LETTER from the EDITOR

2020 30 Under 30 issue looks a little different . For one , it ’ s coming out a little earlier than it usually would . When the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delays in our production schedule earlier this year , we moved this issue up a month so we could be sure it would be ready in time for the Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis in December , where we usually unveil the issue to a standing-room-only crowd . At one time , that seemed possible .

As the season – and the spread of the virus – progressed through the late summer months , it became obvious that the idea of filling a small media room at the Indiana Convention Center full of people from around the country was unsafe and unrealistic . We began to rethink our usual 30 Under 30 strategy . A few weeks later , the PRI group announced the cancellation of the 2020 PRI Show , making our typical 30 Under 30 program impossible .

Once the show was officially canceled , we called off our search for drag racing ’ s brightest young drivers , tuners , crew members , fabricators , media members and other personalities making an impact on the sport . Without the huge list-unveiling press conference that we usually hold at the PRI Show to introduce our list to the masses , we didn ’ t feel right creating a 30 Under 30 list .

That unveiling is such a big deal to the 30 honorees who are recognized each year . On average , 25 of the 30 honorees make the trip to Indy to be there for the ceremony . Sure , some of them planned on going anyway . But many of them tell us they make the

Nate Van Wagnen Editor-in-Chief

trip specifically because they ’ re being honored . Plus , they usually bring their parents , significant others , sponsors and other supporters with them . It ’ s like a graduation ceremony , championship banquet and press conference rolled into one event . This year ’ s honorees would miss out on that opportunity .

On top of all that , this was just such a weird year for racing . We consider accomplishments in a number of different series , sanctioning bodies and forms of drag racing when we put together the 30 Under 30 list . Across the board , racers , tuners , fabricators , media members and other candidates have had far less opportunities to showcase their talents this season , so our pool of candidates to choose from was smaller than it ’ s ever been .

However , it wouldn ’ t be fair to completely ignore the victories and major steps the sport ’ s young people have taken this season . Rest assured we ’ ll keep these accomplishments in mind this time next year .

We wanted to stick with the 30 Under 30 theme , though , so we realized this unique situation presented the perfect opportunity to look back at the past lists and point out some of the 30 Under 30 honorees who ’ ve gone on to do even bigger things since appearing on the lists . We ’ ve always said these individuals would go on to become champions and leaders of the industry . The 15 past honorees we ’ ve identified and featured in this issue have done that in a big way and a short time .

We ’ re extremely proud of not just these 15 young stars , but also the 120-plus other honorees who ’ ve made up the last five 30 Under 30 lists . And we can ’ t wait to get started searching for the next 30 . DI

Feel free to email me at nate @ dragillustrated . com and follow me at facebook . com / nitronate1320 and nitronate1320 on Instagram and Twitter .

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