Top Picks

Have always been a fan of DRAG ILLUSTRATED’ s lists and best-of pieces. Curious why we haven’ t seen anything exploring the best tracks in the country, or maybe just a list of your personal favorites? I know we live in a world of over-the-top political correctness, so maybe it’ s too touchy of a subject- I’ m sure it’ d be hard to avoid someone being torqued if you didn’ t list their facility! Seriously, though, what’ s your favorite?

Jeff Lambert, via the Internet

[ FOUNDER AND EDITO- RIAL DIRECTOR WES BUCK REPLIES: Interestingly enough, I just touched on this during a recent episode of DRAG ILLUS- TRATED LIVE! While I always enjoy attending the slew of supernice drag strips across this great country like Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Summit Motorsports Park, Bandimere Speedway, zMAX Dragway and Bristol Dragway- to name a few- I think my favorite tracks to visit are a little more homely. Despite not having all the creature comforts or being as

nice-and-new as the aforementioned facilities, I typically enjoy myself the most at places like Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, Huntsville Dragway in Alabama, Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina, Byron Dragway in Illinois and many other places like that. I like going to drag strips that have character; places that have a spirit about them- an atmosphere. For whatever reason, I just think drag racing plays well at venues like that. Old Bridge Township Raceway, for instance, might be the coolest place in the world to watch drag racing- especially at the NHRA Summernationals. Of course, I have to give a plug to my friends at Bandimere Speedway in Denver- home of the DRAG ILLUSTRATED World Series of Pro Mod- which is likely the best-run drag racing facility on the planet.]

dragillustrated. com

Burnout Pix

I send across a note every year, but just wanted to let you guys know that I don’ t know anyone who doesn’ t absolutely love the Photo Annual. This year, though, introducing the burnout theme took an already great thing to an entirely new level. I don’ t know anything about photography, but I have to tip my cap to Jeremy Patterson for the cover shot of Alex Laughlin in the Gas Monkey Energy A / Fuel Dragster. Am I correct to assume

he was on the track when this photo was taken?

Derek Meyer, via the Internet

[ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NATE VAN WAGNEN REPLIES: That is correct, Derek.]

Gassers for the win! Quain Stott’ s“ Grand Illusion” coming out of the water box broadside with the window down and one slick hanging over the yellow line, well, might be my favorite photo of all time. Thank you so much for sharing this gem, and thank you to photographer Roger Richards for capturing this moment.

Erik Hogan, via the Internet

Would love to know a little bit more about the Deric Kramer burnout shot taken by Roger Richards on page 54 [“ 2017 Photo Annual”, DI # 129 ]. Was this when he won the NHRA Pro Stock burnout challenge? I have to admit that I love the Days of Thunder reference! Cesar Perkins, via the Internet

[ WES BUCK REPLIES: It was actually at the NHRA’ s second trip to Las Vegas Motor Speedway in late October that Kramer and company put together this whale of a Halloween costume / theme for their race team. According to a report on NHRA. com, Kramer came up with the idea when he saw a Mello Yello t-shirt for sale at Wal-Mart, which he bought. Apparently, that purchase was well-received at the drag strip and inspired him to go all-out and re-wrap his American Ethanol-sponsored Dodge in honor of hero driver Cole Trickle’ s legendary black NASCAR in the 1990 film Days of Thunder to celebrate Halloween at The Strip- a really popular deal amongst Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle teams( they started it). We actually labored over putting this photo or one very similar on the cover of the Photo Annual because we love it so much, but we ultimately decided that none of us would be able to sleep at night if we put an ode to stock car racing out front.]

I don’ t think anyone asked, but, hey, I’ m going to tell you- that shot

on page 74 of the fourth-generation Camaro rolling out of the water box with all the fans, all the people plugging their ears is freaking awesome. I know it’ s not nitro or a vintage fuel burner, but it sure seems to me this photo perfectly captures all of drag racing’ s awesomeness. Dustin Crawford, via the Internet

Rookie of the Year

While I find it somewhat laughable to refer to“ Stevie Fast” Jackson as a rookie, I have to admit that he is undeniably deserving of the title and, personally, I am thrilled he was awarded it by the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series / Real Pro Mod Association [“ Rookie No More”, DI # 128 ]. His performance this past year in Pro Mod was impressive, to say the least. What does two wins, multiple jaw-dropping performances and a third-place finish in the championship points in your first season in a class mean? I’ d say it means he’ ll be ordering a set of No. 1 decals in the very near future. What say you?

Brett Webb, via the Internet

[ WES BUCK REPLIES: We can’ t argue, Brett. There’ s no denying he’ s got a lot of momentum headed into 2018. With Troy Coughlin retiring and Rickie Smith seeking sponsorship, there’ s definitely going to be an opportunity for Stevie to push toward the top of the Pro Mod heap this year. However, I think Frank Manzo and Mike Castellana are going to have a lot to say about it. It’ s going to be another super exciting year in Pro Mod. We can’ t wait.]

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