Dirt
No Prep Kings is Back
National Trail Raceway hosts season opener after year-long hiatus By Paige Coughlin
After a year-long battle with the COVID-19 pandemic , the Street Outlaws No Prep Kings series is ready to hit the racetrack with a jam-packed 2021 schedule . The season kicked off in early June at National Trail Raceway in Hebron , Ohio , the first stop on a tour that includes multiple stretches of back-to-back races .
The rigorous 2021 schedule has tuners like Pat Musi and drivers like Justin Swanstrom eager to take on the challenge . With a year off , everyone is ready to see these hot rods light up the racetrack and the score boards .
Musi , a legendary tuner and engine builder , is ready to take the season head on . With his extensive background in the NHRA professional classes , the schedule reminds him of his Pro Stock days .
“ Everybody was freaking out that it was backto-back-to-back , but you know I come from Pro Stock – I ’ ve raced 26 events a year ,” Musi says . “ I ’ m kind of used to it , you know . I mean you gotta be prepared , you gotta have plenty of parts .”
As Musi prepares a new car for his daughter , Lizzy , he has high hopes for the future of No Prep Kings . With strong and competitive drivers , it leaves big shoes to fill for up-and-coming No Prep racers .
A rising star in the No Prep Kings series , Swanstrom has taken on the role to fill those shoes and build a name for himself . At 25 years old , Swanstrom has raced in a variety of classes , but he has his heart set on No Prep Kings and he ’ s
Justin Swanstrom
PHOTOGRAPHS BY COURTNEY PAULSHOCK
28 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 169