NO PREP KINGS

ready to battle his way into the spotlight .

Behind the driver , there is a rapidly growing fanbase . Swanstrom has grown his brand on social media and promotes the series as a whole .

“ The fans are crazy for No Prep Kings and I think that ’ s the best part about it is because the fans is what keeps it going ,” Swanstrom says . “ I think No Prep has the best fans out of all racing out there …[ No Prep ] is going to continue to succeed and get better and better every year and I hope to be just a little part of it .”

The growing fanbase and TV series has put the No Prep Kings series in the spotlight . The TV show allows every viewer to have an on-track experience with a made-for-TV twist .

“ It ’ s hardcore racing , they really show it . You see that we ’ re racing , but they put that reality spin on it and I think people just love it ,” Musi says .

The growing interest in the show also brings competition to the NHRA and other organizations . The reality content brings No Prep racing to life . Swanstrom and Musi recognize how the No Prep Kings series truly stands out against other associations .

“ I don ’ t think NHRA can compete with the fanbase ,” Musi says . “ I have been in the trenches so I have seen it all . I think they have a really great thing going . I think NHRA , if they don ’ t watch themselves , they are going to find themselves in trouble .”

“ I think we bring in more fans than NHRA and

Pat Musi

some of the other big organizations ,” Swanstrom believes . “ There ’ s just so many people that come to these tracks to be able to see the Street Outlaws guys , and now meet me , and part of it ’ s with my YouTube channel and my social media .”

The No Prep Kings fanbase showed up in full force at the season opener , proving their hunger to take in some No Prep action after a year off . National Trail Raceway was packed with fans , lining the fences and filling the newly remodeled bleachers .

It wasn ’ t just casual fans in attendance , though , as decorated NHRA Pro Mod driver Troy Coughlin Sr . decided to check out the scene as a spectator .

“ Wow , what an experience . I have never seen so many people in that racetrack for years ,” said Coughlin , a central Ohio native . “ Totally amazed by the people in the stands – people up against the fences – and the competition that they had was awesome . On hot tracks in the hot weather that was going on , it ’ s impressive .”

After Ryan Martin took home the first trophy of the season at National Trail , the No Prep Kings have visited Palm Beach International Raceway and South Georgia Motorsports Park for their next events . Martin leads the points with two wins under his belt , but Swanstrom turned on the final win light at SGMP .

After taking out Martin in second round , Swanstrom went on to beat Jerry Bird in the finals .

“ I took the win this weekend so I got to take home the $ 40,000 cash , I got to take home the No Prep Kings trophy , and I got to let everybody know that I , Justin Swanstrom , am there to run anybody out there , race as hard as I can , have fun , and hopefully take a championship in the Street Outlaws No Prep Kings season 4 .”

After a couple weeks off , the series headed to Cordova International Raceway in Cordova , Illinois , for the first of four consecutive races in July . DI

30 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 169