Movers & Shakers: DI #189 Women of Power Issue
The Movers & Shakers section in DI #189 showcases the many individuals that are making a difference on and off the track.
“This bike is challenging in all the best ways. I can feel the power underneath me and it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.” – Jianna Evaristo
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #189, the Women of Power Issue, in July/August of 2024.]
SEND-OFF SMOOCH: Jennifer Boone blows a kiss to her husband, 2018 PDRA Extreme Pro Stock world champion Steven Boone, before sending him down the eighth mile in his Allen-powered Boone Motorsports Cobalt.
HAVING A BALL: PDRA Pro Street rookie Ethan Steding, son of Pro Boost star Kurt Steding, keeps young Tommy Tutterow entertained in the P2 Racing pits at the PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown. The 17-year-old Steding earned his first No. 1 qualifier award driving his roots-blown ‘24 Camaro tuned by Tommy’s father, second-generation tuner Ty Tutterow.
PRACTICE TREE SHOWDOWN: The emotions of victory and defeat are on full display as photographers Darrel Jackson Jr. and Mellie Snedeker square off on the practice tree in Virginia Motorsports Park’s media center during a break in the action at the PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER: Amber Franklin, who’s won PDRA world championships in Pro Jr. Dragster and Pro 632, celebrates a first-round win at the PDRA American Doorslammer Nationals. The daughter of three-time Pro Nitrous world champion Tommy Franklin, Amber is pursuing a second Pro 632 title this season.
WISE WORDS: Three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Angelle Sampey shares a chat and perhaps some pre-run advice with Jianna Evaristo at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. While Sampey now competes in Top Alcohol Dragster, she stays connected to her two-wheeled roots.
SMOKE ON AIR: NHRA on FOX reporter Amanda Busick sits down for an interview with motorsports icon and NHRA Top Fuel rookie Tony Stewart between rounds in the Tony Stewart Racing Nitro pits at a recent NHRA race.
STAGING LANES LADIES: Racers For Christ chaplain Tammie Smith (center) snaps a photo with PDRA Pro Jr. Dragster racer Ava Meloni (left) and NHRA Pro Stock rookie Sienna Wildgust in the staging lanes at zMAX Dragway during the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
FAN FAVORITE: NHRA Funny Car pilot Alexis DeJoria spends time with a couple young fans between passes in her Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas.
FAMILY TRADITION: Conover, North Carolina’s Aus Danner, grandson of local racing legend Lee Danner, comes from an established racing family. Aus began his career in the Jr. Dragster ranks when he was just five years old, winning his first event at Shadyside Dragway not long after he started. Currently 15, Aus plans to continue in Jr. Dragster until he ages out, after which, he’s got his eyes on his dad’s Chevy Malibu, or perhaps a dragster of his own.
GRADUATION PARTY: Kenzie Whitley has had a pretty eventful 2024 thus far, as the Locust, North Carolina, Jr. Dragster racer turned 18 in March, graduated high school in May, and two weeks later won the first Top Sportsman race she ever entered! It took place at Union Dragway on June 1 when she climbed behind the wheel of her grandpa’s Monte Carlo and promptly plowed through the competition on her first at-bat in a big car.
WINDY CITY WIN LIGHTS: Mountain Motor Pro Stock veteran John DeFlorian can’t hold back his excitement after getting out of the GETTREX Pro Stock Camaro he helped build at Jerry Haas Race Cars for Matt Hartford. DeFlorian got the call to drive the new car for Hartford at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals, where DeFlorian upset six-time world champion Erica Enders in the first round.
QUALITY TIME: While motorcycle racing is the family business, young Cairo appears ready to take the wheel and drive while hanging out in the staging lanes with his dad, two-time and reigning PDRA Pro Extreme Motorcycle world champion Chris Garner-Jones, and mom Amayha.
TALKING STRATEGY: Jacie Ensslin, wife of PDRA Extreme Pro Stock young gun Jordan Ensslin, discusses last-minute changes with her grandfather-in-law, Poke County Pro Stock Racing patriarch Larry Ensslin, during the PDRA American Doorslammer Challenge at Norwalk.
THE ORIGINAL WOMAN OF POWER: Four-time Top Fuel world champion Shirley Muldowney poses for a photo with her sidekick, Missy, while signing autographs and meeting fans in the pits at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Over the course of her career, Muldowney has inspired countless women to pursue their drag racing dreams.
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR: NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders accepts her sixth championship ring from NHRA President Glen Cromwell during pre-race ceremonies at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Enders went on to win her first Gatornationals Wally.
This story was originally published on September 5, 2024.
The post Movers & Shakers: DI #189 Women of Power Issue first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
