The random chip draw that determines pairings at many Lil Gangstas races contributes to the competition aspect as well as the entertainment value of the class.
at Lil Gangstas in itself, if that brought out 500 more people over the last year or so that either haven’ t raced in years or that’ s how they got involved in the sport, that’ d be a big win for me.”
The guys are also eager to continue racing with Kohler Racing and the Miller family in Small-Tire. Poland says“ the‘ Blower Boys’ are just getting started” mixing it up with competitors that include drag radial veterans and former No Prep Kings stars, adding a Texas grudge racing flair in the process.
“ We’ re almost misfits in a suit-and-tie world over there with the Radial Outlaws or some of the IHRA stuff,” Poland laughs.“ And then you have me and Jimmy Dale are the guys that walk in with the tuxedo T-shirts.”
Poland then slips his“ agent” hat back on as he describes his ultimate goal for the year: have Gunner in a Pro Mod by the end of the year.
“ That’ s kind of where his head’ s been – he really wants to drive a Pro Mod,” Poland says.“ I’ ve been doing my part on my end trying to work this deal or work that deal, whether it be with sponsorships or team owners or this or that. Hopefully by Winter Series, my boy’ s in a Pro Mod and we’ re Pro Mod racing. We’ ve won at everything else that we’ ve done, so to win in Pro Mod would be the logical next step.”
Poland and Gunner talk big goals, but they also appreciate how far they’ ve come and they know they didn’ t get here by themselves. They shouted out sponsors like Strange Engineering, BTR, FuelTech, Nitrous Express, and Tin Soldier Race Cars, as well as the individuals who’ ve played a part in their stories, individually and collectively.
“ Me and Tom are everyday people,” Poland insists.“ We do the same things that everybody else does. We just have a great opportunity to race for a living and that’ s because of the fans, the sponsors, and all the people that are behind us. We have an incredible group of people that push us and support whatever we do and listen to our crazy ideas. That goes for our moms, our ol’ ladies, everybody involved that makes it happen. It’ s the support system behind us that really makes Jimmy Dale and Poland what they are.”
“ My older brother, Jeremy, took me to my first drag race. I really appreciate him,” Gunner begins.“ My lady, Mo Dale, has supported any and all drag racing for a living since day one. She’ s always been my ride or die. My mom watches the live feeds every weekend. She thinks it’ s extremely dangerous, which it is, but thanks for worrying about me. Thanks to Lloyd and Unc for putting up with me as a kid in their shop when they were racing Texas True 10.5. Thanks to Jason Waterman for being the best mentor and tuner on the planet. Thanks to Old Man Garage, Bill Hoskinson, for pushing me to start my YouTube channel. Thanks to Barrett Green and Michael Hollis for giving me the first opportunity to get on Street Outlaws. Thanks to all the car owners who trust me behind the wheel, and thanks to Michael Poland.”
For two kids who grew up at the racetrack, dreaming up ways to keep coming back, it’ s almost overwhelming to look at where they’ re at. They’ re driving and flying to races all over the country nearly every weekend. They’ re putting on their own events. They’ re partnering with some of the most recognized promoters and tracks to join other events. They’ re locking in deals for Gunner to drive top-shelf equipment. And what’ s more, they’ re doing it all together.
“ I’ m proud of how far we’ ve come,” Poland says.“ We were racing in parking lots for 500 bucks and selling weed – I mean flowers – to be where we’ re at today. We got introduced to the Tin Soldier guys and me and Jimmy found our faith together, kind of got led back to Jesus. The opportunities that have been presented to us, it’ s just a night-and-day difference from five years ago to today and being able to actually do it for a living. We’ re not out here making millions of dollars. Half the time we barely scrape by to make some of the stuff that we do, but I get to do it with my best friend and I literally drag race for a living. That’ s what I’ m most proud of. I legit don’ t have to worry about a nine to five. I do this for a living.”
“ Man, we set out doing all this just trying to figure out how to drag race for a living,” Gunner concurs.“ That’ s it. And we’ ve done that. We’ ve accomplished our goal, which was drag race for a living. I still have it on my YouTube. It says,‘ Chasing the dream of racing for a living.’ That’ s all we’ re doing.” DI
100 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 201