LETTER from the EDITOR
There was something surreal about watching this year’ s Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod from my couch. Ever since DI started holding races in 2017 at the inaugural WSOPM at Bandimere Speedway, I’ ve been on the grounds at each race working with our editorial team to tell the stories of the events and to share the results with fans and other media outlets around the world. But this year was different.
After attending race one of the inaugural DI Winter Series presented by J & A Service, I left Bradenton Motorsports Park knowing it would be several months before I was back at the track. My wife, Allyson, was expecting our first child and I planned to take some time off from traveling to be at home with her and our baby boy. I’ m proud to report that Callum Ronald Van Wagnen arrived in the early hours of January 17th. A few hours into coming home with us almost a week later, Callum was listening to Pro Mods scream across the starting line as we watched the U. S. Street Nationals on Flo- Racing. He got another dose a few weeks later during the WSOPM.
As strange as it was not to be at Bradenton for the second and third races of the Winter Series, it also gave me a new perspective. Watching the races from home allowed me to see it the way thousands of fans across the country experienced it. I’ m obviously a little biased, but I was beyond impressed with the experience. FloRacing has really stepped up the production level with the drone and boom cameras, along with slick graphics packages and more interviews with drivers and tuners, but also with people involved with the event behind the scenes. The racing was intense, from the electric final qualifying session to unpredictable eliminations rounds. It was everything you’ d hope for in an event billed as“ The Biggest, Richest Pro
Mod Race in the World.”
This year’ s WSOPM proved again why it’ s one of the most anticipated events in the sport. From the high-stakes drama of chip draws to the headspinning number of cars, it’ s what I believe Wes Buck envisioned when he first pitched the DI team on a $ 100,000-to-win Pro Mod race several years ago. Watching it all unfold – this time with a baby bottle in one hand and a burp cloth in the other – I was reminded just how much this race means to the people who live and breathe this sport.
One of those people is Steve King, who captured the $ 150,000 win in a final round that solidified his place in Pro Mod history. In this issue, we’ ve got a strong cover story written by Craig Cook that dives deep into King’ s road to victory. It’ s more than just a race recap; it’ s a look at the determination and dedication King, team owner Gene Pilot, crew chief Jeff Miller, and tuner Jon Salemi put into winning on Pro Mod’ s biggest stages. In what’ s become a WSOPM tradition, Luke Nieuwhof photographed King for the cover just moments after he was doused in champagne in the winner’ s circle.
We also packed this issue with indepth coverage of all the WSOPM action, from Pro Mod drivers who came close to the $ 150,000 prize to the winners in the supporting classes. The issue also includes coverage from the Winter Series as a whole, anchored by a feature on series champion Ken Quartuccio.
Whether you were watching from the stands in Bradenton or streaming from the comfort of your home like me, this year’ s WSOPM delivered memories that will stick with us for a long time. Callum might not remember his first World Series of Pro Mod, but I sure will. And if all goes as planned, the three of us will take in the 2026 WSOPM in-person, creating even more memories around the event. 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 440.986.1480 nate @ dragillustrated. com
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Bobby Bennett, Greg Burrow, Craig Cook, Tommy D’ Aprile, Allyson Van Wagnen, Bret Kepner, Brandon W. Mudd, Ian Tocher, Kelly Wade
PHOTO DEPARTMENT: John Fore III, Van Abernethy, Rick Belden, David Beitler, Tara Bowker, Bob Campagna, Jason Dunn, Phil Hutchison, Joe McHugh, Gary Nastase, Mark J. Rebilas, Roger Richards, Cole Rokosky, Chris Sears, James Sisk, Ian Tocher
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Nate Van Wagnen Editor-in-Chief
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10 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 194