Drag Illustrated is now accepting nominations for its 2026 DI 30 Under 30 list, the magazine announced today. Nominations for the list will be accepted from Wednesday, Sept. 16, through Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Thirty honorees will be featured in Drag Illustrated’s 12th annual 30 Under 30 Issue, the magazine’s November/December 2026 issue. The group will also be recognized during the annual DI 30 Under 30 press conference and induction ceremony at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis on Friday, Dec. 11.
“The 30 Under 30 project is one of the highlights of our year,” said Nate Van Wagnen, editor-in-chief, Drag Illustrated. “It started as a rebuttal to the tired statement that drag racing is an aging sport, and every year since then we’ve seen more evidence of just how many talented, motivated young people are making an impact throughout the sport. They’re driving race cars, tuning them, building them, working on race teams, promoting races, building brands, operating tracks, creating content, and contributing in countless other ways. Our mission with the 30 Under 30 Issue is to recognize those individuals, introduce them to a larger audience, and hopefully inspire the next wave of young people who want to make drag racing part of their lives and careers.”
Past DI 30 Under 30 lists have included two-time NHRA Funny Car world champion Austin Prock, 2025 NHRA Pro Stock world champion Dallas Glenn, NHRA Top Fuel rookie sensation Maddi Gordon, reigning PDRA world champions Ty Tutterow and Marcus Butner, 2026 Spring Fling Million winner Tyler Bohannon, and numerous other accomplished young drivers, tuners, fabricators, crew members, media professionals, track officials, promoters, and industry personalities.
The nomination process is not a voting process or popularity contest. Instead, nominations help the Drag Illustrated editorial team identify deserving candidates from across the sport, including those whose accomplishments may take place outside the national spotlight. Information submitted through the nomination process is also used by the editorial staff during the selection process and in preparing the individual features on each honoree.
“Drag racing has always been driven by people who are willing to put in the work, take a chance, and find a way to make their mark, and we see that same spirit in the young people coming up in the sport today,” said Wes Buck, founder and editorial director of Drag Illustrated. “The 30 Under 30 list gives us a chance to recognize more than just race wins and championships. We want to shine a light on the young racers, crew members, builders, tuners, promoters, media members, and industry professionals who are already making a difference. Some are doing it on the biggest stages in the sport, while others are making an impact at their home track or inside a race shop. They all matter to the future of drag racing.”
The 2026 DI 30 Under 30 honorees will be recognized Friday, Dec. 11, during the PRI Show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The annual ceremony gives honorees an opportunity to be recognized in front of peers, family members, industry leaders, sponsors, and members of the drag racing community.
To nominate someone for Drag Illustrated’s 2026 30 Under 30 list, submit a nomination at www.dragillustrated.com/nominate. Nominations close Wednesday, Sept. 30.
This story was originally published on September 16, 2026. 
