DI134
“ All the Track Will Hold”
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Graduation Present
Past PDRA Jr. Dragster world champion Preston Tanner skipped his high school graduation ceremony so he could run the family’ s new supercharged MX235 Mustang at PSCA’ s Heads-Up Hootenanny. Against all odds, he won the race. By Josh Hachat
Back in the Saddle
After over a decade since Mark Pawuk’ s last race in NHRA Pro Stock, the“ Cowboy” is making his return to competition in the SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown behind the wheel of one of Don Schumacher’ s Dodge Challenger Drag Pak entries. By Kelly Wade
Drive It Like You Stole It
Known for his aggressive,“ never lift” driving style, Michael Biehle discusses the attitude it takes to finesse a twinturbocharged Pro Modified down the quarter-mile, especially in the era of ultra-elite fields and races decided by thousandths of a second. By Josh Hachat
Small Business, Big Thinking
Piston guru Rob Giebas partnered with former NHRA Pro Stock star V. Gaines to launch Gibtec Pistons, a Denver-based startup that now meets a growing demand for innovative billet pistons. By Ainsley Jacobs
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Q & A
44 Clay Millican 62
The lovable Tennessean waited 19 years to score his first NHRA Top Fuel win at Bristol last year. Less than a year later, Millican talks about the backto-back victories he’ s experienced since breaking through at Bristol. By Nate Van Wagnen
DI COLUMNIST
On the Road
DI’ s own Van“ The Man” Abernethy tells the story behind his Facebook-famous“ Best Appearing Journalist” award, a fictitious title presented last month at the PDRA Summer Drags in Martin, Michigan.
ON THE COVER Defending NHRA Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner as photographed by Rick Belden at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.
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DI COLUMNIST
Tuned Up
What are the first signs to look for when reviewing data after a run? This question and more are answered by blown alcohol specialist Will Hanna.
PHOTOS: JAMES SISK, JOE MCHUGH
6 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 134