Drag Illustrated has released Issue No. 202, the 2026 State of Drag Issue, highlighted by the debut of the Drag Illustrated Power 100, a new annual list recognizing 100 of the individuals and groups making a meaningful impact on drag racing today.
The new issue features NHRA Top Fuel rookie Maddi Gordon and three-time Funny Car world champion and team owner Ron Capps on the cover, which was unveiled inside the Ron Capps Motorsports hospitality area at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park ahead of qualifying for the 72nd annual NHRA U.S. Nationals.
At the center of the issue is the inaugural Drag Illustrated Power 100, an expansive look at the people shaping the current state and future direction of the sport. The list reaches across the full spectrum of drag racing, recognizing drivers, team owners, builders, tuners, manufacturers, promoters, track operators, business leaders, innovators, and others whose influence extends throughout the industry.
“The idea behind the Power 100 is pretty simple: who are the people that drag racing would look different without right now?” said Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial Director Wes Buck. “This isn’t a Hall of Fame and it isn’t a lifetime achievement award. There are certainly legendary people on this list who have spent decades changing the sport, but there are also people whose influence has really emerged in the last few years. We wanted to look beyond who wins the biggest races and recognize the builders, business owners, promoters, track operators, tuners, innovators and people behind the scenes who are actively moving drag racing forward. Getting it down to 100 was incredibly difficult, and that’s probably the best indication of how strong this sport is.”
The Power 100 reflects the breadth of modern drag racing, from NHRA’s professional categories and Pro Mod to radial racing, bracket racing, drag-and-drive, motorcycles, and grassroots racing. Its honorees range from multi-time world champions and longtime industry leaders to individuals who have built their influence in only a handful of seasons.
The issue’s cover story, “Betting on Maddi,” was written by veteran Drag Illustrated contributor Kelly Wade and chronicles Capps’ decision to select Gordon to drive the new Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster for Ron Capps Motorsports, as well as Gordon’s rapid rise during her rookie season. The cover image was photographed by Rick Belden at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.
Just months into her Top Fuel career, Gordon emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. After opening her career with back-to-back semifinal appearances, the 22-year-old scored her first Top Fuel victory at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. That same afternoon, her father, Doug Gordon, won in Top Alcohol Funny Car and Capps won in Funny Car, completing a remarkable day for Gordon and Ron Capps Motorsports.
“It is a huge honor to be featured on the cover of the Drag Illustrated Power 100 Issue,” said Gordon, who appeared on the cover of the 2024 DI Women of Power Issue and is a past DI 30 Under 30 honoree. “When Wes explained what the list means and how you get nominated for it, it makes it even more special to be on the cover, especially featured with Ron. It’s just so exciting. This year has been absolutely amazing in every way possible, and to be recognized on the cover of Drag Illustrated for the second time is very, very exciting.”
For Capps, the 2026 season has represented another major chapter in a career already spanning decades at the highest level of the sport. While continuing to contend for wins and the Funny Car championship with crew chief Dean “Guido” Antonelli, Capps expanded Ron Capps Motorsports into a two-car nitro organization and entrusted Gordon with the new Top Fuel program.
“It’s been a dream season so far for both of us and this has only added to it,” Capps said. “When you’re picked to be on the cover of Drag Illustrated, it’s always a big deal because of what Wes Buck and that group have done to keep drag racing so right in front of everybody. In today’s world, it means something to have a print magazine that you can sit down and read about what’s going on in all forms of drag racing. It’s pretty cool to have this cover and cover story as a permanent record of what our group has accomplished this season.”
The pairing also brings Gordon and Capps back to the Drag Illustrated cover at defining points in their respective careers. Gordon previously appeared on the cover of the 2024 Women of Power Issue during her rookie season driving her family’s Top Alcohol Funny Car, while Capps was featured on the 2014 Interview Issue and the 2023 Photo Annual.
“Maddi and Ron really represent two different but equally compelling stories about where drag racing is right now,” said Nate Van Wagnen, Editor-in-Chief, Drag Illustrated. “Ron is a three-time world champion who has already accomplished just about everything you can accomplish as a driver, yet he continues to expand his impact on the sport as a team owner. Then you have Maddi, who is just beginning her professional career and has already become one of the most talked-about young drivers in racing. Kelly Wade’s story goes beyond the obvious success they’ve had this season. It explores the trust Ron placed in Maddi, the foundation she built with her family, and why this pairing has worked so well. It felt like the right story to lead our State of Drag Issue.”
The inaugural Power 100 establishes a new annual snapshot of the individuals whose influence is helping determine where the sport goes next. The 2026 DI Power 100 honorees are:
THE DRIVERS
- John Force
- Greg Anderson
- Antron Brown
- Erica Enders
- Lyle Barnett
- Ryan Martin, Shawn Ellington & Scott Taylor
- Clay Millican
- Travis Harvey
- Matt Smith
- Tony Stewart & Leah Pruett
- Rickie Smith
- Alex Taylor
- Justin Ashley
- Stevie “Fast” Jackson
- Luke Bogacki
- Jim Halsey
- Aaron Stanfield
THE BUILDERS
- Mark Micke
- Pat Musi
- Rick Hord
- Todd & Ty Tutterow
- Murf McKinney
- The Salemi Family
- Justin Elkes
- Jason Terrell
- Steve Morris
- Pete Harrell
- Scott Duggins
- Ryan Rakestraw
- Mark Menscer, Chris Bell & Adam Lambert
- Jerry Haas & John DeFlorian
- Gene Fulton & Stacy Hall
- Travis Colangelo
- Jamie & Renee Noonan
- Larry Jeffers
- Tim McAmis
- Clyde Scott
- Russ & Kellan Farmer
- Tim Hodgins
- Andy Robinson
THE VISIONARIES
- Connie Kalitta
- Richard Freeman
- Jim & Annie Whiteley
- Tommy & Judy Franklin
- Alan Johnson
- Glen Cromwell
- Brian Bohlander
- Keith Haney
- The Pro Line Racing Brain Trust
- Jeff Stange
- Jeff Pierce
- Andrew Hines & Eddie Krawiec
- Darren Mayer
- Brandon Switzer
- Freddie Turza
- Scott Tidwell
- Tommy Cunningham
- Bill Bader Jr.
- Mick Snyder
- Cleetus McFarland & Victor Alvarez
- Raven Justice
- Anderson Dick & Luis de Leon
- Chad Head
- Dustin Hart
- Rickie Jones
- Raul Torres
- Frank Hawley
- Royce Miller
- Jason Johnson
- Craig Liberty
- Kurt Johnson
- Larry Crispe
- Mark Beatty
- Christie Meyer Johnson
- John Sears
- Rollie Miller
- Doug Cook
- Keith Bartlett
THE PROMOTERS
- Peter Biondo
- Donald Long & Stephanie Long
- Tyler Crossnoe
- Chris & Tera Graves
- Chase Lautenbach
- Jennifer Folk
- Mike “The Hitman” Hill
- Jason Miller
- Tom “Jimmy Dale” Gunner & Michael Poland
- TJ Pruitt
- Jacob “Big Jake” Harper
- Corey Stamper
- Tyler Bohannon & Brian Whitworth
THE STORYTELLERS
- Brian Lohnes
- Bobby Bennett
- Tom Bailey & Luke Nieuwhof
- David Freiburger
- Corey Michalek
- Courtney Enders-Hyde
- Elon Werner
Drag Illustrated Issue No. 202 is available now to read free in digital format at digital.dragillustrated.com. Print editions of the September/October 2026 State of Drag Issue will begin arriving in subscriber mailboxes later this month.
The post Drag Illustrated Releases State of Drag Issue Featuring Inaugural Power 100 List, Maddi Gordon and Ron Capps Cover first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
