“ Pro Stock is not for the weak. It’ s competitive problem-solving and we take a lot of pride in how well we work together, accomplishing things legitimately. We may be down now but they will not keep us down forever.”- ERICA ENDERS

IN THE GROOVE: Michael Poland guides his fellow Lil’ Gangstas co-promoter, Tom Gunner- better known as Jimmy Dale- as he lines up to race down the Shadyside Dragway eighth mile at the Strange Engineering Ronnie Buff Memorial.

WINNING ON MANY LEVELS: Top Fuel sophomore Tony Stewart and multi-time Top Fuel winner Leah Pruett celebrate Stewart’ s second win in the class at the Route 66 Nationals with their son, Dominic. While Pruett took a step back from driving to focus on starting a family, she recently returned to the seat of Stewart’ s Top Fuel dragster to keep her license up to date.

COMPARING NOTES: Thomas Prock( right), assistant crew chief for brother Austin Prock, reviews data with John Force Racing track specialist Lanny Miglizzi before a Funny Car session at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals.

KEN AND DENISE Q: With wife Denise by his side as always, reigning DI Winter Series champion Ken Quartuccio straps in to make a pass in the screwblown Camaro he drives for Scott Tidwell Racing in the Congruity HR NHRA Pro Mod Series.

RESPECT: Rick Hendrick, iconic NASCAR team owner and owner of HendrickCars. com, congratulates reigning NHRA Funny Car world champion Austin Prock at the top end at zMAX Dragway following Prock’ s win at the Four- Wide Nationals. Hendrick and his line of car dealerships sponsor Prock and his John Force Racing teammates, as well as six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champ Greg Anderson.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID BEITLER, KRISTA ZIVCIC, ANASTACIA BOHLANDER, CAPRI WESLEY, JESS MILIANTE, DANNY STOGNER AND NHRA

50 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 195