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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

DEPARTMENTS

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