“ This is the hardest thing I’ ve done in my life. But knowing how far we’ ve already come keeps me going. I know we’ re not far off.”- IDA ZETTERSTRÖM

BACK IN THE SADDLE: Victoria Beaner, who had to step away from a PDRA Pro Jr. Dragster championship bid last season to undergo spinal fusion surgery, is clearly back in her happy place: behind the wheel of her Jr. Dragster.

FOREVER A FAN FAVORITE: Though he is no longer competing on the NHRA Mission Foods Series tour, the iconic John Force remains a major draw in the pits as he signs hero cards at the ropes for fans of all ages at Route 66 Raceway.

POPPIN’ BOTTLES: Reigning PDRA Elite Top Sportsman world champion Glenn Butcher sprays down his buddy and competitor, Bryan LaFlam, in the winner’ s circle after LaFlam won the PDRA Northern Nationals. Butcher sponsored the Power Purse bonus for the event, bringing the winner’ s share to $ 8,000 in Elite Top Sportsman.

FAST FRIENDS: PDRA Pro 632 title contender Lexi Tanner joins longtime best friend Amber Denton for a winner’ s circle photo at the Northern Nationals, where Denton lived a dream: winning a Pro Nitrous final round over her father, threetime world champ Tommy Franklin.

SURFACE SURVEY: Two-time NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion turned nitro Funny Car tuner Jonnie Lindberg uses the traction measuring tool known as“ the KEG” to scope out the racing surface at Route 66 Raceway.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TARA BOWKER, DAVID BEITLER, GARY ROWE, VAN ABERNETHY, LUKE NIEUWHOF AND NHRA

64 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 196