“ We ’ re really excited about this class [ PDRA Pro Street ]. I really think it ’ s going to be something big – a lot of opportunity here .” - JESSE LAMBERT
MOVERS & SHAKERS
GO WEST : Nitro racing veteran Johnny West , known most recently for designing and building specialty parts for nitro cars , got back in the driver ’ s seat of his “ Plan A ” Fuel Altered at the Funny Car Chaos opener .
POOCH AND WILLIE DOG : Track prep guru Jason “ Pooch ” Rueckert , who is working with Duck X Productions this season , poses for a photo with Carolina N / T announcer Willie “ Willie Dog ” Watson on the starting line at South Georgia Motorsports Park .
SUPPORT SYSTEM : Radial vs . the World star Marcus Birt stands alongside one of his biggest supporters , his daughter , Harlie .
RESPECT : John Vergotz ( left ) reaches across the roof of his “ Black Knight ” ‘ 69 Camaro to shake hands with Fredy Scriba , who defeated Vergotz in the opening round of Pro Nitrous competition at the PDRA East Coast Nationals .
JAKE THE SNAKE : Past DI 30 Under 30 honoree Jake Sanders , who walked away from a terrible car accident last summer , is back where he belongs as the crew chief on Allan Middendorf ’ s “ American Outlaw ” Nitro Funny Car .
PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRIS SEARS , JOE MCHUGH AND TARA BOWKER
56 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 167