DI115
FEATURES 22
J . R . Todd Stays True to the Process
One of NHRA Top Fuel drag racing ’ s biggest stars has paid his dues over the course of the last decade and appears poised for a championship season in 2017 . By Nate Van Wagnen
“ All the Track Will Hold ”
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Back to the Bowtie
After a much talked about and controversial departure from Chevrolet by Elite Motorsports ’ Erica Enders- Stevens and Jeg Coughlin Jr ., thePro Stock tag team is headed back to the manufacturer that saw Enders earn back-to-back championships in one of drag racing ’ s most competitive eliminators . By Rob Geiger
SPECIAL SECTION
30 UNDER 30
Much has been said and written about the aging nature of drag racing , but Drag Illustrated identified 30 worthy young people , each less than 30 years old , who are making a difference and taking the sport into the future .
78 DAN FERGUSON 80 JASON GARDNER 100 KRISTA BALDWIN 106 SHANE WESTERFIELD 113 ALEX TAYLOR 117 JUSTIN KIRK
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DEPARTMENTS
DIRT
38 The Good Ol ’ Days 122
Beloved drag racing aficionado and current director of marketing at performance manufacturer Accufab George Klass details what he believes to be drag racing ’ s “ ultimate era ” of ingenuity and creativity – a time he experienced firsthand – and the way things have changed over the years . By Brandon W . Mudd
CLOSE-UP
Iceman Heating Up
Legendary Pro Mod driver Shannon “ The Iceman ” Jenkins filled in for longtime racing partner Mike Castellana late in 2016 , and appears poised to make a full-time return to driving duties this coming season as Castellana moves into a supercharged team car . Jenkins will be a welcome addition to the fast doorslammer scene .
ON THE COVER Jonnie Lindberg as photographed by Joe McHugh in Benson , North Carolina
PHOTOS : KEVIN COX , DYAN LOVER , NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER
6 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 115