Drag Illustrated recently announced the release of Issue No. 201, the July/August 2026 Outlaw Issue, featuring Lil Gangstas co-promoters Tom “Jimmy Dale” Gunner and Michael Poland on the cover. The new issue is available now to read for free in digital form at digital.dragillustrated.com, while print copies will begin arriving in subscriber mailboxes later this month.
The cover story, “Lil Gangstas, Big Dreams,” dives deep into the friendship, struggles, and ambitions that have fueled Gunner and Poland’s rise from Texas racers simply looking for a way to stay involved in the sport to the driving forces behind one of grassroots drag racing’s most recognizable brands.
Lil Gangstas, the small-tire, heads-up 5.30-index eliminator created by Gunner and Poland, has rapidly expanded beyond its Texas origins. After attracting 77 cars at its second race, the class has grown into a nationwide movement, including a three-race championship during the 2025-2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series and a deal to appear at all 16 Street Car Takeover events in 2026.
At the same time, Gunner and Poland have continued chasing their own ambitions in racing. Gunner scored the inaugural Lil Gangstas victory at the 2025 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, then expanded into Limited Drag Radial and Small-Tire competition in increasingly high-profile rides. Poland has played an instrumental role behind the scenes, developing relationships and creating opportunities while the two continue building the Lil Gangstas brand together.
“I couldn’t possibly be more excited for this issue to drop,” said Wes Buck, founder and editorial director of Drag Illustrated. “We’ve been blessed to tell a lot of racers’ stories over 20 years, but stories like this hit different. Both these kids have defied all odds, built something significant in drag racing and done it together – all the while having a blast. No silver spoons or trust funds, just some good ol’ Texas boys chasing the drag racing dream, and I’m 100% here for it.”
The extensive cover feature traces Gunner and Poland’s individual paths into drag racing, the circumstances that brought them together, the creation and growth of Lil Gangstas, and the personal experiences that continue to drive them. It also looks ahead at their plans to expand Lil Gangstas while pursuing new opportunities at increasingly higher levels of the sport.
“There’s things in this story that have never been told publicly,” Gunner said. “Honestly, there’s things that could jeopardize partnerships we have in racing, but those things make me the man I am today – things that keep both Poland and I working hard to drag race for a living every day. Thank you to anyone who ever supported this journey and huge thanks to my right-hand man, Michael Poland, for never quitting.”
For Poland, the cover represents another milestone in a journey that changed dramatically when a 2012 automobile accident left him without the ability to walk. He has since built a life centered around racing, working alongside Gunner to grow Lil Gangstas and pursue the opportunities they once could only imagine.
“Eleven-year-old me would be grinning ear to ear,” Poland said. “Racing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I’m here to tell you dream so big it sounds delusional to everyone else. This month marks 15 years since I lost the ability to walk at 18 years old. Today, I’m on the cover of Drag Illustrated with my best friend. That 18-year-old kid would be so proud of the determination it took to keep going. It’s been a journey of massive ups and downs, but I couldn’t be more proud of the growth not just for myself, but for Jimmy. We’ve traveled the country, met incredible people, and built something truly special.”
Beyond the cover story, the Outlaw Issue features a collection of stories highlighting standout racers and personalities from across the sport’s outlaw and grassroots ranks, including Pro Mod star Travis “The Carolina Kid” Harvey, tuners Lee White and Chris Terry, Street Car Braggin Rights winner Tyler Baber, and more.
Drag Illustrated Issue No. 201 is available now to read free in digital format at digital.dragillustrated.com. Print editions of the July/August 2026 Outlaw Issue will begin arriving in subscriber mailboxes later this month.
This story was originally published on August 3, 2026. 
The post Drag Illustrated Releases Issue No. 201, The Outlaw Issue, Featuring Lil Gangstas’ Tom ‘Jimmy Dale’ Gunner and Michael Poland first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
