Drag Illustrated Issue 173, December 2021 | Page 8

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“ All the Track Will Hold ”

FEATURES 30
Shot by Shute
Photographer Richard Shute , who started the iconic Auto Imagery firm 50 years ago , reflects on his illustrious career as he takes a step back from covering the entire NHRA national event tour as he has for decades . By Kelly Wade

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The Killer Bs
The Top Alcohol Funny Car trio known as the “ Killer Bs ” – driver Sean Bellemeur , tuner Steve Boggs , and owner Tony Bartone – continued their reign this season , winning world championships in the Mid-West Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Series . By Josh Hachat
Cowpasture Nationals
Ardmore Dragway ’ s Cowpasture Nationals celebrated a major milestone in October when the 50th running of the bracket race was held . Event founders Lonnie Sears and Johnny Laird were on site and shared stories of how the event came to be and how it grew . By Van Abernethy
The Long Road Back
The 2021 season was a story of redemption for Outlaw 632 racer Daryl Stewart and his tuner , Clayton Murphy . For Stewart , it was a return from a 25- year racing hiatus . For Murphy , it was bouncing back from a brief step back to attend rehab in 2020 . By Nate Van Wagnen

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DEPARTMENTS
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COVERAGE
Snowbird Nationals
Melanie Salemi raced through five rounds to win the $ 50,000 Pro Mod prize at the 50th annual Snowbird Outlaw Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park , where 50 Pro Mod drivers and racers in numerous other classes put on a show . By Nate Van Wagnen
DI COLUMNIST
On the Road
When a canceled race threw a wrench into Van Abernethy ’ s plans , he decided to make the most of the situation by going on another trip that included stops at Gulfport Dragway and Immokalee Regional Raceway , along with a bit of fishing in the Everglades .
ON THE COVER Do-it-all driver and Carolina Cash Days Small-Tire winner Lyle Barnett as photographed by Justin Stanley of Spoold Media at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville , South Carolina .
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PHOTOS : CHRIS SEARS , VAN ABERNETHY , TARA BOWKER
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