“ Fans pay the bills . We ’ ve got to make sure we ’ re putting on a show . Saturday night qualifying [ at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals ] was probably the best racing I ’ ve ever experienced . The stands were packed , and the energy was electric .” – KEN QUARTUCCIO

TRIUMPHANT RETURN : Flanked by daughter Courtney and son-in-law Graham Rahal , 16-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force returns to the starting line for the first time since his horrific on-track accident in Virginia over the summer . Force ’ s trackside return in Las Vegas came with a John Force Racing double-up , with Brittany Force picking up her first Top Fuel win since the 2022 Vegas fall race and Austin Prock earning his eighth Funny Car win of the season .

BRIGHT FUTURE : Matt Latino , son of Canadian Pro Mod veteran turned NHRA Pro Stock racer , accepts his DI 30 Under 30 jacket from DI COO and Design & Production Director Mike Carpenter . Just days earlier , Latino officially announced his plans to join his father in NHRA Pro Stock after earning his license .

MEDIA SQUAD : Members of the PDRA traveling media group pose for a “ class photo ” at the season-ending Brian Olson Memorial World Finals at Virginia Motorsports Park . The individuals here travel to nearly all eight races on the PDRA tour .

THE BROTHERS LAGANA : Lifelong nitro burners Bobby Lagana Jr . and Dom Lagana discuss the game plan for Tripp Tatum ’ s Top Fuel dragster in the pits at the NHRA U . S . Nationals in Indianapolis . Tatum , who was making his third appearance of the season , is one of the numerous part-time drivers who benefit from the Lagana brothers ’ knowledge and guidance .

PHOTOGRAPHS BY LUKE NIEUWHOF , CHRIS SEARS , TARA BOWKER , DAVID BEITLER , NHRA , AND MARK MENSCER

62 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 192