Castellana
At an historic event at the ADRL’s most prestigious race, Mike Castellana has a chance to make history.
Of course, Billy Glidden also has a chance to match him this weekend at Dragstock IX when the ADRL makes its debut at the incredible zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
With his fourth win of the season in Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified last month at the Summer Drags VIII, Castellana not only matched his win total from his 2011 championship season, but gave him an unbelievable 13 career wins (9 Pro Nitrous, 4 Aeromotive Pro Modified).
That tied him with Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5 driver Billy Glidden for the most in ADRL history and Castellana will be a heavy favorite to pick up his fifth win of 2012 and 14th in his career this weekend at Dragstock IX.
Should that happen, Castellana will inch closer to his second straight world title, adding to an amazing resume that seems to get better by the race.
Glidden, though, could match him with a victory in Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5, but Alan Pittman and his three wins in 2012 might have something to say about that as well.
Either way, Castellana and Glidden’s chase for their 14th win are two great storylines on what is expected to be a thrilling weekend at zMAX.
PRO EXTREME: Can anybody stop the two-car team of Mick Snyder and Jason Scruggs? They’ve combined to win the past five events, with Scruggs winning last month in Martin. Several drivers have made strides, but nobody has been able to top Snyder or Scruggs since the season-opening event.
Another interesting note – Three cars, driven by Todd Tutterow, Danny Lowry and Jose Gonzales, will be turbocharged, creating an interesting dynamic in an already thrilling class.
PRO NITROUS: Can Bob Rahaim match back-to-back efforts of Doug Riesterer and Rickie Jones?
Both Jones and Riesterer have won back-to-back races in Pro Nitrous, and Rahaim would certainly like to join that group. Like every other ADRL class it won’t be easy. Robert Mathis has been impressive and consistent and he would certainly like to take the next step, while Burton Auxier hopes a fourth finals appearance would lead to his first win of 2012.
PRO EXTREME MOTORCYCLE: Is Eric McKinney on an Ashley Owens-type run?
It appears that way after McKinney won his third race of the season with a dominant performance in Martin.
McKinney widened his points lead and hopes to put together a streak that resembles Owens, who is now a crew member on McKinney’s team.
Cary Goforth
EXTREME PRO STOCK: Will we have our first repeat winner of 2012?
Through six races in the tight as can be class, there have been six different winners and a wealth of tremendous performances.
With so many different winners, the class is hotly-contested as well, with Cary Goforth jumping ahead of Richie Stevens Jr. at the last event. It may be hard to predict what will happen next, but it sure will be interesting watching it all unfold.
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT TOP SPORTSMAN: Will we have our first repeat winner?
Dating back to the inception of the class, there has been a different winner at every event, again detailing how close this class has been. Bruce Thrift was the latest winner in Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman, and William Brown III is making a hard charge for the points lead after back-to-back finals appearances.
Undoubtedly, this class just seems to get better by the race.
PRO JUNIOR DRAGSTER: It’s the most lucrative race in Pro Junior Dragster history and it’s fitting to have it at Dragstock, the most prestigious ADRL event.
With a 32-car field, the Pro Junior Dragster Shootout will award nearly $2,000 to the winner. That incentive should make for some tremendous racing in a class featuring a number of young standouts.
Glidden
