with two wins and held off Chris Stouffer for the 2010 Texas
Blown Fuel Points Championship.
riott for making it all happen behind
the scenes,” said Purifoy.
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IHRA Division 9 Raiders

Invade Rockingham
By Van Abernethy
I
t’s no doubt one of the single big- while the wheels were seemingly com-
gest highlights to be enjoyed by the ing off Greer’s attempt to maintain
sportsman drag racer: The annual their lead. The only way for MIR to be
Bracket Finals event. With unwavering crowned champions was to simply win
persistence, competitors show up week both Top E.T. as well as Modified. Any-
after week at their local facility, earning thing less would hand the championship
points towards not only a high ranking to Greer Dragway.
finish at their local track, but also the In perhaps one of the greatest
chance to go to the annual Bracket Finals comebacks in Bracket Finals competi- Resident of Summerduck, VA, Steve Witherow repre-
sented team MIR at the Bracket Finals. No stranger to
and showcase their skills. Comprised of tion, MIR indeed emerged victorious the Rockingham facility, Witherow collected $25,000 in
13 different tracks throughout the Caro- as Bracket Finals Champions as Steve 1998 at “The Rock” after scoring big during a high dol-
linas, Virginia and Maryland, the Divi- Withrow won Top E.T. while Robert lar bracket race. Winning a Bracket Finals event, however,
proved more elusive. “It took me 20 years to win one of
sion 9 Raiders assembled themselves at Robertson won Modified. Clearly, the these,” says Steve. A better reaction time is what made
Rockingham Dragway in late October energy and excitement of the Bracket Fi- the difference for Witherow in the finals, putting his
for their end of the year finale. Nesbitt Race Engines, Racetech Dragster in the winner’s
nals sets this event apart from any other circle. Witherow has had a solid year at MIR, going to the
Approximately 450 entries participat- drag racing experience on the sports- finals a total of 23 times while driving not only his Top E.T.
ed in the four-day event, which also fea- man level. In short, it’s a giant family dragster, but also a Chevy Vega in Modified.
tured gambler’s races and various with unparalleled team spirit. That’s the
awards ranging from Best Engineered Bracket Finals.
to Best Appearing. More than anything,
though, the Bracket Finals rep-
resents a family-type fellow-
ship that reunites friendships
across geographical boundaries.
“I’m a people person, so for me
it’s all about the different array of
people who attend these events,”
explains IHRA announcer, Steve
LeTempt. “The folks from North-
east Dragway for example sat out
there and rooted for their team
for four solid days, from 8:00am
until I finally told them it was
time to go to bed.”
Camped out in one of the
suites directly over the announc-
er’s booth was the wild and cra-
zy bunch from Greer Dragway.
“Everytime a Greer driver
would pull to the line they’d
start stomping their feet, and
I thought the roof was going to
cave in,” told LeTempt. Greer, in
fact, had plenty to stomp about Robert Roberton is congratulated by Rockingham Dragway owner, A recent winner of the Raider E.T. Computech Challenge,
for much of the event. With Steve Earwood, moments after he won the Modified category at the 16 year old Hunter Hughes also collected the win dur-
only a single day of competition Bracket Finals. Robertson traditionally hasn’t enjoyed great luck at ing Rockingham’s Bracket Finals. Hughes placed 3rd in
Rockingham, usually making an early exit in past Bracket Finals event. points this year at Virginia Motorsports Park, as well as at
remaining, Greer was out to “I think the difference this year was because I had my wife Katrina with Richmond Dragway, where he collected multiple wins this
an enormous, seemingly insur- me and also our travel companions, Clyde and Debbie Richards,” com- season. Hughes sites a tire swap at Rockingham as the
mountable lead. Mathemati- mented an elated Robertson. A regular competitor at Maryland pivotal factor that helped him to the winner’s circle. After
International Raceway for the last 23 years, Robert also chases big spinning the tires excessively during Friday’s gamblers
cally, Maryland International money footbrake races from time to time. In addition to giving thanks race, Hughes found the bite he was looking for during the
Raceway had a long shot chance to Chuck Kirby (transmissions) and Larry Boswell (engines) Robertson main event. Motivational Tubing built Hughes’ dragster,
of catching them. On Sunday also dedicated this win to the memory of his father, Bayne Robertson, while dad Dennis Hughes assembled the assorted pieces
who passed away in March. for the power plant.
morning, MIR stepped up big,
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Trick or Treat: Halloween Classic at Firebird

By Brian Losness
T
here are some drag strips that are know for great performances, or for just whatever, other years there is a general theme involved. The racers themselves are
super luxury accommodations, and every track has special events to really draw encouraged to decorate their pit areas to become part of the theme of the event. However
the fans to it. Well when it comes to down home good old racing and just genuine this leads to another activity that goes on Saturday evening, when all racing comes to a
hospitality there is one track that seem to rise to the top of the discussion table, and that halt, all vehicle traffic stops and it is time for trailer trick or treating. That’s right kids get
is Firebird Raceway just out side of Boise, Idaho in the bedroom community of Eagle. dressed up and go trailer-to-trailer trick or treating.
Firebird has been owned and operated by Bill New and his With six hundred cars at the event, there were many sight-
family since its inception back in the early 1970’s when it was ings of king sized pillow cases full of candy. One competi-
just a stretch of pavement between two hills. Now it has be- tor even said, “ We never have to buy candy for Halloween at
come a destination track for many different types of drag rac- home, we just use what we get from here and re-gift it. My
ing. One of the biggest events held annually is the Halloween kid came back with nearly fifteen pounds of it from last year.”
Classic. For the past seventeen years the News have produced The spread in Top Gun Open Wheel went from 6.88 sec-
the Halloween Classic. They took the inspiration from Bill onds by Paul Snell from Utah to a respectable 7.59 by Sean
Bader at Norwalk then added a little of this and that to come Page in his Pontiac powered dragster. The finals came down
up with their own version. to Shane Molinari in the Fig Speed/B&M Converters drag-
This race is built around one thing: Fun. There are a pleth- ster and the local favorite and many time national event win-
ora of classes in which to compete. It isn’t uncommon for one ner, Dick VanDerMeer, in his Heavy Duty RV Sales dragster.
racer to be running in two, or three different classes in the This one was over before it started as Molinari pushed the
same car. Let alone if you have a Super Pro and a Pro car you tree and went -015 red handing the win over to VanderMeer.
could really have your hands full. This is good, though, as it He would meet the winner of the Top Gun Full Body for the
gives racers lots of chances and huge fields. There were 128 big money.
cars in the Super Pro, Pro, and Bracketeer classes this year, This class was led in qualifying by Bob Isrealson in his ‘63
with nearly 600 cars total. The pits were packed with racers represented 12 western Split Windowed Corvette running 7.21 followed closely by Doug Watts in his GTO with
States and three Canadian Provinces. the same elapsed time, but was slower by five miles per hour. The finals boiled down to
The premier classes at the Halloween Classic are the Top Gun Open Wheel and Full Mark Tyacke in his Chevy Beretta, and Jake Neibauer in his own Split Window. Tyacke
Body categories. This is a Top Dragster / Top Sportsman set up with the sixteen fastest was .030 at the light and ran right on his 8.21 dial to take the win over Neibauer was one
dragsters/roadsters and sixteen fastest door cars having to qualify just to battle it out for off his 7.61 dial, but was a tad behind on the tree with a .041 light.
the win in each class, then the two winners from each class run off for five large. Not a In the Top Gun Run off Tyacke was nearly perfect on the tree with a .004 light and ran
bad weekends worth of work. an 8.27 on a 8.21 dial to cover VanderMeer’s .087 light on one off 7.63 on a 7.62 dial, to
On the day of the event the entire track crew is dressed up costumes, some years it is take home the plaque and the big money.
MIR Holds 15th Annual World Cup

By Van Abernethy
W
hen Maryland Inter- uncorked a 6.57 at 227mph during an event causes its notoriety to constantly contests, 1,500 feet of vendors and a
national Raceway first informal test session on Friday. The run escalate. car show that alone attracted 317 en-
launched their Import vs. Do- stands as the quickest ever clocked by an Whether you’re into Fords, Chevys, tries at this year’s outing. The event
mestic World Cup event 15 years ago, outlaw drag radial car. Toyotas or Hondas, MIR’s World Cup also captured the interest of the US
nothing could have prepared them for When the event did officially get un- won’t leave you disappointed. “It’s a Army in 2009, who came on board as
the phenomenon that the event would derway, the records kept falling. Tom real treat for the fans because of the in- the title sponsor for the last two events.
eventually become. The original con- Kasper captured everyone’s attention credible diversity,” explains Miller. The “They’ve already committed to be back
cept was that of an authentic street car when he recorded a 6.35 at 228mph World Cup presents an action-packed next year as well,” says Miller. To learn
race, and the inaugural event indeed pass on Saturday. The run is widely rec- total of 11 classes, including 7 heads up more about Maryland International
consisted heavily of daily-driven street ognized as the second fastest outlaw categories, as well as two bracket and Raceway’s Import vs. Domestic World
machines. The import vs. domestic 10.5 pass in history. Other notable laps two index classes. Cup event, including schedule, rules
theme took off immediately, as MIR be- included Chris Miller’s incredible 8.37 Much more than just a drag race, and most recent winners you may visit:
came the recognized gathering place to at 180mph, which easily broke the Out- the World Cup also features burn-out www.importvsdomestic.com
see who had the baddest street-driven law Front Wheel Drive
hot rod around. Within a few years the world record. “Tradition-
landscape begin to change dramati- ally, racers run their per-
cally. Steadily, the event continued to sonal best times at this
evolved until it grew into the perfor- event because of the at-
mance powerhouse that it is today, often mospheric conditions,”
attracting 6 second, 220mph 10.5 cars. says MIR event director,
The race has grown so large, in fact, Jason Miller.
the event now has its own website for Although unseasonably
fans and participants to keep up with chilly at the 15th annual
the very anticipation of the event, as running of this event, it
well as the chest-beating smack talk didn’t stop 10,000 fans
all year round. Maryland International from pouring through the
Raceway typically holds well over 100 gate during the course of
events each race season, all of which the 2-day event. Racers
dwarf in comparison to the incredible traveled from all over the
Import vs. Domestic World Cup. United States and Canada
Car count for this event some- to compete. Practically
times soars to almost 700 entries, and every imaginable racing
the “who’s who” list of competitors gets series you could think of
longer and more impressive with each was represented at this
event. This year’s event, held Novem- event. The fan base seems
ber 6-7, was shifted into high gear be- to grow every year, while
fore it even started after David Wolfe the hype surrounding the
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168 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | dragillustrated.com
202-0884
I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1
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TOP 8
Pro Modified (Blown / Turbo)
1 Scott Cannon, Jr. 1 Brad Personett
5.738 Sec. (2008) 255.36 MPH (2010)
2 Mike Stawicki 2 Mike Stawicki
5.739 (‘10) 255.15 (‘10)
3 Tommy Gray 3 Scott Cannon, Jr.
5.795 (‘09) 252.71 (‘08)
4 Brad Personett 4 Tommy Gray
5.804 (‘10) 250.97 (‘09)
5 Jay Payne 5 Raymond Commisso
5.809 (‘10) 250.64 (‘10)
6 Raymond Commisso 6 Mike Moran
5.815 (‘10) 250.41 (‘09)
7 Rick Stivers 7 Von Smith
The Machine
If we’ve ever had a racer
5.823 (‘09) 249.95 (‘08) we could simply bank on
8 Roger Burgess 8 Jay Diedrich setting some records for
5.824 (‘10) 249.47 (‘10) us every calendar year, it’s
been Brad Personett. He
Tighter & Tighter knocked down a ridiculous
The NHRA’s brutal Pro
Stock eliminator has been Pro Modified (Nitrous) 5.804-second lap in his
twin-turbocharged ‘68
providing the closest Camaro at the Shakedown
quarter-mile competition in
1 Jim Halsey 1 Jim Halsey
at E-Town to go to No. 4 on
the world for decades, and
5.869 Sec. (2009) 243.99 MPH (2009)
our quarter-mile Pro Mod
surprisingly the number of 2 Burton Auxier 2 Mike Castellana list. Personett’s Big Stuff 3/
top-tier cars seems to be 5.898 (‘10) 241.84 (‘10) Precision Turbo Camaro
growing. Ron Krisher can be also remains at No. 1 on our
included in that category,
3 Mike Castellana 3 Rickie Smith
Top 8 speed chart.
moving up to No. 5 on our
5.906 (‘10) 241.63 (‘10)
list with a 211.43mph effort. 4 Troy Coughlin 4 Pat Musi
5.921 (‘10) 241.58 (‘10)
5 Dennis Radford 5 Burton Auxier
5.924 (‘09) 240.25 (‘10)
6 Pat Musi 6 Troy Coughlin
5.935 (‘10) 239.44 (‘10)
7 Rickie Smith 7 Dave Pierce
5.937 (‘10) 238.93 (‘10)
8 Fredy Scriba 8 Fredy Scriba
5.955 (‘10) 237.84 (‘09)
Pro Extreme (1/8th mile)
1 Frankie Taylor 1 Khalid Al Thani

3.596 Sec. (2010) 212.49 MPH (2010)
Oh So Close
2 Khalid Al Thani 2 Wes Johnston Doug Reisterer damn near
Making Gaines 3.637 (‘10) 211.69 (‘10) did it. Capitalizing on an
V. Gaines made the leap Purple Gorillaz 3 Joshua Hernandez 3 Todd Tutterow opportunity to race in the
and took his Pro Stock 11 of the 16 runs listed in our Nitrous Pro Mod 3.646 (‘10) 210.83 (‘10) ADRL Battle for the Belts
engine program in-house as an alternate, he poured
charts have come in 2010, but the same group of 4 Jason Scruggs 4 Frankie Taylor the coals to his trusty
for 2010 and while the team
struggled early, they more interchangeable names alongside the performance 3.657 (‘10) 210.64 (‘10) ‘68 Camaro and almost
than made up for it in a late statistics remain the same. Dave Pierce and his 5 Mick Snyder 5 Jason Scruggs squeaked by Jim Halsey
season charge. Gaines 3.669 (‘10) 209.56 (‘10) with a 3.898-second effort
had the horsepower to lay
Claremore, Oklahoma based Nitrous Pro Mod team in round one of Pro Nitrous
down an impressive 6.551 weren’t afraid to throw their hat in the ring with the 6 Gaylen Smith 6 Von Smith and almost broke into our
3.670 (‘10) 209.43 (‘10)
in qualifying for the NHRA big dogs at the Mac Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals and Top 8 - missing the cut by a
Finals in Pomona, putting 7 Wes Johnston 7 Jason Hamstra mere eight-thousandths of
him No. 2 on the Q-sheets
prove that they’re amongst the quickest and fastest a second.
3.672 (‘10) 209.10 (‘10)
and No. 7 on our Pro Stock nitrous cars in the country with an impressive 6.015
Top 8. 8 Alex Hossler 8 Joshua Hernandez
at 238.93mph. 3.677 (‘10) 208.17 (‘10)
Extreme 10.5 NHRA Pro Stock Pro Nitrous (1/8th mile)
1 Dan Millen 1 Mike Edwards 1 Greg Anderson 1 Shannon Jenkins 1 Jim Halsey
3.780 Sec. (2010) 6.509 Sec. (2009) 212.36 MPH (2009) 3.813 Sec. (2010) 198.99 MPH (2010)
2 Spiro Pappas 2 Greg Anderson 2 Ronnie Humphrey 2 Khalid Al-Balooshi 2 Pat Stoken
3.883 (‘10) 6.517 (‘09) 212.06 (‘09) 3.815 (‘09) 198.82 (‘10)
3 Chuck Ulsch 3 Jason Line 3 Mike Edwards 3 Jim Halsey 3 Shannon Jenkins
3.889 (‘10) 6.534 (‘09) 212.03 (‘09) 3.827 (‘09) 198.38 (‘10)
4 Gary White 4 Ronnie Humphrey 4 Jason Line 4 Burton Auxier 4 Burton Auxier
3.934 (‘10) 6.537 (‘09) 211.96 (‘09) 3.830 (‘10) 197.91 (‘10)
5 Todd Moyer 5 Allen Johnson 5 Ron Krisher 5 Rickie Smith 5 Khalid Al-Balooshi
3.968 (‘10) 6.549 (‘08) 211.43 (‘10) 3.856 (‘10) 196.42 (‘09) Make Way
Allen Johnson contended
6 Brad Brand Kurt Johnson Allen Johnson 6 Mike Castellana 6 Rickie Smith for the NHRA Pro Stock
3.969 (‘10) 6.549 (‘09) 211.43 (‘10) 3.861 (‘09) 195.00 (‘10) championship in 2010, due
7 Billy Glidden 7 V. Gaines 7 Warren Johnson 7 Pat Stoken 7 Mike Castellana largely in part to being a
3.991 (‘10) 6.551 (‘10) 211.26 (‘08) 3.873 (‘10) 194.24 (‘10) consistent top performer
in qualifying and race day.
8 Michael Neal 8 Jeg Coughlin, Jr. Larry Morgan 8 Stan Allen 8 Pat Musi Johnson and his father, Roy,
4.020 (‘09) 6.554 (‘09) 211.26 (‘09) 3.890 Sec. (‘10) 193.85 (‘10) have surely come across
some new horsepower as
ATTENTION READERS AND RACERS: If you’ve got a timeslip that calls for an adjustment to the Drag Illustrated Top 8, please send either a picture or scan of the time slip to they broke into our Top 8
wbuck@cableone.net. Or you can fax it to 660.665.1636 and we’ll give credit where it’s due right here on the pages of Drag Illustrated. While testing times are generally impressive for speed with a 211.43mph
and legit, Drag Illustrated reserves its Top 8 placement for elapsed times and speeds recorded during any organized drag racing event. effort to tie Krisher for fifth.
Updated 11/19/10
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The Stripe
DRAG ILLUSTRATED PHOTO of the MONTH
BEAUTIFUL DISASTER
170 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d |
No qu est i on i ng w he the r or not t his was a re al bad mome n t for NHRA
Nit ro F un n y Car co nte nde r, Tim W ilk e rson, b u t th e tran qu ility of th e
m ou n tai ns in t h e back ground some how manage to tame th e bu r n in g,
sm ok i ng, speedin g- t o- a- st op f ue l coup e in th e fore grou n d.
PHOTOG RA PH BY M A RK J. REBILAS
dragillustrated.com
AUTO C L UB R A C E W A Y A T P O M O N A
P OM ON A , C A L I F OR N IA
N OV E M B E R 1 2 T H , 2 0 1 0
I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1
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SMALL BLOCK
CHEVY FORGINGS
BUILT LIKE OUR BILLETS.
• 4340 Non-Twist Forging • Super Stock Configurations Available
• Aerodynamically Profiled Counterweights • Big Block or Small Block Snout
• Main and Rod Lightening Holes • Average Weight: 40-45 lbs.
• Scalloped Flange • 2.900”-4.000” Strokes
• Ion-Plasma Nitrided
winbergcrankshafts.com 303.783.2234
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JEG COUGHLIN JR.

Photograph by Steve Embling

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4 | Drag Illustrated | dragillustrated.com I s s u e 4 9 | Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1

102 | Daily Driver

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120 | When the Smoke Cleared

O N TH E C O VER Bob Glidden as photographed by Mark J. Rebilas in Indianapolis,

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