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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Mike Carpenter Design & Production Director 704.737.2299 mike @ dragillustrated. com
Ian Tocher Senior Editor 404.375.4895 ian @ 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