John DeFlorian
Saturday started off in fine fashion for both Extreme Pro Stock driver John DeFlorian and Pro Nitrous driver Doug Riesterer at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk.
Both produced great runs during the final qualifying session of the Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags VI presented by Mickey Thompson to take over the No. 1 qualifying spot in their respective classes.
After a difficult Friday, DeFlorian produced an outstanding 4.039 at 179.54 mph, making a major move in what ended up as the quickest qualifying field in XPS history. Scott Hintz finished on the bump with a 4.091, and will meet DeFlorian in the first round, after several drivers were bumped out in a wild fourth session.
With the quickest qualifying field in ADRL history, there’s plenty of great matchups in the first round as well. Points leader Cary Goforth meets Doug Kirk, while Pete Berner and Brian Gahm also face off. Richie Stevens Jr. and David Schorr will race in the first round as well.
In Pro Nitrous, Riesterer produced an outstanding 3.781 at 193.82 mph to move to No. 1. Riesterer became the first driver of the weekend to break into the 3.70s, even while suffering engine trouble during the run.
He will meet John Vergotz in the opening round, while points leader Bob Rahaim will face off with Ray Schuler. No. 2 qualifier Pat Stoken ran a 3.826 moments before Riesterer’s run, and he will meet John Camp to kick off eliminations.
In Pro Extreme, Mick Snyder and his 3.59 stayed as the No. 1 qualifier. Snyder delivered another great pass on Saturday, going 3.60 in the final qualifying run, and he will meet Duane Rister in the first round.
Brandon Pesz set the track record in the class, running 211 mph.
Other great first-round matchups include Jason Scruggs racing Quain Stott, and Frankie Taylor meeting up with Von Smith.
There were no major moves in Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified, Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman, Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5 and Pro Extreme Motorcycle.
In Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman, which has the quickest qualifying field in its history, Joshua Vettel and his amazing 3.975 stayed as the No. 1 qualifier.
Raymond Matos made another consistent run in the 3.90s, as his 3.91 keeps him as the No. 1 qualifier. Jeff Naiser slipped in with a 3.98 and will meet up with Pat Musi in a great first-round matchup. The winner of that race will make a major move in the championship chase.
Adam Flamholc and Todd Tutterow will also meet in a rematch of the finals earlier this month in Memphis.
Dave Vantine is offically the No. 1 qualifier in Pro Extreme Motorcycle for the first time in his ADRL career, as his 4.071 held up. Dave Norris and Terry Schweigert will meet in the first round, while points leader Eric McKinney will face off T.T. Jones as he tries to clinch his first world championship.
Alan Pittman’s 3.911 kept him No. 1 in Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5.
Doug Riesterer
(Photos by ADRL/Richards)
