Best Of 2011: Pro Extreme Motorcycle

With 2011 coming to a close, it’s time to look back at what a wonderful year it was in the ADRL.

There were record-breaking and memorable performances all around and we will dive into each class, looking at the top five (and maybe more) moments in every category.

Today, it’s Pro Extreme Motorcycle, which delivered unbelievable action all year.

1. Owens Does It All: It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the incomparable Ashley Owens would top this list.

Owens set the ADRL record for most career wins (13) with his second straight banner year, ending the season in championship fashion with a world championship and the Battle For The Belts crown.

Owens also won four times, became the first rider to reach the 3-second mark and was truly superb in one of the best seasons in ADRL history.

2. Vose Gets Win, Ends The Streak: Billy Vose became the first rider to beat Ashley Owens in 2011, getting him on a holeshot at Dragstock in September.

It was a huge moment for Vose, who ended up being routinely in the 4.00s in the latter half of 2011. The holeshot victory proved the riding prowess remains and Vose, a two-time ADRL world champion, could be better than ever in 2012.

3. Schweigert Gets His First: One of the lasting moments of 2011 in the class was seeing the beaming smile on Terry Schweigert’s face after he won his first ADRL event at Heartland Park Topeka in June.

Schweigert came close so many times in 2010 and to finally break through in 2011 meant a great deal to the Canadian-based team.

4. Teasley Becomes An Immediate Contender: Jeremy Teasley had plenty of success riding bikes before coming to the ADRL, so maybe his instant success shouldn’t have been a surprise.

Still, Teasley impressed immediately, earning the No. 1 qualifier in his first race and winning in his second. Riding Rob Hunnicutt’s bike, Teasley was quickly in the 4.00s and immediately a contender.

5: Van Tine Victorious: Not many saw it coming, but Dave Van Tine always believed he was capable of winning an ADRL event. That belief turned into reality with a tremendous performance at the World Finals VII in October.

There, VanTine made it into the 4.00s for the first time, overcoming a stacked field and the biggest gathering of bikes in the ADRL in 2011. He finished with his first victory and enjoyed his first ADRL Minuteman.

BONUS: Massive Fields, Record Fields: This class was simply too good in 2011 to have five top moments, so they get a sixth. As the class proved throughout the season, it has never been stronger with the best seemingly to come in 2012.

If that happens, it will have topped an amazing 2011, which saw record performances throughout. After a record qualifying field in Virginia in August, the class took a huge leap in Dallas two months later, as 26 bikes tried to qualify. All 16 that did ran in the 4.10s, a remarkable feat and a true indicator of the strength and viability of the class.

Honorable Mention: Two finals appearances from Casey Stemper, Carlos Wilkerson and Eric McKinney; Finals appearance from Travis Davis and Kim Morrell; A slew of first-time runs in the 4.00s.