DI164
“ All the Track Will Hold ”
FEATURES 28
32
Tribute : Sonny Leonard
The unexpected news of prolific engine builder Sonny Leonard ’ s January 10 passing spread quickly on social media , where his friends , customers and competitors shared their fondest memories of the southern gentleman . By Nate Van Wagnen
Sticking With It
In the Pro Stick Racing group ’ s 25th season of racing stick-shifted door cars , it was Chris Shaffer taking the season championship in his Mopar-powered ’ 66 Plymouth Fury dubbed the “ S . S . Furious .” By Todd Dziadosz
SPECIAL SECTION
Crowning the Champions
Despite unprecedented challenges at every twist and turn in the 2020 season , drag racing ’ s sanctioning bodies , regional series and touring organizations forged ahead in their quests to crown champions . Our annual look at the men and women who finished on top in 2020 features champions from classes and series ranging from NHRA Top Fuel and PDRA Pro Nitrous to NHRA Factory Stock Showdown and NMCA Nostalgia Super Stock .
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DEPARTMENTS
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DIRT COLUMN
36 WDN 2021 52 On the Road
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With support from CTech Manufacturing and JEGS , the World Doorslammer Nationals is returning to Orlando Speed World Dragway , where the stars of Pro Stock and Pro Mod will race for over $ 100,000 . By Josh Hachat
There ’ s nowhere quite like Florida in the middle of winter for DI columnist Van Abernethy , who learned more about Palm Beach International Raceway ’ s resident alligators during his recent visit .
DIALED IN
Magnolia Dragway
Business partners Tad Reis and Jim Rankl first met at Ohio ’ s Magnolia Dragway in the ‘ 90s , so they couldn ’ t pass up the offer to buy the track in 2011 . By Van Abernethy
ON THE COVER Two-time PDRA Pro Outlaw 632 world champion and 2020 PDRA Extreme Pro Stock world champion Johnny Pluchino as photographed by Cole Rokosky at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie , Virginia .
PHOTOS : VAN ABERNETHY , COLE ROKOSKY
8 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 164