LETTER from the EDITOR
Every spring DRAG ILLUSTRAT- ED ’ s Hottest Women in Drag Racing special issue arrives in mailboxes and inboxes around the world to much anticipation , fanfare and controversy . To be honest , the expectation of pretty girls and fast cars piques the imagination of many and likely spurs the influx of phone calls and emails we receive this time of year , but this “ hottest issue ”, as it has come to be known , has never been about finding women that are merely willing to participate in risqué photo shoots and pose with race cars . It ’ s been about finding women that appear to have a lot of momentum heading into race season – on or off the track – and are positively impacting the sport of drag racing . In our eyes … that ’ s what makes them hot .
There ’ s no lack of stories about women in drag racing these days . The diversity that exists in our sport at all levels is well known and has been much publicized . For what it ’ s worth , I believe the real story in 2017 as it relates to women in drag racing isn ’ t that there are a slew of them participating at all levels – from Junior Dragster to Top Fuel – it ’ s that they ’ re kicking ass and taking names . I ’ m sure there is a knowledgeable stick-and-ball sports aficionado that could list off a slew of examples where women have been given an example to compete in male-dominated sports , but I have to believe there are impossibly few times where those women have outperformed their male opponents . That ’ s precisely what is happening in drag racing .
As the father of a young daughter , I can ’ t help but be encouraged when I see young women like Erica Enders and Leah Pritchett not only arriving on the “ big stage ”, but competing at a high level , winning , setting records and , at least in Erica ’ s case , absolutely dominating for an extended amount of time in NHRA Pro Stock – a class largely believed to be the most difficult in which to succeed of all drag racing eliminators . It ’ s amazing to think that not only have these young ladies been given an opportunity to participate , but they ’ ve taken that opportunity and ran with it . They ’ ve forced the masses to see them not only as women in a sport compiled almost entirely by men , but as worldclass race car drivers – nothing more , nothing less .
With so many examples of women who have used only their good looks and charm to rise to the top of their respective sport or industry , it ’ s infinitely refreshing to see young women like the ones on the following pages who are bound and determined to become well-known based as much on their ability behind the wheel or in the pits as anything else . Matter of fact , many of the young women we ’ ve worked with this year and in years past , all but refuse to lean on their femininity to separate themselves from the masses . We ’ ve always taken the approach with this particular issue that it certainly doesn ’ t hurt to be “ easy on the eyes ”, but it shouldn ’ t be the only thing .
Honestly , I give the same advice to every racer that comes to us looking to build their personal
Wesley R . Buck Editor-in-Chief
brand or grow their following in an effort to attract new sponsors or better serve their current partners – male or female – and that ’ s simply to be willing to tell your story . Let people in ; find a way to connect . If being a woman is part of your story , I believe you have to be willing to embrace it , and that ’ s what we try to encourage when dealing with the ladies featured in this 118 th issue of DRAG ILLUSTRATED . Don ’ t be afraid to do your hair and makeup just so that you can fit in with “ the guys ” at the drag strip ; be true to yourself and don ’ t be ashamed of it . If you want to wear pink , for instance , wear pink .
It ’ s not always easy to put yourself out there – especially if you ’ re a young lady trying to make a name for yourself and don ’ t want to be immediately labeled a hussy – but all of us have to realize that the people who do this ( allow the world to get to know them ) will be the ones who end up with a strong following and fanfare significant enough to attract and retain sponsors and marketing partners .
John Force is the biggest star in drag racing , and there ’ s no doubt that 16 world championships has played a critical role in his rise to stardom , but I believe it ’ s the story of growing up in a trailer park in Southern California , driving an over-the-road truck and struggling to make it to the next race – a story he has told time and time again over the years – that has endeared him to the masses . His ability behind the wheel has been icing on the cake of what was already an incredible , relatable and emotion-filled story . People love stories . If being a woman is part of your story , don ’ t be afraid to tell it .
I invite you to email me at wes @ dragillustrated . com and follow me at facebook . com / wbuck and wesbuckinc on Instagram .
Wesley R . Buck Editor-in-Chief wes @ dragillustrated . com
Scott Dorman Publisher 615.478.5275 scott @ dragillustrated . com
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS : Ainsley Jacobs , Bobby Bennett , Tommy D ’ Aprile , Lisa Collier , Brandon W . Mudd
PHOTO DEPARTMENT : John Fore III ( Senior Staff Photographer ), Paul Grant ( Senior Photographer ), Roger Richards , Ian Tocher , Van Abernethy , Mark J . Rebilas , Joe McHugh , Chris Graves , James Sisk , Jason Dunn , Ron Lewis , Gary Nastase , Rick Belden , Jason Sharp
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8 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 118