TIM SLAVENS TRIBUTE

brand-new program by potentially upsetting a whole host of racers . So , I told them I was looking forward to seeing them and hoped ( and prayed ) I could successfully explain the situation once they got there . I worried they would be mad enough to burn the place down .

They roll through the gates – I think there was a half-dozen rigs in total – and immediately noticed they were pretty much the only people there . A few other locals had come over to help me paint some stuff , move some stuff around , etc ., but the place was a ghost town .

I explain that we canceled the test session , that I couldn ’ t figure out how to get some of the timing system to work ( my first time running a racetrack ), and I didn ’ t want to send them home , but I

didn ’ t have a lot of options for them beyond that .

Werdehausen and Slavens – we ’ re chatting up by the starting line at this point , looking at the track – they go , “ Hey , man , will you let us do some burnouts ? Make a few launches ? The track doesn ’ t seem that bad .”

There hadn ’ t really been anyone on the track since the season ended in October of the previous year and these guys want to run on it ? I couldn ’ t believe it , but I jumped at the opportunity to try and make them happy .

I hopped on the tractor , ran the drag up and down the concrete-and-asphalt strip there amidst the corn fields a little bit , sprayed a little glue on the starting line , a little water in the box , and told them to have at it .

Tim , Mark , and the rest of their gang then proceeded to all take turns making probably the first near no-prep passes in the history of Eddyville Raceway Park . We had a big ol ’ time , kinda started our relationship in a super low-stress environment , and Tim and the whole group ended up having a lot of success in our series and , of course , many others .

After that , Tim Slavens went on to become one of the best known and most beloved outlaw racers in the country . He set world records , he won the biggest races , he was on the cover of

Drag IllustrateD , he did a lot – and he did it all with a smile on his face and unfathomable humility while surrounded by friends and family . We should all be so lucky .

God bless Tim ’ s friends , family and everyone impacted by this incredible loss . The sport of drag racing and the world will surely miss Tim Slavens . I know I will . DI

28 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 174