By Rob King

For the Lil’ Gangstas brand – built by Michael Poland and Tom Gunner, a. k. a.“ Jimmy Dale” – the deal represents both validation and momentum. What started as a grassroots, people-first class has rapidly evolved into a coast-to-coast phenomenon, driven by authenticity, accessibility, and an unmistakable sense of community.

“ The Lil’ Gangstas brand is what it is because of the people behind it that make Jimmy and myself look great,” said Poland.“ Strange Engineering took a chance on two young kids trying to find their way into this sport a couple of years ago, and for Jeff and Jake to double down with Lil Gangstas shows their commitment to continuing to grow the sport of drag racing. We’ re excited to continue to push the people’ s class – Lil’ Gangstas – and Strange Engineering to their limits into 2026.”

Dale echoed that sentiment, underscoring what the partnership means to racers on the ground.“ The fact that Strange Engineering has stepped up to be our title sponsor for the year shows how much they believe in the most grassroots class in all of drag racing,” Gunner said.

At the center of the deal is Strange Engineering, one of the sport’ s most respected legacy brands and a company whose identity has always been rooted in supporting racers at the grassroots level.

“ Grassroots racing has always been the lifeblood of drag racing and the backbone of my company,” said Jeff Stange, owner of Strange Engineering.“ The passion, the energy, the vibe that Jimmy and Poland bring to racing is personally motivating for me. When you see what these guys bring to an event, you can feel the brotherhood, the competition, and the excitement it breeds.”

Stange also emphasized the responsibility legacy brands carry in ensuring the future of the sport.

“ As one of the few legacy family brands left, I feel a strong sense of obligation to help younger generations keep the sport enjoyable and reinforce the sense of family and community,” he said.“ It’ s incredible what Jimmy and Poland have built in such a short time. These guys work their asses off. The live events are inspiring to watch, and I’ m just glad to help when needed and be a small part of what they’ re building. This stuff gives me a lot of motivation and continues to fuel my passion for drag racing.”

With the 2026 season on the horizon, the message is clear: wherever Lil’ Gangstas goes, Strange Engineering will be riding shotgun – supporting racers, backing events, and investing in a class that represents the purest form of drag racing competition.

From small-town tracks to major venues across the country, the Strange Engineering Lil’ Gangstas Event Series is poised to carry its grassroots ethos coast to coast in 2026, reinforcing that the future of drag racing isn’ t just fast – it’ s built on people, passion, and community. DI

38 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 199