Drag Illustrated Issue 118, February 2017 | Page 6
DI118
“All the Track
Will Hold”
FEATURES
32 Questions Answered
The February announcement of the
inaugural Drag Illustrated World
Series of Pro Mod presented by One
Cure resulted in a flurry of questions
directed to the DI office. Editor-in-chief
and WSOPM promoter Wes Buck has
the answers to those questions.
By Nate Van Wagnen
42 Q&A: Alexis DeJoria
A series of unfortunate accidents and
resulting injuries kicked Funny Car
pilot Alexis DeJoria out of the seat at
the end of last season. After a challeng-
ing offseason, she’s back in the saddle of
the Tequila Patrón fuel coupe.
By Nate Van Wagnen
59 IHRA at Immokalee
The IHRA is relying on its legion of
sportsman racers this season as it
works to develop a professional series
for 2018. DI’s own Van Abernethy
was on hand at Florida’s Immokalee
Regional Raceway for the IHRA Sum-
mit Sportsman National Championship
season opener. By Van Abernethy
104
SPECIAL SECTION
84
84 The Hottest 2017
Our fifth annual look at drag racing’s
most talented, accomplished and prom-
ising women features personalities
from all corners of the sport, from the
FS1 broadcast booth to the cockpit of a
10,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster.
42
D I RT
40 A Bid Farewell
Racers for Christ president Larry Smiley
and his wife, Linda, have offered prayers
and comfort to members of the NHRA
community for 11 years. The duo is set
to retire at the end of the 2017 season.
CO LU MN
57 The Real Deal
PDRA Pro Extreme star Tommy
D’Aprile scored a big win at the PDRA
Southern Extreme Nationals, but he’s
learned that a successful weekend isn’t
always about success on the track.
CLOS E -U P
104 Back on a Buell
Drag bike veteran Angie Smith is back
on a familiar Buell as she and husband
Matt chase Wallys in NHRA Pro Stock
Motorcycle. By Nate Van Wagnen
ON THE COVER NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Megan Meyer as photographed by Rick Belden at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, F