■ NHRA newbie Ida Zetterström was named ‘ Best New Talent ’ by NHRA ’ s National Dragster publication at the Performance Racing Industry ( PRI ) show in Indianapolis , it was announced on Thursday , December 12 .

The 2023 FIA European Top Fuel champion hailing from Sweden launched her NHRA career at the 2024 Brainerd Nationals in Brainerd , Minn . where she captured her

first round-win at her debut event on U . S . soil by defeating a multitime world champion on a holeshot to advance to the semifinals . Zetterström then went on to qualify for each of the remaining seven events on the NHRA Mission Foods Series schedule as she pursued NHRA ’ s Rookie of the Year award . Despite only running a campaign of eight races out of the 20-event season , Zetterström ’ s dedication , steadfast work ethic , and passion for the sport were evident and earned the attention of NHRA ’ s fanbase who selected Zetterström for the Best New Talent award .

“ We were really gunning hard for NHRA ’ s Rookie of the Year honors , and although we were disappointed not to have won that award , it wasn ’ t quite a huge shock to us as we only competed in eight races while the majority of the contenders raced a full season , so we started with the deck stacked against us ,” explained Zetterström , driver of the JCM Racing VP Racing Fuels / Edelbrock / COMP Cams / Dodge Top Fuel dragster . “ So , to win this title , Best New Talent , it is especially gratifying because this one was strictly voted on by the fans , and at the end of the day , the fans are what drives this sport . They ’ re the reason we ’ re all out here , racing for trophies and doing what we love .”

Zetterström out-earned fellow NHRA Rookie of the Year contenders Richard Gadson , Jasmine Salinas , 2024 Road to the Future award winner Tony Stewart , and Daniel Wilkerson in the voting process .

“ Like so much of what we do out here , I truly consider this award to be a team effort ,” added Zetterström , who relocated from Europe to the Indianapolis area in January to be close to the JCM Racing shop in Brownsburg . “ I talked in my interview when I received the award about the relentless work that went into building this team and putting this operation together in order to be on the track by August , and how long this has been a great dream of mine to come over to NHRA and race , and how hard ( crew chief ) Jon Schaffer has worked to build up this team , and for Joe Maynard to make the decision to trust me to come drive his second race car . There was so much that went into us being able to run a rookie campaign this season , and it ’ s nice to know that all of that hard work did not go unnoticed .

“ I ended the season feeling like we might not have had enough time to show what we can do and what we ’ re capable of but seeing that the fans caught on and saw us on track and thought that we made an impression really does mean a lot to me and our whole team . I can ’ t wait for even greater things in 2025 and am looking forward to securing the necessary funding required to compete in a full season .”

■ For nearly five decades , Auto Imagery , Inc . has elevated the visibility of NHRA drag racing by capturing its wildly visceral nature in stunning images . Frame by frame , the talented Auto Imagery photographers have diligently gathered an archive of drag racing history , and owner Richard Shute has taken steps to ensure that the catalog of more than one million historic images will continue to grow .

Effective January 1 , 2025 , Alex Owens will assume the role of Vice President for the renowned organization . Owens joined the Auto Imagery team as an apprentice photographer in 2009 , and he was an eager student , quickly adapting to the intricacies of capturing 300 + mph racecars and wheelstanding Stock and Super Stock hot rods in all their glory .

Hired as a full-time photographer in 2021 , Owens continued to grow , both in terms of his skill with a camera and in working one-onone with clients . For the past two seasons , he has been the Director of Business Relations , continuing to shoot photos while also dedicating consistent effort toward exceeding client needs and brainstorming and implementing ideas that will carry the business into the next era .

“ I remember looking up photos on AutoImagery . com as a kid , and now to be Vice President of the company – this is a full-circle experience for me ,” said Owens . “ Richard believed in me and saw talent in a 15-year-old kid , talent I didn ’ t even know I had . I ’ m honored to keep the Auto Imagery legacy alive and to continue growing the business for years to come .”

For his tireless efforts and widespread impact , Owens was announced as a 2024 Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 honoree – a coveted award not lost on the founder of Auto Imagery .

“ I am so pleased that Alex joined our team years ago ,” said Shute , who will remain President of the organization and lean into a more managerial role , allowing Owens to take over day-to-day operations . “ Alex has repeatedly shown adaptability and a willingness to work hard to grow Auto Imagery , and those continued efforts have been integral in this decision .

“ The Drag IllustrateD 30 Under 30 list recognizes young individuals moving the sport of drag racing forward , and Alex ’ s inclusion this year really solidified my decision . It ’ s very rewarding to know that everything I see and appreciate in Alex is recognized by others . I know Auto Imagery will be in good hands with Alex at the helm for many , many years .”

Owens will lead the Auto Imagery team from behind the lens , continuing to capture impactful moments in time with his unique , polished style , while also balancing the responsibilities of Vice President for one of the most wellknown entities in NHRA drag racing . Over the next four years and as Auto Imagery approaches 50 years of photographing thrilling drag racing action , Owens will also acquire a percentage of ownership as part of his salary , securing his investment and involvement well into the future of the sport .

“ In the 45 years since I started Auto Imagery on March 2 , 1979 , this is only the third time leadership has changed hands ,” said Shute . “ I look forward to seeing the future under the leadership of Alex Owens . Few people know that Alex has worked directly with me since 2009 . I ’ m very proud of that fact , and I ’ m very proud of him .”

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