Mark “ Woody ” Woodruff ’ s drag racing career began when a judge in small-town Missouri sentenced him to two years ’ probation at the dragstrip after getting caught in a police chase as a high schooler . Woodruff ’ s involvement in the sport has escalated ever since , as he jumped into small-tire racing and grew with the segment of the sport . He ’ s had a first-hand look at the explosive growth of radial races like Lights Out , and as a longtime Radial vs . the World competitor , he has well-informed thoughts on the future and evolution of the class . BY NATE VAN WAGNEN

PHOTO : MAT MATLACK

6 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 175