DI140
“All the Track
Will Hold”
FEATURES
18 Double Duty
As a 10-time FIA European Drag Rac-
ing Series Pro Stock champion, Jimmy
Alund knows what it takes to consis-
tently perform at a high level. In 2018,
he proved that he knows how to do
so in a blown doorslammer, too, as he
secured the FIA Pro Mod title.
By Kelly Wade
30 Porsche Power
Keith Mayers decided early in his rac-
ing career to stray from the traditional
American muscle route when it comes
to his car of choice. Two decades later,
his ’85 Porsche 944 is turning heads
and turning on win lights wherever it
goes. By Ainsley Jacobs
SPE CIAL SE C TION
Crowning the
Champions
76
55
S T E V E T O R R ENC E
M AT T S MI TH
JA S O N H AR R I S
18
Page 76
DEPARTMENTS
CO LUM N CO LU MN
Wes Buck explains why J.R. Todd is a most
relatable world champion, and more im-
portantly, why professional drag racing so
badly needs relatable stories and person-
alities right now. Whether you’re chasing new sponsor-
ships or trying to keep your current
backers interested, Will Hanna explains
why the offseason is an ideal time to give
your sponsorship program a tune-up.
8 Letter from the Founder 50 Tuned Up
DIALE D IN
55 Ardmore Dragway
Van Abernethy visits the historic
eighth-mile dragstrip near the Oklaho-
ma-Texas border that has been hosting
uniquely named races like the Cow Pas-
ture Nationals for nearly five decades.
ON THE COVER NHRA Funny Car world champion J.R. Todd
as photographed by Rick Belden at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.
6 | Drag
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
Issue 140
ABERNETHY
Drag Illustrated’s annual look at
the season’s champions covers the
championship battles of racers in
numerous different series, sanctioning
bodies and styles of drag racing.
From an unprecedented Top Fuel
performance to nail-biter moments on
the eighth-mile, we dive into what it
took to win championships in 2018.