DI132
“ All the Track Will Hold ”
FEATURES 38
Bo Goes No-Prep
Defending NHRA Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner had a diverse résumé full of various sportsman classes when he made the jump to Pro Stock . He added another discipline to the list this spring when he made his No-Prep debut in Harry Hruska ’ s turbo Duster . By Josh Hachat
60
60
84
96
No Problem
Louisiana ’ s No Problem Raceway takes advantage of nearly year-round favorable conditions to keep the tires turning for all but two weeks out of the year , creating a racing hotspot on the Gulf Coast . By Van Abernethy
Meet the NMCA Team
Due in large part to the unique cast of characters who make up the NMCA ’ s behind-the-scenes team , the Steve Wolcott-led organization has become one of the world ’ s top drag racing series with its signature brand of street-legal racing . By Ainsley Jacobs
PDRA Season Opener
Some of North Carolina ’ s finest drag racers came out on top when the Professional Drag Racers Association kicked off their 2018 season at GALOT Motorsports Park in Benson , North Carolina . By Nate Van Wagnen
32
96
DEPARTMENTS
DIRT CAUGHT
32 Hot Like Fire 52 Bakersfield Blow-Up 54
Our own Josh Hachat breaks down several reasons why the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by J & A Service is the place to be , with its overflowing fields full of diverse personalities and ultra-competitive hot rods .
German photographer David Beitler captured a fantastic image of a nitroburning Nostalgia Funny Car losing its top at the revered NHRA Heritage Series March Meet at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield , California .
ON THE COVER No-time racing superstar Justin “ Lil ’ Country ” Swanstrom as photographed by Rick Belden at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta , Georgia .
DI COLUMNIST
On the Road
Van Abernethy ’ s beloved column typically dives into the history and lore surrounding the dozens of dragstrips he visits every year , but this month ’ s edition features a thrilling visit to the Florida Everglades .
PHOTOS : VAN ABERNETHY , NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER , TARA BOWKER
6 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 132
DI132
FEATURES
38 Bo Goes No-Prep
Defending NHRA Pro Stock world
champion Bo Butner had a diverse ré-
sumé full of various sportsman classes
when he made the jump to Pro Stock.
He added another discipline to the list
this spring when he made his No-Prep
debut in Harry Hruska’s turbo Duster.
By Josh Hachat
“All the Track
Will Hold”
60
60 No Problem
Louisiana’s No Problem Raceway
takes advantage of nearly year-round
favorable conditions to keep the tires
turning for all but two weeks out of the
year, creating a racing hotspot on the
Gulf Coast. By Van Abernethy
84 Meet the
NMCA Team
Due in large part to the unique cast of
characters who make up the NMCA’s
behind-the-scenes team, the Steve
Wolcott-led organization has become
one of the world’s top drag racing series
with its signature brand of street-legal
racing. By Ainsley Jacobs
96
96 PDRA Season Opener
32
DEPARTMENTS
D I RT
CAU G H T
32 Hot Like Fire
52 Bakersfield Blow-Up
Our own Josh Hachat breaks down
several reasons why the E3 Spark Plugs
NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by
J&A Service is the place to be, with its
overflowing fields full of diverse person-
alities and ultra-competitive hot rods.
German photographer David Beitler
captured a fantastic image of a nitro-
burning Nostalgia Funny Car losing its
top at the revered NHRA Heritage Series
March Meet at Auto Club Famoso Race-
way in Bakersfield, California.
DI CO LU MNIST
54 On the Road
Van Abernethy’s beloved column
typically dives into the history and lore
surrounding the dozens of dragstrips he
vi �]�]�\�HYX\��]\�[8�&\�Y][ۂ��X]\�\�H�[[���\�]�H�ܚYB�]�\��Y\˂�ӈH�ՑT���][YH�X�[���\\��\��\�[�8�'[8�&H��[��x�'H��[����H\��ܘ\Y�H�X���[[�]��]�[ܙ�XH[�ܜ�ܝ�\��[��[��K�[ܙ�XK����YHH��HH�Y�[\��]Y���B�\��YHL̂��Q��T����YHو�ܝ�\��[�x�&\��[�\��Y�X�\���[YH�]ۈ��[�B��ٙ\��[ۘ[�Y��X�\��\����X][ۂ��X��Yٙ�Z\��N�X\�ۈ]�S��[�ܜ�ܝ�\��[��[��ۋ�ܝ��\��[�K��H�]H�[��Yۙ[