Feedback , Friendly Notes , & Hate Mail

Make Drag Racing Great Again

Kudos to Wes Buck and the team at Drag Illustrated for doing more than their fair share to improve the motorsport we all love so much . Between the magazine and all the things you guys are doing on social media – especially the weekly live shows – it ’ s very cool to see a group spreading their infectious excitement and passion for drag racing the way you are .

Dave Travis , via the Internet

While I ’ d argue that drag racing is already great , which , yes , I know you ’ ve already covered / addressed , I do think what you guys are doing to shine a light on the great drag racing that takes place far away from the bright lights of the NHRA national event stage is worth commending . I know that I appreciate it , as do many of the racers that I share the pits with at unsanctioned or smaller drag strips on a near weekly basis . Keep up the good work !

Anthony Pier , via the Internet

Don ’ t let up with the “ racer self help ” on the Drag Illustrated weekly live chats with Wes Buck .

The Crew Chief

Issue

He said on the show that he ’ ll try not to do too much of it , but he needs to probably do more of it . A lot of us out here , especially grassroots racers , can use all the help we can get when it comes to self promotion , media relations and sponsorship seeking / keeping .

Izzy McDonald , via the Internet dragillustrated . com

Janis Father-Son Team is Still Pushing the Envelope

Good Ideas : Jim Head ’ s Innovative Soul

Richard Hogan : Maintenance Makes the Difference

In Tune : On Stage or on Track , Jon Salemi Pushes the Limits

Mike & Mike

Very rarely does Drag Illustrated disappoint when it comes to the men and women that go on the cover , but you did an especially great job with DI # 113 . Mike Janis and Mike Janis Jr . are long overdue for some major league publicity , and I have to say that it ’ s more than a little bit heartwarming to see them out front . There have been a lot of people come and go in Pro Modified drag racing , and Mike Janis has stood the test of time . He ’ s readily embraced technology and change , carried himself as a professional , and achieved incredible success on a multitude of levels . Not only that , but he runs a successful business away from the drag strip . For the last several years , he ’ s worked with his son to field a championshipcontending car in what has quickly become one of our sport ’ s most competitive categories . Honestly , I don ’ t think you could have found a better story .

Brian Rice , via the Internet

I don ’ t think there is anything I enjoy seeing more at the drag strip – outside of the actual racing – than Mike Janis Jr .’ s reaction when his dad scores a round win . That ’ s a fist pump that could knock the earth out of rotation ! Fact ! Daniel Newman , Atlanta

Corn-Fed

How about the one-and-only Larry Larson on the pages of Drag Illustrated ? I was beginning to think that another magazine had some sort of special contract with him that only allowed him to appear on their pages ! Good to see you guys give a little love to a hardcore drag racer with one of the biggest followings in the sport , and he hasn ’ t had to race Top Fuel or Funny Car to get it . Sure hope he makes his way back to Drag Week competition in the very near future .

John Huff , Austin

Hook Up Help

So cool to see John Force Racing ’ s Lanny Miglizzi in Drag Illustrated . I ’ ve been seeing this guy crawl all around , sometimes literally up-and-down the entire length of drag strips for a hundred years , and it ’ s nice to get the backstory on what drives him and what exactly he ’ s trying to accomplish . The fact that he ’ s incorporated a remote controlled car into his process is pretty amazing , too . I ’ m sure Traxxas loves that !

Jack Turner , via the Internet

Tobler Talks

Really enjoyed Brandon Mudd ’ s very casual and comfortable conversation with Rahn Tobler [“ Q & A : Rahn Tobler ”, DI 113 ]. He seems like a great guy , and I have to admit that it ’ s cool to think that someone who has dedicated his entire life to hot rodding can be as polished of a person as Tobler .

Todd Carroll , via the Internet

Local Boy Makes it Big

To see a young guy like Ty Tutterow on the pages of Drag Illustrated has to be very rewarding for his famous racing family , especially his parents Todd and Denise , but also very inspiring for a lot of youngsters in the racing community . It just goes to show you that working hard and being dedicated will most certainly pay off in the end . This young man clearly has a good head on his shoulders and will go a long way in the sport .

JoAnn Kelsey Cain , via the Internet

Dialed In

How freaking amazing is it to see weekend warrior bracket racer Jeff Russell featured as a two-page spread in Drag Illustrated ? I tip my cap to you guys for consistently featuring guys and gals that , honestly , likely would never be featured in any other big time magazine . It ’ s great to see that you don ’ t have to win a national event or set a record or race Pro Drag Radial Modified 275 Ultra Street Outlaw to get some ink spilled in your honor . Wes [ Buck ] says it all the time during his live feeds : Drag racing is hard . Beyond the adrenaline rush , which is considerable , rewards for the time and money invested into a drag racing career or hobby are few and far between . I bet you guys did a lot for a guy like Jeff Russell with this feature , and I hope you keep it up . I noticed a few too many NHRA crew chiefs in this most recent issue – just being honest – so please keep this little note in mind when you ’ re picking out stories for future issues . Those guys not only get a paycheck to do what they do , they get a good bit of press . Keep shining a light on the guys that are on the other side of the fence . We appreciate it .

David M . Boldt , via the Internet

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12 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 114