“[ Winning Sweet 16 3.0 in Pro 275 ] was kind of like a burden had been lifted off our shoulders . It was super gratifying and proved we belong here and have earned our right to be here .” - TIM SLAVENS

GOODGUY : Past PDRA Top Sportsman world champion Dan Ferguson tosses up the peace sign on the starting line at Virginia Motorsports Park , where he was helping Carl Stevens Jr . and team on Marc Meador ’ s new Pro Boost Camaro .

TEXAS NITRO LEGENDS : Texas Motorplex owner and former Funny Car driver Billy Meyer ( right ) presents Tony Schumacher with an award naming him a Texas Motorplex Legend . Schumacher , who now lives in Austin , Texas , won his first Top Fuel event at Dallas in 1999 and later became the winningest Top Fuel driver in the track ’ s history .

THE RADMAN : Legendary team owner Conrad “ Connie ” Kalitta flashes a smile as he watches for his Top Fuel and Funny Car teams to come to the starting line at the NHRA FallNationals .

PRE-RACE PRAYER : Newly crowned Mid-West Drag Racing Series Pro Mod season champion Ron Muenks pauses for a short prayer with God Speed Ministry ’ s Renee Bingham at the PDRA World Finals .

CAUGHT ON CAMERA : Straight Line Media ’ s Kyle Christ is clearly in his element as he searches out the best racing action footage . Christ posts his videos on numerous platforms online , highlighting PDRA , Mid-West Drag Racing Series and independent races .

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOE MCHUGH , CHRIS SEARS AND TARA BOWKER

50 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 162