“ OUR LITTLE TEAM HAS MADE A BIG IMPACT ON DRAG RACING.”
in excellent photography. Drag racing has so many amazing photographers that are ready to capture amazing moments.
� What’ s your favorite memory of working at DI?
I love spending time with the DI crew. Wes has the ability to draw in amazing people. Because we work remotely, my favorite memories revolve around time spent working in-person. Our entire team squeezing into Nate’ s hotel room putting DI After Hours lanyards on hard cards is high on the list of favorite memories.
� What are you most proud of when you think about your own involvement with DI?
Selfishly, my own personal growth is the thing I’ m most proud of when thinking about my involvement in DI. As my responsibilities have grown, I have been forced to grow and learn beyond my previous abilities. This group has allowed me to excel and learn in a space that is encouraging and supportive.
� HUDSON
� What are you most proud of when it comes to DI’ s involvement in the sport?
The creation and execution of the Winter Series and particularly the World Series of Pro Mod is something that makes me proud. It’ s wild how many Pro Mod racers have participated. Bringing racers together from multiple race series has been magical. Our little team has made a big impact on drag racing.
JT HUDSON
VP of Business Development & Customer Success
� How and when did you join DI?
I don’ t know how many people know this, but Wes is actually married to my sister, Alisha. So that probably explains a lot, or maybe raises even more questions, depending on who you ask.
I’ ve actually known Wes my whole life. We’ re from the same area, grew up around a lot of the same people, and then he went and officially joined the family, which was bold of him. I had owned a bar for quite a while, sold it, and was working in sales and real estate when Wes started mentioning the idea of me coming to work with DI. He brought it up a few times, and finally one day I took him up on it.
Do you have a favorite or most memorable issue?
Man, there have been a lot of good ones. I know it probably sounds like the politically correct answer, but I really do like them all for different reasons.
That said, my favorite cover might be Lyle Barnett standing on the top of“ Beer Money” with a beer in his hand, finger in the sky. That one just had some attitude to it. It felt fun, different, and very drag racing in the best way possible. Like,“ Yeah, we’ re here, we’ re having a good time, and this deal might get a little turned up.” The issue with Jason Harris after winning the Snowbirds was epic as well.
I’ ve also always really liked the World Series of Pro Mod issues. Those are special to me because of what that event means to us, to DI, and to the racers. Any time we get to tell that story and show the energy around that race, I think it’ s pretty dang cool, and the cover shots with the money and champagne... SICK!
“ WHEN PEOPLE SEE THE DRAG ILLUSTRATED LOGO NOW, THEY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. THEY KNOW WE CARE.”
� What’ s your favorite memory of working at DI?
Man, I’ ve got some doozies. There are a lot of memories that probably shouldn’ t be printed, several that might require legal counsel, and a handful that would make you wonder how we ever got anything done.
But honestly, some of my favorite memories are tied to the moments where we pulled something off that maybe people didn’ t fully expect us to pull off. When we first started doing the DI After Hours party and packed out the nightclub, that was huge for me. Seeing everybody show up, have a good time, and realizing,“ OK, this thing has some real juice behind it,” was pretty awesome.
The first World Series of Pro Mod was another big one. That was one of those deals where you step back and go,“ Holy crap, we actually did this.” And then when we brought it back and started doing it again, watching what it has turned into has been unbelievable. Seeing the grandstands full, seeing the racers excited, seeing spectators appreciate it – same with the PRO Superstar Shootout – it’ s hard not to be overwhelmed with pride. It’ s honestly very humbling. � What are you most proud of when you think about your own involvement with DI?
I guess what I’ m most proud of is that I feel like I’ ll jump in and help wherever I can. Wes calls me the Swiss Army knife, and I think that’ s probably pretty accurate. I may not always know exactly what I’ m getting myself into, but if something needs done, I’ m usually going to jump in and try to help figure it out.
But really, our whole team is like that. That’ s one of the things I’ m most proud of. In today’ s world, you hear a lot of,“ That’ s not my job.” Around here, that’ s just not really the mentality.
May / June 2026 DragIllustrated. com | Drag Illustrated | 137