“ I’ ve dreamed of competing in Top Alcohol Dragster for the past six years, and I couldn’ t be more eager to get out on the track and race this season. It’ s an incredibly competitive class, and with Rich( McPhillips) and Richie( McPhillips Jr.) handling the tuning and the strength of AJPE power, I’ m confident we can achieve great success this season.”- MELANIE JOHNSON

WELCOME TO PRO MOD, MURDER NOVA: Shawn“ Murder Nova” Ellington, the reigning Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings champion, catches his breath after making a pass in the twin-turbocharged‘ 69 Camaro he’ s driving for Keith Haney in the DI Winter Series.

NO PRO MOD? NO PROBLEM: Drag-and-drive pioneer turned No Prep Kings hitter Larry Larson gathers his parachutes following a pass in his Harts-Chargerequipped‘ 66 Nova at the U. S. Street Nationals, where he attempted to qualify in Pro Mod. His very stout 3.704 fell short of the 32-car bump spot of 3.655, but he did outqualify over a dozen purpose-built Pro Mods.

WE MEET AGAIN: Multi-talented driver Alex Laughlin and No Prep Kings star Robin Roberts catch up at the top end at Bradenton Motorsports Park, where the two competed in Pro Mod at the U. S. Street Nationals after meeting up in NPK competition last season.

HOME TURF: Bradenton Motorsports Park track prep specialist Wade Rich walks alongside the FTI-backed Jr. Dragster driven by his son, Cam, who competed in the Snowbirds.

STATEMENT MADE: Four-time and reigning NHRA Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown addresses the FloRacing viewers with top-end reporter— and DI’ s own— Kayla Zadel. Brown, who won the 2022 Snowbirds in Pro 275, continued to prove he can win in the doorslammer classes by qualifying for the U. S. Street Nationals in Pro Mod and knocking out No. 1 qualifier Mark Micke in the second round.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DARREL JACKSON JR., CHRIS SEARS, LUKE NIEUWHOF

62 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 193