STREETCAR SUPERNATS

Doorslammer Racing ’ s Las Vegas Shootout Sets the Scoreboards on Fire

30 Under 30 Class of 2016

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30 Under 30

DRAG RACING ’ S MOST TALENTED , ACCOMPLISHED

& PROMISING YOUNG PEOPLE

Shane Westerfield Trevor Larson Jason Gardner Alex Laughlin Dan Ferguson Megan Meyer

Caleb Cox & MORE

SWEDISH INVASION

Top Alcohol Funny Car ’ s True World Champion

Jonnie Lindberg

It ’ s hard to believe Drag Illustrated could outdo itself in such spectacular fashion . The 2016 class , in my opinion , was very strong , and contained a surprising variety of young men and women from different segments of the drag racing world , while ( not surprisingly ) including a few big names . Well , this year ’ s class represents an even more diverse group of people – all of which seem to be more than deserving – and I just want to applaud your efforts . As Wes [ Buck ] has written extensively , highlighting these young men and women is so important . Bravo !

Larry Cirilo , via the Internet

Still waiting on a 60 Over 60 list . What ’ s the hold up ?

Bryon Manes , via the Internet

Thrilled to see so many truly deserving names as part of the 2017 Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 . I have to admit that last year I was a little bit disappointed . Felt like a few of those names were a stretch , if not blatant political moves . I ’ ve never seen you guys ( DI ) behave in that fashion , though , so I gave you the benefit of the doubt , and after seeing this year ’ s list , well , I think I made the right decision . These are all great young people , and confirm that you guys aren ’ t just trying to position yourself or bolster advertising sales through these selections .

Good work . Noel Rosales , via the Internet

I read through all 39 pages of your DI 30 Under 30 and can ’ t find a single thing to complain about . That feature is amongst the most thorough and substantial pieces I ’ ve seen on any topic in any magazine . It ’ s so refreshing to see such an obvious commitment to doing good work , especially during a time when everyone with a Facebook account likens themselves a journalist and / or photographer . Please don ’ t ’ change ! Also , hit me up if you do a 40 Over 40 list !

Donnell Dombroski , via the Internet

How much effort is put into seeing what kind of people these young men and women are away

from the drag strip ? Honestly , I ’ m just curious . I understand they are talented up and coming drag racers , but are they good people ?

Curtis Mickle , via the Internet

[ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WES BUCK REPLIES : You ’ d be surprised , Curtis . I can ’ t say that we exhaust every imaginable resource trying to get a completeand-total picture of the character of the young people comprising our annual DI 30 Under 30 , but we do our level best to make sure that we ’ re identifying truly good

people ; truly good ambassadors for the sport of drag racing . I hate to admit how many people that we ’ ve had nominated or either found interesting ourselves , and upon a quick Facebook search been 100-percent turned off based on the pictures they post and statements they make publicly . I ’ ve personally scratched people from the list over things like that . In closing , I have to admit that I ’ ve personally met all 60 of the young people we ’ ve highlighted over the last two years and I haven ’ t regretted a single one . Well , maybe one .]

So cool to see a Top Alcohol guy at the forefront of the DI 30 Under 30 class of 2016 . I can ’ t help but feel bad for those guys – especially guys like Jonnie – when I walk through

the pits of a NHRA national event and see them running around like chickens with their heads cut off to get the car serviced , normally pitted on grass , or on gravel , or in the mud – well-knowing their session might get canceled , or moved , or whatever else the NHRA might throw at them . Just doesn ’ t feel like those guys get the credit they deserve sometimes and little if any time in the spotlight . Someone young and marketable like Jonnie Lindberg definitely needs to be promoted , and I have to say that it ’ s kind of a nice reminder that there are young people out there

that are not only interested , but massively capable of going drag racing at a high level and succeeding . The kid does it all , too . He works on the car , tunes it , drives it and even drives the rig and whatever else is required . Just a nice feel good story if you ask me . Thank you for sharing . All the others were great , too .

Chuck Peres , via the Internet

How about a jet car driver in the 30 Under 30 !?!?! So great to see Sarah Edwards featured so prominently . I met this young lady at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park recently and could not have been more impressed with her outgoing personality and professional demeanor . She ’ s got a future in prolevel drag racing for sure .

Wally Greear , via the Internet

If I had to identify the single thing I like best about the DI 30 Under 30 it would easily be that these aren ’ t all kids that are dead set on driving a Top Fuel car , or being groomed to do so . These are kids that have a passion for drag racing , and they get their fix by not just driving the cars , but working on them and being around them . There are a lot of people that make their living in drag racing , but don ’ t drive race cars , and I think it ’ s important to reward the young people that are on that tract , too . Good work !

Efren Calvert , via the Internet

From NHRA Pro Stock to Street Outlaws and everything in between , the Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 hit the mark once again in 2016 . Absolutely unbelievable job . Please accept my sincerest thanks for celebrating drag racing ’ s next generation .

Orlando Dejohn , via the Internet

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