DI160
“ All the Track Will Hold ”
FEATURES 24
World ( Record ) Beater
Randy Meyer says Bill Reichert ’ s 13-yearold NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster elapsed time world record hasn ’ t been on his radar , but when the opportunity came up to send his daughter , Megan , into the history books with a barrier-breaking 5.09 pass , he took advantage . By Nate Van Wagnen
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Tribute : Mike Kennedy
The North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductee was a lifelong Pro Stock guru , from driving an early Pro Stocker to building engines for drivers who went on to become today ’ s stars . Kennedy passed away Sept . 1 at 73 . By Greg Burrow
Taming ‘ An Animal ’
Once a heavy hitter behind the wheel of a Mountain Motor Pro Stock car , Frank Gugliotta is now focused on tuning JR Carr to his first PDRA Extreme Pro Stock world championship . If the duo happens to record XPS ’ s first official 3-second pass in the process , he wouldn ’ t mind . By Nate Van Wagnen
Jacks of All Trades
In a time where there ’ s a seemingly endless list of different classes , rule sets , power adders , engine combinations and chassis types , it ’ s important for tuners to be versatile , open-minded and ready to adapt . By Josh Hachat
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DEPARTMENTS
CAUGHT !
52 Steve Matusek 54
The NHRA Pro Mod veteran goes for a wild ride in his newlook Tequila Comisario twin-turbocharged Mustang while racing for a prestigious NHRA U . S . Nationals Wally near Indianapolis .
DI COLUMNIST
On the Road
Van Abernethy checks in with Holly Springs Motorsports owner Terry “ Jabbo ” Forsythe as the Mississippi track approaches the five-year anniversary of the devastating tornado that leveled Forsythe ’ s home and business .
ON THE COVER X275 / NEOPMA star and NHRA Pro Mod tuner Dean Marinis as photographed by Rick Belden at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta , Georgia .
PHOTOS : SHAWN CROSE , COLE ROKOSKY , PHIL HUTCHISON
6 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 160