all our hard work pay off as successfully as it did is an indescribable feeling.
� What are you most proud of when you think about your own involvement with DI?
I’ m 42 years old, and for pretty much my entire life my two favorite things have been drag racing and writing. Turning the two things I’ m passionate about into a career is incredibly rewarding. Over the years I’ ve been fortunate enough to build so many relationships with individuals in this community and share their stories.
� What are you most proud of when it comes to DI’ s involvement in the sport?
The freedom of diversity in coverage that
Drag IllustrateD has. Each person working here has a unique skill set that allows us to bring attention to all forms of drag racing – whether it’ s a high-budget nitro team, or your local weekend warrior running Super Pro at their local track.
VAN ABERNETHY
Senior Staff Writer Field Subscription Sales
� How and when did you join DI?
I found out about Drag IllustrateD shortly after it launched, and I quickly mailed in my subscription dues so I could receive it in my mailbox. That’ s right, I started out as a paying customer!
In the early to mid-2000s, internet forums such as“ Pro Mod Zone” and others were all the
The DI 30 Under 30 List- and its accompanying press conference- have become yearly highlights for writers like Craig Cook( second from right) and Madelyn Marconi( far right).
rage, and I became acquainted with DI founder Wes Buck since he too was a member and frequent visitor to the site. I began posting some of my old IHRA national event photos from the early 1990s and Wes seemed to legitimately enjoy those vintage photos, and he encouraged me to submit some of my favorites to DI for the consideration of print, and many of them were indeed published.
I had dabbled in the world of drag racing media when I was a teenager, and I was suddenly feeling the tug to return. One thing led to another, and in 2007, Wes ended up hiring me part-time to photograph local races here in the Carolinas, and write race reports and
feature stories. I did this for several years before joining DI full-time 17 years ago. It’ s been an incredible journey to say the least!
� Do you have a favorite or most memorable issue?
Issue 100 stands out in my mind because I had the privilege of being extremely involved with the content of that issue. This was in June 2015, and Pro Mod racer Chris Rini( originally from NY) was racing quite a bit in the Carolinas, eventually moving to the Tar Heel State. I was attending many of those Southeast races, and since I was better acquainted with Rini than anyone on our staff, Wes asked me if I would write the cover story that detailed Rini’ s life and career. I was honored to do so, and amazingly, I also had the opportunity to photograph the cover for this issue. Throw in an action shot from my local Mooresville Dragway, which was selected“ Photo of the Month” and it’ s no surprise that this issue is one I’ ll never forget!
� What’ s your favorite memory of working at DI?
That’ s an easy one... sort of: Getting to write my“ On the Road” column in practically every issue since 2011 has produced a litany of memories that could easily rank as favorites... picking just one would be the difficult task! Because of the travel opportunities associated with the column, I’ ve been able to visit 166 different dragstrips to date. Aside from the
� ABERNETHY
“ THAT’ S RIGHT, I STARTED OUT AS A PAYING CUSTOMER!”
140 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 200