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Apple Girl How Katie Buttera made a name for herself in racing BY KELLY WADE
Lil ’ John Buttera was an innovator in the world of hot rod fabrication , welding , and machining . Throughout the 1970s , he built beautiful race cars for the likes of Don “ the Snake ” Prudhomme , Don Schumacher , Barry Setzer , and many more . Renowned for his flawless craftsmanship , Lil ’ John was a respected artist , and it seems that the apple did not fall far from the tree . Thirty-year old Katie Buttera , Lil ’ John ’ s granddaughter , has forged her own path with a welding torch and race car parts and pieces , carrying on the family name in her own uniquely defined way .
“ Growing up , we had a machine shop in our garage and turned our guest bedroom into a craft room ,” says Buttera . “ My mom was very crafty , too . Our school projects were the best because we had all the good toys and trinkets and supplies to make everything . I was raised to be artsy , and as I got older , I realized how much I really liked it .”
As a young girl , Buttera was enmeshed in the world of racing – in addition to her grandfather ’ s deeply laid roots , her mother , Leigh , strengthened the familial ties to motorsports represent-
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOE MCHUGH AND APPLE GIRL ART
18 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 181