Drag Illustrated Issue 180, January / February 2023 | Page 58

“ I know what it ’ s like to run for $ 100,000 in one round [ at the World Series of Pro Mod ] and come up short and get zero . I ’ m definitely looking forward to the chance to recoup that $ 100,000 that I got shut out of in 2019 .” - DOUG WINTERS

MOVERS & SHAKERS

‘ GOLDILOCKS ’ TIES THE KNOT : Alabama racer Maddie Malone was pretty surprised when her parents gifted her with a gorgeous 1966 Chevy II on her 16th birthday back in 2017 . Her dad pulled off another surprise on September 3 when he secretly made arrangements for the race car to be parked outside the wedding venue on her special day with Christopher Obryant . Malone couldn ’ t pass up the opportunity to slip on her race jacket and make some wedding day memories with the beloved car she calls “ Goldilocks .”
THE NEXT GENERATION : Multi-time NHRA Funny Car world champion Robert Hight snaps a prerace photo with his daughter , Autumn , who ’ s getting her feet wet in Super Comp .
HOME TRACK HERO : Virginia ’ s Dane Wood is all smiles after jumping out of his family ’ s Albertpowered Pro Nitrous Mustang at the top end during a PDRA race . Wood had a career-best season , reaching a final round , winning the PDRA ProStars race , and making it to the semifinals at the World Finals , all at Virginia Motorsports Park .
RIGHT MOVES : Michael Scott , president of Right Trailers , joins Tony Pedregon on the NHRA stage at the PRI Show to announce the roster of drivers the company will sponsor for the 2023 season . The list includes professional , sportsman , and Jr . Dragster drivers .
HIATUS OVER : Maurice DuPont ( left ) stands with car owner Scott Palmer , who made it possible for DuPont to make his return to NHRA Top Fuel at the NHRA Finals after a 30-year hiatus from the sport .
PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRIS SEARS , MELLIE SNEDEKER , TARA BOWKER , NHRA , AND HEATHER SHERRILL
58 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 180