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

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

8 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 173