Drag Illustrated Issue 154, March 2020 | Page 6

DI154 “All the Track Will Hold” FEATURES 18 Carrying on the Legacy Trevor Larkin grew up at the track with his dad, “Little Tommy” Larkin, and legends like Tom McEwen and Don Prudhomme. Today, he’s carry on his late father’s legacy by working toward a rac- ing career of his own. By Kelly Wade 24 New Focus, No Prep In this very issue last year, former grudge racer Justin “Lil Country” Swanstrom was breaking into the Radial vs. the World scene. After some success in that world, the 24-year-old Floridian is shifting his focus to the ever- growing Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings invitational series. By Craig Cook 26 Best and Worst of Lights Out 11 As usual, the 11th annual running of Duck X Productions’ Lights Out race was packed with all kinds of memorable happenings, from record-breaking small- blocks to the customary flying Radial vs. the World car. The DI team breaks down the biggest moments here. By Nate Van Wagnen 26 76 Roundtable: Pro 275 Stars 76 84 As purpose-built, lightweight race cars continue to infiltrate Radial vs. the World, its younger, smaller-tired brother, Pro 275, is becoming an attractive option for racers and fans alike. Here, some of Pro 275’s stars explain why the class is growing so quickly. By Josh Hachat DEPARTMENTS 50 On the Road DI traveling writer, columnist and subscription slinger Van Abernethy has been to a lot of drag strips – 146 to be exact – but until recently, his list was missing one lone track in his home state of North Carolina – Nahunta Dragway. DI CO LU MNIST 53 The Real Deal Past PDRA Pro Boost world champion Tommy D’Aprile dives into the issue of comparing one’s self to others, explaining why it’s important to strive to be better without using others as a comparison. T H E DE TAILS 84 Dylan Goacher’s ‘Kingpin’ Dylan Goacher collaborated with street car racing legend Larry Larson to build his latest project, the “King- pin” ’68 Nova. By Nate Van Wagnen ON THE COVER Radial vs. the World standout Tim Slavens (center) and tuners Joe Oplawski (left) and Mark “Tydo” Werdehausen as photographed by John Fore III at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, Georgia. 6 | Drag I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com Issue 154 D I COLUM N I ST