Luke Bogacki Can ’ t Stop Winning

BRUNO MASSEL JR . IS EVERYWHERE

KEVIN & IVEY BRANNON JOHN LABBOUS JR . SHAWN LANGDON JEFF BROOKS

Bogacki Belongs

No question that Luke Bogacki belongs on the cover of Drag Illustrated . There ’ s no question we all enjoy seeing the biggest names pro-level drag racing has to offer on the cover , but Luke is “ one of us ” - and it ’ s just about the ultimate shot in the arm for all the sportsman racing masses to know that a guy who isn ’ t terribly far removed from going rounds behind the wheel of a primer-black Chevy Vega can be on the cover of DI . Thanks for that .

Jeff Mitchell , via the Internet

[ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WES BUCK REPLIES : Not once , but twice ! And , hey , we completely agree ! Luke is not only an incredible ambassador for the sport of drag racing , but he ’ s one hell of a drag racer . We ’ re proud to have him on the cover .]

You nailed it ! Luke Bogacki on the cover of the Sportsman Special Issue is perfect !

Eric Curtis , via the Internet

Thoughts , Comments , Concerns ?

SEVENTH-ANNUAL SPORTSMAN SPECIAL ISSUE

Do you guys think that Larry Morgan can be an effective ADRL president ? Inquiring minds need ( want ) to know !

Anthony Jablonski , via the Internet

[ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WES BUCK REPLIES : Honestly , I think Larry Morgan can be effective in a lot of ways - especially as it pertains to racer relations , just simply being a no-bullshit kind of guy and being a lovable / likable / polarizing face of the organization . I think racers react well to that kind of attitude , and I don ’ t think there is or would be any doubt that Larry will put his racers above all else . I do have some concerns , though , but they don ’ t really relate to Morgan , more so my belief that the ADRL needs a clear-and-defined mission . The ADRL , originally , was created entirely to put Pro Mod cars - separated into two categories , Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme - front and center , and Kenny Nowling and company catered to those teams in a way that had never before been seen . It was fresh , new and , at least in my opinion , one of the best things ever to happen to drag racing . Pro Mod racing needed that type of representation . Nowling delivered in spades , and the racers responded . I ’ ll never forget rolling up on Rockingham Dragway in fall of 2006 for ADRL Dragstock III and seeing a sign out front that read “ Over 100 Pro Mods ”. What resonates the most with me from those early years was a clear mission and / or goal , which , I can ’ t say for certain , but appeared to be providing a safe , competitive environment and topbilling status for Pro Mod racers . The racers responded well , as did the fans , and the rest is history . We can certainly have a discussion about ADRL ’ s free ticket model , but the fact remains that they packed the house for a lot of years and put Pro Mod racing in front of thousands and thousands of fans , new and old . I think the centerpiece of that success was Nowling ’ s personal passion for Pro Mod racing , and I think that is what they newest version of the ADRL will need - for something , anything - if it ’ s going to succeed , and that ’ s with or without Larry Morgan . I believe we can all agree that Larry Morgan ’ s personal passion is Pro Stock racing , and maybe there ’ s something that can

happen with that , but I believe a defined goal and / or mission is a critical cog in the success of any business or endeavor . Right now , ADRL has a few different versions of Pro Mod , Top Fuel Harley , Top Alcohol Funny Car and a few sportsman classes , so they clearly aren ’ t totally lacking direction , but I think a centerpiece or focal point would be powerful and help build the brand in what is a pretty crowded marketplace . Getting super clear about what they ’ re trying to achieve , who their ideal customer is - both fan and racer , but specifically racer - will be very important as they move forward . I have some ideas on that , but that ’ s a conversation for another time . I wish Larry Morgan and the gang at ADRL nothing but the best as they move forward , which they are clearly very dedicated to doing . I have to say their resolve and willingness to forge ahead is impressive !]

Street and Race ?

Where do hardcore drag racing aficionados such as the team at Drag Illustrated stand on this trend of “ roll racing ”? Is this really becoming a thing ? Is it already a thing ? I have to admit , I can hardly stand the idea of roll racing , and have routinely made fun of this brand of straight-line racing since I first started seeing videos of it pop up on the internet - mainly illegal street races on interstates at 60-plus . Now it seems like there are multiple events that at least offer “ roll racing ” at some point during their show , and there are a few dedicated “ roll racing ” events at airports . Do you expect to see this continue ?

Morton Craig , via the Internet

[ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WES BUCK REPLIES : Honestly , Morton , I do think roll racing is officially “ a thing ”. These events have literally blown up across the country - almost all of them sell out of tech cards , almost all of which going to late model performance cars . While I completely understand and appreciate the notion that “ roll racing ” defies everything

drag racing stands for and is far less “ hardcore ” than what we ’ re all accustom to , I do believe it ’ s a great thing for car culture and racing in general . First and foremost , I do believe that it ’ s important drag racing has some sort of true entry level offering like this where a guy ( or gal ) can show up to an event and drive straight off the street and into competition - even if it ’ s only against his or herself . Many of these events are speed contests primarily and don ’ t have a side-by-side competition aspect , and I think that ’ s another great thing , honestly , as it gives people the opportunity to get their feet wet in a racing environment , focus on improving their driving ability , experience the thrill of going fast in a safe and controlled environment , and do so without the added complexity of a competitor in the opposing lane . I can name a few guys right now that have already graduated from “ roll racing ” their late model performance cars to a rear-engine dragster or purpose-built drag car - and that feels like victory to me . Also , I ’ ve had a couple guys that I have a lot of resect for that have been around drag racing for decades tell me that “ roll racing ” events of today remind them very much of drag racing in the ‘ 60s and ‘ 70s - somewhat lawless and carefree , with everyone more focused on making their best pass ever than anything else . I also like the fact that these are all events that have competitions competing merely for a trophy and bragging rights , and that ’ s a big positive , too . If there ’ s an airstrip event near you , Morton , or even a “ roll race ” at a drag strip - go check it out . You ’ ll be surprised .]

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