MOVERS & SHAKERS
EXPLOSIVE
Mocksville , North Carolina ’ s Chad Tilley has won many races over the years at his local Farmington Dragway . In the mid 2000s Tilley also enjoyed success on the heads-up circuit , winning everything from Big Dog , Mad Dawg , as well as the Mean 16 series at MotorMile Dragway in Virginia . For 2016 , Tilley unveiled a 1996 Chevy Beretta out of the Donnie Gibbs Race Cars shop . The car is motivated by a 632 c . i . engine with a single nitrous system , with which Tilley plans to race in various 4.70 series events around the Carolinas , as well as the occasional bracket race at Farmington .
FOLDING LAUNDRY Fourteen-year-old Evan Salemi packs the parachutes on James Beadling ’ s supercharged Chevelle , tuned by his father , Jon Salemi . In addition to packing ‘ chutes , Evan also helps with general maintenance and backs up and brings Beadling into the staging beams .
SPANKY New York businessman Dave Hance was in attendance at Maryland International Raceway ’ s World Cup race in November , first making test passes in Mark Wells ’ Mustang . He then hopped in his trusty old Outlaw 10.5 car , nicknamed “ Spanky ”, to compete in the event , though a hurt motor prevented him from moving on to Sunday eliminations .
LISTEN UP Pro Line Racing ’ s inhouse turbocharger whisperer , Steve Petty offers his input as track prep expert Kurt Johnson listens intently before returning to his position on the starting line at Gateway Motorsports Park during the Street Car Super Nationals ‘ Anarchy at the Arch ’ race .
MS . JACKSON Anne Jackson was hooked on drag racing from the very first time she visited North Carolina ’ s Mooresville Dragway nearly three decades ago . She ’ s racked up many wins over the years including eight track championships , although the most enjoyable thing she experiences these days is watching her 11 year-old-grandson race his Jr . Dragster . “ If he stays out of trouble and keeps getting good grades , I ’ ll put him in my 1968 Camaro someday !” smiles Anne .
48 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 117