LETTER from the EDITOR
The 30 Under 30 issue is a real double-edged sword . On one hand , its overall theme highlights the fact that drag racing ’ s future is in great hands . To get more specific , each individual feature in the 30 Under 30 section gives these honorees their moment in the spotlight . Some of them , like newly crowned NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Gaige Herrera , are used to that spotlight . Others , like Late Model Performance owner Alec Bledsoe , might occasionally get a hit of that spotlight . Others still , like photographer Darrel Jackson Jr ., are usually the ones providing the spotlight .
On the other hand , this issue can be divisive and controversial . To some , this list won ’ t mean anything until their son , daughter , sibling , sponsored driver , or otherwise preferred young person makes it on the list . Others will say there aren ’ t enough bracket racers , pro racers , motorcycle racers , grudge racers , electric-powered snowmobile racers , or [ insert your favorite subset of drag racers here ] on the list . All of this is OK . We knew at the outset that this is a subjective list and there will always be people who disagree with it . As the 30 Under 30 program has grown over the years , I ’ ve had to become more comfortable with people criticizing our choices .
All I ask is that people come into this with an open mind . Look beyond the bullet-point list of honorees and take the time to read the features about the individuals you might not be familiar with . Even when you think you know someone , read their story anyway . I bet you ’ ll learn something new , as I sure did when I was writing my features and reading the others .
If you ’ re reading this as someone who didn ’ t see the name they were hoping to see on this year ’ s list , please know that we could ’ ve filled up a whole
other list of 30 names with the candidates who just missed the cut this time . If the number of nominations we received didn ’ t set a new record , it sure came close . I personally looked through almost 5,000 individual forms , each with up to three nominees . Though it was challenging to work that list down to around 75 , and even harder to work that 75 down to 30 , it was encouraging to know that there are so many future stars out there putting in their 10,000 hours . If someone didn ’ t make the list this year , it ’ s very likely that we ’ re saving them for next year , or the year after , or maybe even later .
On another note , this issue includes my longform feature on the 10-year history of the PDRA . I started attending PDRA events at the second race of the 2016 season to continue Drag Illustrated ’ s coverage of the series , which also entails providing race results to other media outlets on behalf of the PDRA . I haven ’ t missed a race since , and the people of the PDRA community have become some of my closest friends .
It was important to me to shed a light on the people who ’ ve made the PDRA possible , from its beginning in 2014 through to its 10th anniversary this year . Many thanks to Jason Scruggs for his warm welcome at that first race in 2016 , and to Tommy and Judy Franklin , Tyler Crossnoe , and everyone else on the PDRA team for the red-carpet treatment they provide me and my fellow media members .
I ’ m writing this before we have a final page count , but I ’ m predicting this is our largest issue ever . If not , it ’ s certainly in the top five . The whole DI team steps up to put this special issue together , all under the pressure of the hard deadline that is the PRI Show . We ’ re all proud of what this issue become , and we hope you all enjoy it . DI
Wes Buck Chief Executive Officer Founder & Editorial Director 660.988.2313 wes @ dragillustrated . com
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Nate Van Wagnen Editor-in-Chief
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8 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 185