DI119
“ All the Track Will Hold”
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Just Getting Started
Canadian Pro Mod runner Eric Latino made a big splash with his upset firstround win over Steve“ Stevie Fast” Jackson and national-record 5.72 at the NHRA Gatornationals. According to Latino, that’ s only a preview of what he has in store for 2017. By Nate Van Wagnen
OSCR IV
Where can one find Radial vs. the World, X275, sportsman index racing, and even Pro Street Motorcycles at the same event? Look no further than promoter Tyler Crossnoe’ s Outlaw Street Car Reunion in Memphis. By Nate Van Wagnen
Force of Habit
As the most accomplished driver in NHRA Mello Yello Series history, 16- time Funny Car champion John Force has led his team of drivers to some incredible milestones, including the 2,500-round-win mark after Force’ s win at the NHRA Gatornationals. By Lee Montgomery
Lights Out 8
Captured through the lens of photographer Chris Sears and the words of several writers, our coverage of the eighth annual spectacle of smalltire racing that is Lights Out 8 puts a spotlight on numerous highlights from the infamous gathering of outlaw racing’ s best. By Drag Illustrated Staff
DEPARTMENTS
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COLUMN
8 Letter from the Editor 36
As new records are set seemingly every weekend, Editor-in-Chief Wes Buck wonders if too much emphasis is being placed on elapsed time, rather than being the first to the finish line.
DIRT
Tribute: Monte Smith
We pay our respects to prolific nitrous tuner Monte Smith, who recently died of a heart attack after over 35 years of service to dozens of tuning clients. By Ian Tocher
ON THE COVER Lights Out 8’ s Radial vs. the World champion“ Nova Joe” Albrecht as photographed by Jeremy Patterson at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Georgia.
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On the Road
Boiled turkey necks, Mardi Gras beads and No-Prep racing – those are just a few of the things Van Abernethy experienced while taking in Hub City Dragway’ s legendary Fat Tuesday event.
PHOTOS: RICK BELDEN, JAMES SISK, CHRIS SEARS
6 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 119