Drag Illustrated Issue 139, December 2018 | Page 106

30 UNDER 30 · 2018
JAKE
SANDERS
■ JAKE SANDERS CAN’T HELP but smile these days. He has his own busi-
ness, races with his dad and is part of a championship Top Fuel organi-
zation. More importantly, the 29-year-old is at the dragstrip nearly every
weekend, and that is his definition of an ideal life.
“I never dreamed in a million years I would get to do what I do now,”
Sanders says. “I get to go racing every day. I love being at the track. If
somebody said you can go to the track every day the rest of your life, I
would say, ‘you’re the man.’ I never get tired of going to a race.”
That enthusiasm is one reason why Sanders is on Drag Illustrat-
ed’s 2018 30 Under 30 list, but it’s a tireless work ethic and desire to be
around the sport that continues to drive him.
He helped his father, Mark, build a nostalgia Funny car a decade ago,
quickly was handed the tuning reigns and his life has been non-stop drag
racing ever since. In that time, he’s continued his crew chief duties with
his father, picked up his A/Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Car licenses over the
years, spent time in Europe to work on Top Fuel cars, worked with Bobby
and Dom Lagana and has been a crew guy for Torrence Racing the past
two years. He worked with 2018 Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence
a year ago, moving into a role with Torrence’s father, Billy, this season.
It’s been a whirlwind ride that Sanders has enjoyed every minute of,
but his own motor never stops and he’s been quick to take advantage of
every situation that has come his way.
“I see every weekend at the race as an opportunity to learn,” Sanders
says. “That makes me a more valuable crew guy and a better tuner. My
dad, I can’t thank him enough. He believed in me and I’ve been very
fortunate to capitalize on opportunities given to me.”
That included starting his own fabrication/engine block repair/chassis
shop three years ago. It continues to grow and 2018 was Sanders’ best
year yet. He worked on 100 blocks for the Torrence team this season,
while also building Nostalgia Funny Cars for Matt Melendez and Lyle
Greenburg, and the American Outlaw Fuel Altered for Allan Middendorf.
In short, Sanders doesn’t have to worry about his dreams because he’s
already living them.
“It’s been a wild ride and a lot of work, but I wouldn’t trade it for any-
thing,” Sanders says. “I’ve been very fortunate in my life with the people
I’ve met along the way. Without Bobby and Dom, I probably wouldn’t
know half the things I do and be the tuner I am, and Torrence Racing is
probably the greatest place I’ve worked. It’s all made me a better tuner
and a better worker.” – J O S H H AC H DI
AT DI DI
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106 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
Issue 139