Hi, I’m New Here, Kinda: Dragzine’s Associate Editor Brian Wagner

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I’ve always heard that if you do what you love, you never really have to work, and now I get to test that theory firsthand. My name is Brian Wagner and I’m the new Associate Editor here at Dragzine. I’m a true lover of all things loud, fast, and dangerous, and now tasked with bringing the best drag racing coverage in the world to the best reader base in the world.

_MG_6823Every story that’s ever been told has a beginning in one form or another, and the story of how I landed the opportunity to be the Associate Editor at Dragzine began even before I was ever born.

My father is a lifelong racer and car nut, so you can say that this addiction to racing is really in my DNA. Some of the earliest pictures of me are at a race track as a child wearing my dad’s helmet or sitting in his 1967 Nova.

My childhood was filled with bracket racing at tracks in Northeast Ohio, family vacations to the NHRA Spring Nationals in Columbus, and just growing up around racing. Spending all of that time around drag racing during my formative years helped forge a true passion for the sport that will never leave me, ever.IMG_5863

Now, I did go and do my tour of duty in the academic world like you’re told you should. But, even during college, I couldn’ stay away from racing because of the bond it has with my friends and family. There were trips to Norwalk for the NHRA national event, local street car shootouts that I raced in with my friends, and even my roommates in college were all car nuts. Heck, my friends even did part of my bachelor party at a Super Chevy Show … that’s how hardcore we are when it comes to racing.

After college, the siren’s song that drag racing sings brought me back again, with more racing and new friends, and I even picked up a camera to start shooting events. The next thing I knew, people were telling me to submit my images to be used in print or online publications. That led to even more time spent at the track, and soon, I was doing freelance work for the editors at Dragzine.

Ray Litz 2Besides spending time writing about drag racing, or taking photos at the track, I also get to crew for Ohio racer Ray Litz on his car that runs in Street Outlaw in the NMCA and in X275 at all kinds of events around the country.

Over the years, I’ve been able to help Ray win races, a championship, and learned how much hard work goes into making a heads-up race car work.

Then, there’s my own car — a 2000 Pontiac Trans Am known as the “Red Dragon.” Yes, the restrictor plate has been removed, but please keep that on the down-low. The car is just your average 10-second, nitrous-huffing street car that I’ve had help in building from one of my best friends — another friendship born from racing. Hopefully, the Dragon will be flirting with the 9-second zone soon, and you might even see it make an appearance on Dragzine as a project car in the future.

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Over the years, I’ve seen virtually every major form of racing you can think of, from Outlaw Sprint Car races to the National Tractor Pulling Championships  — if its got an engine in it, I’m down to see it do something badass. But when it comes to drag racing, and my specific tastes in drag racing, they’re best described as numerous and wide.

_MG_7769Sure, it’s fun to check out the big show nitro cars and all the sensory overload that come with it, but I’m also okay with seeing some top level bracket racing, as well. I just love being at a race track, surrounded by racers and fans, and taking in the on-track action.

So, enough about me, how about we talk about what’s in store in my new role here.

My goal is, pure and simple, to bring you the best content, features, and photos in the industry. I was born a track rat, and was a fan before I got this gig, so I’m going to bring you stories from that angle.

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We’re nothing without you, the reader, so I want to be sure and give you the kind of stories that appeal to you. Don’t be afraid to stop me at the track and give me some feedback to help make Dragzine better, or to pitch a story that you think is just begging to be told. I’m here for you and want to create an engaging reading experience that you look forward to with each and every click.

Being able to do something that I’m truly passionate about is amazing, and I plan on maximizing this opportunity every day. I hope that my love for drag racing bleeds through into my writing, photographs, and onto the digital pages of Dragzine for you.

Until next time, put it in the beams, lay on the chip, and let it rip …

About the author

Brian Wagner

Spending his childhood at different race tracks around Ohio with his family’s 1967 Nova, Brian developed a true love for drag racing. Brian enjoys anything loud, fast, and fun.
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