LETTER from the EDITOR
Every year for several years
now , we ’ ve dedicated an issue to the people working behind the scenes to produce the eye-popping numbers you see on the scoreboard . The Crew Chief Issue refers specifically to crew chiefs , but it also includes other mechanical minds . Some specialize in a specific area on a specific type of car , while others are well-rounded and can call the shots on just about anything they can get their hands on .
Leading off this year ’ s look at the sport ’ s best mechanics is “ Mean ” Dean Marinis , who ’ s spent years working his way to the top of the game in nitrous doorslammer racing . From the streets of New York and the slightly less outlaw world of X275 drag radial racing , all the way up to outlaw and NHRA-legal Pro Modified racing , Dean has just about done it all . He ’ s forged a close relationship with Pat Musi , one of the most trusted names in nitrous engines , that ’ s taken Dean ’ s career to yet another level . Once you read Senior Editor Josh Hachat ’ s cover story on Dean , you ’ ll understand why it made perfect sense to put him on the cover of this issue .
In determining who to feature in this issue , we realized the definition of a crew chief has changed over time . Some teams might not have a true crew chief . In the drag radial and Pro Mod ranks , one tuner might make the tuning decisions on a handful of different cars at one event . Technology even makes it possible for tuners to review data and make tuneup calls remotely , allowing a guy to tune an X275 customer in Valdosta , Georgia , while he ’ s getting ready to head to the lanes with an NHRA Pro Mod hundreds of miles away .
Nate Van Wagnen Editor-in-Chief
It takes a unique combination of skills to be a for-hire tuner these days . Josh spoke with a handful of the versatile tuners who seem to have their combinations figured out . He compiled their answers in this month ’ s roundtable feature . He talked to guys like Rickie Jones , who not only builds some of today ’ s top NHRA Pro Stockers and Pro Mods , but also tunes them . His primary gig is calling the shots on Jeg Coughlin Jr .’ s Pro Stock entry , though he spends a great deal of time on the phone with chassis customers like Jay Cox , who credited Jones extensively for getting Cox ’ s Pro Nitrous car sorted out – over the phone – when Cox won on the PDRA tour earlier this season .
On the other side of the spectrum are the guys who focus on one combination , working methodically to improve it over seasons and seasons . That philosophy has worked very well for tuners like Randy Meyer and Frank Gugliotta , both of whom I interviewed for features in this issue after they experienced success with their ultra-focused programs in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster and PDRA Extreme Pro Stock , respectively .
The exciting thing is people from both ends of this spectrum are making their mark on the sport . Hyper-specific experts line up against “ Swiss army knives ” all the time in just about every class out there . Sure , they ’ ll shuffle back and forth in the record books or in the points standings , but there ’ s no clear winner . Both disciplines work .
What will it take to be a top tuner five years from now ? 10 years ? 20 years ? It ’ s an interesting question , one that I ’ m sure some of our 30 Under 30 honorees ( more on this topic in the next couple issues ) will be glad to answer in time . DI
Feel free to email me at nate @ dragillustrated . com and follow me at facebook . com / nitronate1320 and nitronate1320 on Instagram and Twitter .
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8 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 160