PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER BIONDO

MOST WEST Coast drag racers are familiar with the name Marko Perivolaris , as well they should be . Perivolaris is a multi-time division and national event winner on the NHRA drag racing circuit , and he ’ s claimed an assortment of trophies from big-buck bracket races , including two Spring Fling Million Las Vegas wins . He was NHRA ’ s Division 7 2013 Rookie of the Year and 2019 ET Driver of the Year , and twice he ’ s qualified for the JEGS Allstars .

“ It means a lot to be one of Drag IllustrateD ’ s 30 Under 30 ,” says Perivolaris , 26 . “ There are a lot of people in drag racing that I look up to – people like Kyle Seipel and Peter Biondo – who

have been a tremendous help . It ’ s really special to be on this list when there are a lot of talented young individuals in this sport . It ’ s an honor to be amongst all the others who have so much passion and dedication .”

It all began for Perivolaris at Sonoma Raceway , where he raced a street car as soon as he got his driver ’ s license . His parents , Nick and Ellen , sent him through Frank Hawley ’ s Drag Racing School later that year , and eventually , they got hold of a bracket car . Racing has always been something the family shared , and Perivolaris and his sister , Lela , learned early on that they were most effective when working together . He would drive , and Lela would dial .

“ We ’ ve done it as a team ever since , and that ’ s what ’ s kept me drawn to drag racing ,” he says .

Perivolaris won his first national event in Super Gas in 2015 at the NHRA Finals , and since that time , he ’ s earned four more of the coveted Wally trophies – all in Super Comp – including one this

year right where it all started : Sonoma Raceway .

The victory was his first at home , and it came just a few months after Perivolaris lost his mother , Ellen , who passed away in February , and friend and mentor Seipel , who lost his life to cancer in June .

Lela said , “ I was worried Marko would take a step back from racing , but he continues to stay just as committed . He has a huge passion and fully invests himself in this sport , whether it ’ s as a driver himself or working with the racers as part of the Spring Fling Bracket Races staff . He ’ s super personable , and he does it all with a smile on his face .”

Despite his accomplishments , Perivolaris remains humble .

“ It ’ s hard to say what I ’ m most proud of , but if I had to choose , I would say the Spring Fling wins ,” he says . “ As for the future , I just see trying to race as much as we can , taking it one race at a time , and enjoying it with family and friends .” – KELLY WADE DI

November 2021

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