ADRL.us - Agent 660 Notes

February 29, 2008

Tutterow Takes on Pro Nitrous

Todd Tutterow, a longtime mainstay in the ADRL Pro Extreme ranks, will be at the controls of Randy Weatherford's Pro Nitrous '06 Cavalier (above) at the ADRL's Drag Illustrated Dragpalooza IV next weekend at Houston Raceway Park. Weatherford also will compete in the class with his brand-new Jerry Bickel-built '68 Camaro, with both cars receiving backing from WS Construction and Mesco. (ADRL/Tocher file photo)

February 28, 2008

Headhunter Returns!

The natives were restless in Houston today as word of The Headhunter's return spread like a brush fire across a drought-stricken plain. Your Agent wasn't lucky enough to be there for the assault, but operatives in the vicinity sent along some quick snaps that indeed prove Thomas Patterson and his Headhunter Pro Extreme team are back in action. Driver Billy Gibson shook down the Patterson family's new Vanishing Point-built '70 Superbird and crew chief Bill "Doc" Barrett said he was pleased with how the car worked straight out of the box. Though the screw-blower-equipped Hemi would normally be turning 7,000 or so rpms at launch, Barrett said he had it leave today at just 5,500 rpm and recorded a 1.05 60-foot time followed by an early shutoff 2.85 at the 330-foot marker. "Hey, it went straight and that's about all I can ask for on its first run," Doc said. "It'll be bad fast come Dragpalooza out here next weekend."

Barney Squires applied the distinctive Headhunter livery that attracted as much attention as the car itself. "This car is immaculate, a true work of art and a great example of the level of cars we're seeing being built for ADRL competition right now," said ADRL President Kenny Nowling, who was on hand for the car's debut. "I can't tell you how excited I am to have the Pattersons back in the ADRL."

The Patterson team plans to campaign two cars in Pro Extreme this year, the 'Bird and a '53 Corvette, both done up in distinctive Headhunter trim and piloted by Patterson and Gibson. When asked what he thought his chances are contending for the ADRL Pro Extreme Battle for the Belts world championship this year, Patterson simply grinned from ear to ear--just like a Headhunter. (Photos courtesy of Seth Angel/Houston Raceway Park)

February 28, 2008

First Look - Reese Gets Wrapped

With its wild, new wrap finally in place, David Reese's '02 Mustang looks ready to take on the ADRL's best. The car is motivated by a Proline Race Engines 600 cubic incher fitted with the first twin-Procharger crankdrive ever built. Reese originally intended to go Extreme 10.5 racing with the Tommy Mauney-built 'Stang, but with plans to enter local outlaw Pro Mod and Quick 8 races this year, he's decided instead to enter the Pro Nitrous class since that will require working out only one combination for a "big tire" configuration. Your Agent wishes he could join Reese for testing tomorrow at Alabama International Dragway, where ADRL Extreme 10.5 star Mike Hill and Outlaw 10.5 racer Tim Lynch also are expected to lay down some numbers. 

February 28, 2008

Bailey Trucking Helps Smith Return to ADRL Action

When "Tricky Rickie" Smith opens his 2008 racing season at the Mar. 7-8 Drag Illustrated ADRL Dragpalooza IV at Houston Raceway Park, his Pro Nitrous '63 Corvette will be displaying new associate sponsorship from Bailey Trucking. "I'm definitely excited and] grateful to Bailey Trucking for coming aboard and helping me out," the veteran driver/tuner said. "I have been busy here lately, helping numerous different race teams all over the world, literally, so it feels good to know I'll be back behind the wheel for a while." Smith, from King, NC, has so far reached three ADRL final rounds, but has not yet secured that first victory in the Pro Nitrous ranks. "This Corvette is pretty hateful on the racetrack, so I can't wait to get out there and run in the ADRL again," he stated. "It should be quite interesting." (ADRL/Tocher file photo)

February 27, 2008

National Guard Takes to the Track

ADRL Pro Extreme star Joshua Hernandez finally got to make his first test laps with the Team Rage '57 Chevy in its new National Guard livery Feb. 25, at South Georgia Motorsports Park, near Valdosta, GA. The team apparently ran a best of 4.05 at 188 mph in shakedown trim, but tuner Troy Critchley was said to be "happy" with the results of the day. Team Rage crew chief Jim Oddy was unable to attend the test session due to the recent death of his mother. Your Agent joins everyone at the ADRL in offering sincere condolences to the entire Oddy family. (Photos by Marvin T. Smith) 

February 27, 2008

ADRL EXCLUSIVE - Beware of ‘Black Ice’

Your Agent pays attention when "The Iceman" cometh! These super-secret snaps arrived via late-night courier with specific instructions to let the ADRL Pro Nitrous world know that Shannon "Iceman" Jenkins is concentrating on one thing this year--getting his name back to the top of the qualifying lists and in the final round as often as possible. Chassis builder and ADRL Extreme 10.5 competitor David Janes recently took on the task of helping Jenkins achieve these goals by building this brand-new, super-lightweight,  titanium, carbon-fiber, aluminum and chrome-moly filled '68 Camaro at his Macon, MO, shop. Powered by a Reher-Morrison engine and boosted by Speedtech Innovative Nitrous, with Jenkins' wealth of knowledge they're expecting the combination to be as lethal on the 1/8th mile as black ice on the highway.

February 23, 2008

ADRL’s Halsey Wins DI ‘Drag the Vote’

ADRL Pro Nitrous star Jim Halsey won Drag Illustrated's unique "Drag the Vote" contest, in which DI readers and Internet visitors recently voted for the driver they most wanted to see profiled in a cover story. Halsey, the Pro Nitrous winner at Dragstock IV last September at Rockingham Dragway, is poised to be a serious contender for this year's Battle for the Belts world championship. "We're going to focus even more of our time and effort on the stars of the American Drag racing League in 2008," DI publisher and editor Wes Buck stated. "We've got features, company spotlights and a wealth of race coverage planned." For more information or to subscribe, visit Drag Illustrated online at www.dragillustrated.com.

February 21, 2008

Martin Adds Seats to Accommodate ADRL Fans

Your Agent hears Knoll Gas Motorsports Park in Martin, MI, is replacing the last of its wooden bleachers with aluminum high-rise grandstands just in time for the June 6-7, 4th annual AMS Staff Leasing ADRL Summer Drags. With the new grandstands reaching 30 rows high, seating capacity at the west-Michigan strip will increase by 3,200 to accommodate approximately 23,000 total spectators. Brings to your Agent's mind a variation on the old saying: "We'll build you the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge!"