Counterweight
The Champ
is Here
Of course, there are a lot of
bad-to-the-bone classes in drag
racing right now, but for my money,
PDRA Pro Nitrous is as awesome
as it gets. I think whatever magic
was created by the variety of engine
combinations in the original IHRA
Pro Mod days have been somewhat
replaced by the variety of engine
builders and chassis builders that
are competitive in Pro Nitrous right
now, and that’s not even introducing
the notion that many of the drivers
in the category are colorful, diverse
and talented characters that deliver
on the track and in interviews. That
said, I couldn’t have been happier to
see Tommy Franklin on the cover
of this year’s “Champions Issue” -
especially after going back-to-back
in what is (clearly) my favorite class
in drag racing. I’m not able to com-
pete at the PDRA level, but have
a Quick-8 style car with a 4.840-
inch bore space engine and guys like
Tommy are who I look up to.
Jose Fenderson, via the Internet
[FOUNDER & EDITORIAL
DIRECTOR WES BUCK
REPLIES: If there’s anyone
in drag racing to model your
program after, well, it’s Tommy
Franklin. I can’t possibly overstate
the level of respect that I have for
Tommy, and the dedication that
he has to not only being successful
on the drag strip, but doing so
with the support and involvement
of his family. It’s impressive.
Secondly, Tommy is the kind
of rare racer that is capable of
going out and knocking down
the scoreboards, but also doing it
four rounds in a row! We love to
celebrate racers who know how to
win, and Tommy fits the bill. Glad
you enjoyed the story, and we
have to agree: PDRA Pro Nitrous
is hot like fire.]
Have to admit that I’m not 100%
familiar with Amber Franklin, but
also have to admit that I shed a few
tears upon realizing that a Junior
Dragster racer had finally made the
cover of DRAG ILLUSTRATED. I’m
12 | D r a g
Feedback, Friendly Notes,
& Hate Mail
The CHAMPIONS Issue
dragillustrated.com
ROBERT
HIGHT
MIKE
RECCHIA
Tune Up Talk
LARRY
McBRIDE
CARY
GOFORTH
BRITTANY
FORCE
KENNY
HUBBARD
Bob
Glidden
1944-2017
GOING OUT
IN STYLE
DOUBLE-CHAMP
Troy Coughlin Retires
Following 3 rd NHRA
Pro Mod Championship
Keith Haney Scores Midwest
Pro Mod & Radial Titles
Back-to-Back PDRA
Pro Nitrous Champion
Tommy Franklin
FAMILY BUSINESS
Amber Franklin
PDRA Pro Jr. Dragster
Champion
not saying that it’s been long over-
due because your team has always
done a great job featuring a lot of
different racers and tuners that
definitely deserve the publicity and
honor, but it’s been in the back of my
mind for a long time that it’d be re-
ally cool, kind of like the final fron-
tier for a Junior racer, to make it on
the cover and get the same kind of
rockstar treatment that outlaws like
Jason Scruggs and superstars like
John Force have gotten before them.
Very cool. Thank you so much. You
probably have no idea how much
this meant and how inspiring it was
to so many young racers and parents.
Thank you.
Robert Gist, via the Internet
[FOUNDER & EDITORIAL
DIRECTOR WES BUCK
REPLIES: We’re trying to ‘Make
Drag Racing Great Again’, right?
Well, if that’s the case…we better be
paying attention to drag racing’s
next generation. When we realized
the opportunity that existed to
not only shine a light on Tommy
Franklin and his second PDRA
Pro Nitrous championship, but to
also highlight his daughter, Amber,
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
thing in between. I suppose this
is just a long way of saying, ‘Good
job!’ Please keep up the good work!
Never thought I’d be able to pick up
one drag rag and basically see and
read everything I want in one place.
Steven Kimble, via the Internet
and her Pro Junior Dragster title,
well, we couldn’t decide which to
be more excited about. Honestly,
that’s not exactly true. We were
thrilled to have the opportunity
to finally feature a Junior racer
on the cover, and a very deserving
one at that. The father-daughter
champion angle, of course, didn’t
hurt, eith