DI197
“ All the Track Will Hold”
FEATURES
SPECIAL SECTION 30 UNDER 30 2025
Marking its 10 th edition, the DI 30 Under 30 List spotlights 30 of drag racing’ s most impressive and influential young talents. This year’ s class is as wide-ranging as ever, highlighting drivers, crew chiefs, track officials, media professionals, fabricators, and other standout contributors representing multiple categories, series, disciplines, and even countries.
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John DeFlorian’ s Real Life
A quarter-mile lifer in every possible sense, Mountain Motor Pro Stock world champion John DeFlorian has spent nearly 50 years chasing – and living – the dream. In this first installment of Bret Kepner’ s expansive, 12,000-word chronicle, the St. Louis native’ s journey unfolds from street car beginnings to Pro Stock ambitions.
Sick Smokies
Edelbrock Sick Smokies brought together gassers and drag-and-drive diehards for a weeklong tour of the Smoky Mountains and beyond. With packed stands, wild runs, and scenic drives – including the legendary Tail of the Dragon – this one-off event delivered chaos, character, and unforgettable memories. By Luke Nieuwhof
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DEPARTMENTS
TRIBUTE 48 Keith Berry
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Bold, brilliant, hilarious, and impossible to ignore, small-tire superstar and Wooostock promoter Keith Berry left behind a legacy built on determination, showmanship, and heart. DI remembers the man behind the WOOOO! By Nate Van Wagnen
ON THE COVER NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rookie Brayden Davis as photographed by Rick Belden at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.
DI COLUMNIST
On the Road
DI columnist Van Abernethy travels to Northeast Dragway in his home state of North Carolina and turns the visit into a full Outer Banks adventure, complete with history, lighthouses, seafood, and beachside camping.
PHOTOS: CASEY COTNER, JOE MCHUGH, LUKE NIEUWHOF
6 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 197