DI180
FEATURES 22
126
Op-Ed : Make Some Noise for Motorsports
With several years of experience in local government and many more years spent in drag racing , Florida native Madelyn Marconi is fighting for racetracks with a threatened future .
Hello , My Name is Fred
When the 2022 NHRA Camping World Series season concluded in November , three-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown wasn ’ t done winning . He went out and won in his Pro 275 debut driving Manny Buginga ’ s “ Fred ” Mustang at the Snowbirds . By Nate Van Wagnen
“ All the Track Will Hold ”
126
SPECIAL SECTION Second Annual DI Awards
The DI editorial team took a look back at the entire 2022 season and highlighted over a dozen of the people , moments , and storylines that captured the attention of fans , readers , and racers in various corners of the sport for our second annual DI Awards .
PETE D ’ AGNOLO 102 SICK WEEK 108 ALEX TAYLOR 123
DEPARTMENTS
22 123
COLUMN
66 On the Road 73
The winter lull of racing in most other parts of country – and the obviously favorable weather and fishing opportunities – lead DI ’ s Van Abernethy to Florida every winter . During a recent trip , he found himself reminiscing about his first trip to Immokalee .
DIALED IN
Matt Ward
Between spending time with his family , bracket racing his Camaro , and preaching to racers on Sunday mornings , South Carolina-based Racers for Christ Chaplain Matt Ward finds everything he ’ s looking for at the dragstrip . By Van Abernethy
ON THE COVER Five-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders as photographed by Zach Muddiman of Gated Media at Houston Raceway in Baytown , Texas .
PHOTOS : CHRIS SEARS , COLE REYNOLDS
6 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 180