Pat Musi
To be certain, there is still plenty up for grabs in nearly every class heading into the ADRL World Finals VIII presented by CarSafe, which takes place Oct. 19-20 at Texas Motorplex in Dallas.
Here is a glimpse at each championship chase in every class and what could transpire at the Texas Motorplex.
We will have a full breakdown and detailed scenarios in the next week, but here’s the skinny on who still has a chance to bring home a world championship in Dallas.
PRO EXTREME
This is now officially a two-car teammate vs. teammate chase, as Jason Scruggs trails Mick Snyder by just 6 points. Remember, every round win in the ADRL is worth 100 points, meaning only qualifying points separate the two dominant drivers in the class.
Now, it will be winner-take-all in Dallas or, more specifically, winner to whomever goes the furthest during eliminations.
It doesn’t get much better for fans than going into the final race with things nearly deadlocked and it only ensures plenty of exciting action will take place between the teammates in Dallas.
PRO NITROUS
Bob Rahaim’s dream season continues to take shape and he is one the cusp of a championship after winning his second straight race and third overall in 2012, doing it in workmanlike fashion in Norwalk.
Doug Riesterer is second in points (453 points back) but it’s essentially a 700-point lead
Rahaim
That means all Rahaim has to do to clinch is show up in Dallas and have his car pass tech. It surely seems like one big party is awaiting Rahaim and his team in Texas.
MICKEY THOMPSON EXTREME 10.5
This is another case of where the work is nearly done for Alan Pittman. He leads Billy Glidden by 603 points, which makes it nearly impossible for Glidden to win a championship if Pittman simply shows up in Dallas.
Should Pittman attend Dallas – and all signs are that he will since he’s been to every race thus far – Glidden will need a 16-car XTF field and will need some record-breaking performances to catch Pittman. Meanwhile, Pittman is the heavy favorite to clinch his first ADRL championship.
PRO EXTREME MOTORCYCLE
Eric McKinney has his ADRL world championship and he has it in dominant fashion after he won his fourth straight race and sixth overall in 2012 at Summit Motorsports Park.
McKinney has more than 4,000 points this season and has put together one of the most incredible runs in ADRL history, officially clinching the title at the Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags VI presented by Mickey Thompson.
EXTREME PRO STOCK
Cary Goforth is still a big favorite to win his second straight world championship, but as Norwalk proved, anything can happen.
He leads Richie Stevens Jr. by 435 points, meaning there is still work to be done. Stevens will need to win the World Finals presented by CarSafe, and then hope for some help, like Goforth not qualifying or losing in the first round.
Of course, that could happen – it did last weekend in Norwalk – but Goforth will be determined as ever to win another title.
AEROMOTIVE FUEL SYSTEMS PRO MODIFIED
This is where it gets really crazy. Technically, Mike Castellana leads Jeff Naiser by 121 points. But Naiser is in line to earn the 250 bonus points, meaning he hypothetically has a 130-point lead when he shows up in Dallas.
After advancing to the finals in Norwalk, Pat Musi is also very much in the mix, trailing Naiser by just 150 points once bonuses are factored in.
With 3 drivers within reach of a title, this will be one to watch in Dallas.
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT TOP SPORTSMAN
Three drivers are also capable of winning this amazing class in Dallas as well.
Marco Abruzzi will try to ward off both William Brown III (278 points back) and Ronnie Davis (340 points back) to win his first ADRL championship.
Davis is rolling after winning his second event in three races, but Abruzzi has advanced to two straight finals and will gain the world title with one more performance like that.
PRO JUNIOR DRAGSTER
Alexander Oppen continues to hold onto a slim lead in the class over Jackson Core (194 points), but there’s plenty that could happen in Dallas.
Abruzzi
