Drag Illustrated Issue 139, December 2018 | Page 12

Counterweight dragillustrated.com 20 18 P H O TO A N N U A L Photo Annual Man, the DI team hit another home run with this year’s Photo An- nual! Starting off with John Fore III’s incredible capture of Jeff Miller and the “Bumblebee’s” wild antics at Darlington, this issue was just packed full of amazing photogra- phy. I was blown away by the vari- ety – Top Fuel dragsters and radial cars coexisting on the same page?! Kids lining up for a 12-wide Power Wheels drag race?! Where else will you see stuff like that?! And it seems like there are photos from every racetrack in the country. Great work by everyone involved. Christopher Wright, via the Internet [EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NATE VAN WAGNEN REPLIES: Thank you, Christopher! Every year we ask over a two dozen photographers 12 | D r a g to submit their favorite images from the season, and I’d agree that they delivered in spades this year. Last year’s burnout theme was a big hit, but we got a ton of feedback about the variety that existed in previous Photo Annual editions. We went back to that proven formula, so I’m glad to hear that you noticed. Of course, the Photo Annual wouldn’t be possible without our all-star photographers who travel to races all over the country in pursuit of images that capture the memories and moments that make drag racing so special. We’re already looking forward to seeing what they come up with next season.] What’s Going On with Pro Stock? As a longtime Pro Stock fan, it’s concerning to see so many big- I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com Feedback, Friendly Notes, & Hate Mail name racers leaving NHRA Pro Stock. Last year’s world champ, Bo Butner, announced he’s step- ping away to focus on pursuing other interests like Pro Mod and no-prep racing. Past rookie of the year Drew Skillman is reducing his schedule or leaving the class completely to go back to sports- man racing. Part-timer John Gaydosh is selling his operation. Even Tanner Gray decided he’s going NASCAR racing after this season. Thankfully, teams like Elite Motorsports and KB Racing seem 100 percent com- mitted to the class for 2019 and beyond. It’s just scary to think that a class that so many gear- heads love could be reduced to eight-car fields in the not-so- distant future. George Pasco, via the Internet With NHRA Pro Stock fac- ing an uncomfortable reality – world champions leaving the class and NHRA cutting their schedule for 2019 – it’s interesting to see the opposite happening in the PDRA’s Ex- treme Pro Stock class. New faces like Dillon Voss are moving up to the mountain motor class. There were even 17 cars at the World Finals. Wasn’t mountain motor Pro Stock racing on its deathbed a few years ago? What’s going on here? Jacob Webb, via the Internet [NATE VAN WAGNEN REPLIES: Hey, Jacob! Having covered the PDRA races since the early events of the 2016 season, when a full eight-car field was rare, it’s been fun to see the PDRA and its racers nurse the class back to health in such a short period of time. I think there are a few factors that make Extreme Pro Stock an attractive option. Obviously, an eight-race schedule is far easier on the travel budget than a 24-race schedule, or even the 18-event schedule proposed for the 2019 NHRA Pro Stock season. Plus, the tracks on the PDRA’s Southeast-heavy schedule are just an afternoon drive away for most teams. The competition costs are much more reasonable, too. Rather than developing an in-house engine program, teams can pick one of a handful of engine builders – Sonny Leonard, Jon Kaase and Michael Allen, to name a few – and go racing with a highly competitive piece. Finally, it’s one of the last places for diehard, naturally aspirated, clutch-equipped racers to compete together without power adders or automatics. Add in a couple other factors – like an elusive 3-second performance barrier on the horizon – and you’ve got a recipe for a swelling Pro Stock class.] MEGABASH Hey Wes! I just wanted to send you a quick thank-you for throwing a kickass party at the PDRA World Finals! It was great to let loose after a long, cold day at the track. I sure hope you’ll be back to do it again next year! Sam McNabb, via the Internet [FOUNDER AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR WES BUCK REPLIES: Sam! Thank you so much for the note. I think we exceeded everyone’s expectations with the first-ever DI MEGABASH. We handed out over 700 cans of Coors Light, DJ Artfixion was great, and everyone had a blast. Huge thanks to Tommy and Judy Franklin and the Virginia Motorsports Park crew for helping us make it happen. Believe me, that was not the last MEGABASH that we’ll ever throw. It might become an annual thing, if not something we do a couple times a year. That was too much fun to only do it once a year.] Contact Us LETTERS to Drag Illustrated, 902 Kings Rd., Kirksville, MO, 63501. Letters become the property of Drag Illustrated and may be edited for publication. E-MAIL letters@dragillustrated.com SUBSCRIBER SERVICES Go to dragillustrated.com • Subscribe • Renew • Cancel • Missing Issues • Give a Gift • Pay Bill • Change of Address Issue 139