NHRA Pro Stock star Alex Laughlin lays down a patch of rubber across the historic Gainesville Raceway starting line in preparation for his final-round victory over fellow young gun Aaron Stanfield at the long-delayed 51st annual NHRA Gatornationals . It was a story of redemption for Laughlin , who lost in the final round at the 2019 Gatornationals when he had a mechanical issue before making the run . The Gators victory is Laughlin ’ s second this year , joining his $ 50,000 Pro Mod win at the Drag Illustrated World Doorslammer Nationals in Orlando in March .

Photograph by Jerry Foss / NHRA

Gainesville Raceway Gainesville , Florida

Sunday , September 27 , 2020

10 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 161