Drag Illustrated Issue 185, November / December 2023 | Page 72

MOVERS & SHAKERS

SWINGIN ’ AND DUCKIN ’: Pete Wittenberg ’ s crew services his “ Circuit Breaker ” front-engine Top Fuel dragster en route to a thrilling victory at the Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals , where Wittenberg stopped Frank McBee Jr . in the final round .
TUNED IN : Multi-talented tuner Ryan McCain , who appeared on the 2019 30 Under 30 list with brother DJ , brings Mike Gunter and his nitrousfed “ Lucifer ” ‘ 69 Camaro into the beams at the Street Outlaws : No Prep Kings event at Virginia Motorsports Park .
ONE LAST RIDE : PDRA Pro Nitrous hitter Jay Cox ( left ) shares a laugh with series director Tyler Crossnoe ( center ) and fellow Pro Nitrous wheelman Tommy Franklin on the starting line at Virginia Motorsports Park during the PDRA Brian Olson Memorial World Finals . In what was his last race – for now – as a driver , Cox beat Franklin in the final round for a storybook ending to the season .
LIKE FATHER , LIKE DAUGHTER : Julie Nataas , daughter of past FIA Top Fuel champion Thomas Nataas , hoists her NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world championship Wally after clinching the title during the Texas NHRA FallNationals , where she also won the event and the JEGS Allstars race . She delivered Randy Meyer Racing ’ s fourth world title in five years .
PDRA SQUAD : Evan Salemi ( left ), a member of this year ’ s 30 Under 30 list , and 2016 30 Under 30 honoree Jeff Pierce stop for a quick photo with Virginia Motorsports Park co-owner Judy Franklin at the track ’ s Street Outlaws : No Prep Kings race . Salemi and Pierce were there working with newly crowned NPK champion Kye Kelley on his screw-blown “ JangALang ” Buick .
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