ADRL.us sponsored by Flowmaster

January 29, 2010

Halsey Added to CompPlus Top-20 List

Your Agent was happy to see that ADRL Pro Nitrous star Jim Halsey is the latest addition to the Top-20 drivers list over at www.CompetitionPlus.com.

The countdown to number one continues with a new driver added to the honor roll each Monday and Friday until CompPlus publisher and editor Bobby Bennett reveals his judges’ pick at the season-opening ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI at Houston Raceway Park.

(ADRL/Richards/Tocher photos)

January 29, 2010

2009 ADRL Season Photo Gallery Online

Your Agent suggests swinging by www.BangShift.com to check out a 50-photo gallery featuring a lot of great moments and memories from last year’s ADRL campaign.

Selected by ADRL VP of Publications Ian Tocher from literally thousands of images by dozens of photographers, there are a few familiar snaps in there and many others your Agent is sure he’s never seen before, but they all depict something cool or significant from the 2009 season.

Check it out here.

January 29, 2010

New ADRL Rules and Revisions

Your Agent received notice late last night that several new or revised rules will be in place for all ADRL classes beginning at the Mar. 19-20, ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI in Baytown, TX.

For Pro Extreme Motorcycle, one of the most visible requirements will be the mandatory installation of an “ADRL-accepted engine diaper,” such as the Taylor Motorsports prototype depicted above.

Developed by Taylor with extensive design input from Walt Timblin of Timblin Chassis, the ballistic blanket weighs only about a half-pound, takes about three minutes to install and only 15 seconds or so to open up for clutch service access. The only difference for the finished product, soon to be available through Timblin, will be black instead of gray material.

Additionally, PXM machines are now required to carry at least a half-pound Halon or equivalent fire suppression system and engine-kill lanyards must be made of leather, metal or nylon. No plastic lanyards are allowed.

Your Agent suggests all ADRL competitors in all classes take a good, close look at the updated rules just to make sure they’re in compliance upon arrival at Houston Raceway Park in March.

January 28, 2010

ADRL on SPEED this Saturday

If, like your Agent, you were feeling a little down last year after DirecTV dropped Versus and deprived you of televised ADRL coverage, there’s reason to cheer this Saturday (Jan. 30) at 10:30 a.m. Eastern (9:30 a.m. Central) when the SPEED channel will air the ADRL Pro Extreme Speedtech Battle for the Belts from the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V at Ennis, TX, last October.

Watch the top eight PX points earners from last season go head to head in a winner-take-all battle for ADRL supremacy as part of the Lucas Oil on the Edge series produced by NeWave Video Productions, the same company that puts together the ADRL event shows.

Check out a brief promo clip here.      

January 28, 2010

Scruggs Confirms New Car Coming

Watch for two-time Pro Extreme champion Jason Scruggs to soon be back behind the wheel of a ‘63 Corvette.

Scruggs confirmed to your Agent that Garret Livingston and his crew at Garret Race Cars have “pretty much finished” the chassis for his new ride, but the project is currently “on the back burner until (Jason) Hamstra’s car is ready.”

“Mine will be the next one out the door,” Scruggs said. “We’re shooting to have it out there by Valdosta (Apr. 23-24).”

Meanwhile, the Garret-built ‘68 Camaro that Scruggs drove last year and set both ends of the official ADRL Pro Extreme records with (3.66/207.43) has been updated for this season and currently is at Jeff Hoskins’ shop in Hillsboro, MO, getting repainted.

“We plan on doing some heavy testing in February, either at South Georgia Motorsports Park or south Florida, depending on the weather,” Scruggs said.

He also revealed he’ll be trying out a Lencodrive transmission for the first time during testing.

“I haven’t had a torque converter in about 15 years,” Scruggs told your Agent, adding he’d planned the test even before teaming up for 2010 with Larry and Mick Snyder, noted Lenco experts from their Alky Funny Car days and new owners of the ‘63 Vette that Scruggs broke the eighth-mile 200-mph barrier with at the ADRL’s Dragstock IV in 2007.

“I’ve always been kind of a loner and never really thought about having a teammate before,” Scruggs said. “But me and my dad agree two heads are better than one and Larry makes good power and they have a lot of experience, so I think it can be a real asset for us.”

Looks to your Agent like the Mississippi Missile is getting ready to relaunch in 2010.

(ADRL/Burwell file photo)

January 26, 2010

Rookie Next PXM Star at Star Racing?

Your Agent hears newcomer Anne Hansen will be astride a Star Racing Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM) entry when the 2010 ADRL schedule kicks off with the Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park.

Apparently, Hansen moved all the way from Colorado to Georgia in order to pursue her PXM dreams under the tutelage of Star’s George Bryce and between rider school sessions she’s been racing in the local Top Gas series the last couple of seasons. 

Hansen was spotted recently, though, making test laps on a Star PXM machine at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

With her best pass so far in the 4.20s, Hansen obviously has some riding talent and a quick bike; all that’s missing now is to get some race-going ADRL experience.

You can bet your Agent will be keeping his eye on this rider in 2010 (just don’t tell Mrs. Agent!). 

January 25, 2010

‘Burkster’ Recognized for Motorsports Dedication

Your Agent couldn’t be more pleased to see that Jeff Burk, editor and publisher of www.DragRacingOnline.com and stalwart supporter of drag racing through 35 years of motorsports reportage, garnered his own headlines Jan. 23, at the 43rd annual St. Louis Auto Racing Fan Club Banquet of Champions.

Burk, the original editor of the ADRL’s Adrenaline magazine and long-time friend of ADRL prez and CEO Kenny Nowling, was honored as the recipient of the Dale R. Mueller Award presented annually for “long-term dedication to motorsports through their contributions via the media.”

Burk, a member of the inaugural class of inductees to the Gateway International Raceway Hall of Fame, attended the gala with his wife, Kay, and his mother, but was completely unaware he was to be announced as the winner of what is acknowledged as the highest honor in St. Louis area racing. In an emotional acceptance speech, he thanked the many individuals who assisted his career, (which includes the editorship of many of drag racing’s most fabled publications), and vowed to continue to present recognition of the region’s many racers.

“I’m no different than anybody else in this room,” Burk said from the podium. “I love racing and I’ve devoted the majority of my life to being a part of it. I honestly can’t express how much this means to me, but I’m humbled that anybody would consider me to be in the same league as the past winners of this award”.

Ironically, Burk is directly responsible for the careers of two previous recipients of the Mueller Award, including 2008 winner Joyce Standridge, who sent a letter of thanks that was read to the crowd and an obviously moved Burk.

Congratulations, Burkster! Your Agent can’t imagine a more worthy honoree.

(Bret Kepner photos)

January 25, 2010

Stubbs’ XTF Turbo Vette Nears Completion

Early last December, your Agent posted a couple of snapshots of Randy Whitman’s  ‘63 Corvette to be driven by fellow Texan Eric Stubbs in Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 (XTF) action this year.

Well, a few more photos have surfaced and it’s obvious work has been continuing at Stubbs’ Pasadena, TX, shop and things are looking good for the Terry Murphy-built car to make its ADRL competition debut at the season-opening ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park.

The car features an alcohol-burning 400 cubic incher by Tim Griggs Performance Engines with a single 114-mm Precision turbocharger and backed up by a Rossler Turbo Glide and Neal Chance converter.

January 25, 2010

Team Titan Tests XPS Entry

Your Agent received notice that the Titan Motorsports guys made the short hop over to Bradenton (FL) Motorsports Park last week from their Orlando headquarters for a little test-and-tune session.

Hitting the strip was the ‘07 Cobalt they’ll be running in Extreme Pro Stock with Canadian Mark Martino behind the wheel this season.

After a few suspension adjustments and tuning tweaks, the car made a quickest pass of 4.068 seconds at 176.99 mph, just .018 off the current class record held by Dean Goforth and 1.27 mph short of the speed mark set by reigning class champion Matt Hartford at Ennis, TX, last October.

The team also posted a nice 4.09 test pass, so your Agent expects big things to come out of the Team Titan Extreme Pro Stock effort this year.

(ADRL/Bunsold file photo)

January 22, 2010

ADRL Already Gaining Norwalk Press

Your Agent enjoyed a late-night conversation with Bill Bader Sr., who told him that everyone at Summit Motorsports Park is very excited about the return of the ADRL this coming September.

It also was nice to see the Norwalk Reflector carrying the ADRL press release about the return of the ADRL Ohio Drags IV to the Bader family’s famous facility.

January 21, 2010

BTG: Grooms’ Gallery from Qatar

This time we go Beyond the Guardwall of the Qatar Race Club with ADRL Director of Contingency Tom “Gopher” Grooms.

Grooms and official ADRL starter Dave “Cookie” Cook (left) are among the ADRL crew who made the trip over to Doha, Qatar, to help put on three events on three consecutive weekends for the ADRL-affiliated Arabian Drag Racing League.

In between duties to help racers exit the QRC strip, Grooms managed to snap a few pics for your Agent trapped back at cold and blustery ADRL worldwide headquarters in O’Fallon, MO.

Enjoy his pixelated memories here.

(ADRL/Grooms photo)

January 21, 2010

Qualfying Underway at Qatar Round 5

Like so many ADRL fans, your Agent is following results from the Arabian Drag Racing League via “tweets” issued by ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling.

After two of today’s three qualifying sessions have been completed for Round 5 of the series’ 2009-2010 season at the Qatar Race Club, it looks like Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani (left) leads the way in Pro Extreme with a 3.75 pass at 205.07 mph, followed by the Todd Tutterow-tuned Mustang of Bader Ahli (3.78/203.77), current American Drag Racing League points leader Alex Hossler (3.85/200.26), last week’s winner at Qatar Von Smith (3.96/196.70) and Ali Aryan at 4.02 and 187.94 mph.

Your Agent noticed that all five drivers improved their times from the opening round, so today’s final session should be a scorcher. There will be one more round of qualifying followed by all elimination rounds tomorrow.

In Pro Nitrous, new American Drag Racing League champion Khalid Al-Balooshi currently holds the top spot with a 3.92 at 194.30-mph effort, with Ali Alansari second at 4.63/162.14 and American driver Burton Auxier third after a traction-challenged 6.14 at 115.46 mph.

Follow along with Nowling’s Twitter reports here.

January 21, 2010

Kepner Keepin’ it Real in the ‘90s

Your Agent was doing a little Web surfing this morning and came across this forgotten treasure from 1990 on YouTube.com featuring none other than your Agent’s favorite ADRL interviewer Bret Kepner. (At least the delivery sounds like Kepner, but your Agent could swear he got pulled over by this guy on I-95 in the mid-‘80s.)

Anyway, Kep’s doing the Monster Truck thing in this clip and shows up at the 0:44 mark paired with a co-host who ... well, your Agent will let you judge for yourself.

For more Kepner classics, just type his name into the YouTube search function and enjoy!

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

January 19, 2010

Powerful Response to PJD Pre-Registration

The phones started ringing promptly at 9 a.m. today at ADRL worldwide headquarters as Pro Jr. Dragster (PJD) parents got their dialing fingers in shape trying to get through for 2010 season pre-registration.

Your Agent just stayed out of the way as ADRL office manager extreme Connie Hull deftly handled most of the calls and squared away entries for the ADRL’s upcoming nine-event season.

Remarkably, as of 3 p.m. Central, she told your Agent that the entire season’s pre-registration was almost full with only one spot each left available for the events at Valdosta, GA (Apr. 23-24), Martin, MI (June 11-12) and Norwalk, OH (Sep. 24-25), and she had only four open positions for the season ender at Ennis, TX (Oct. 23-24). 

That’s impressive, no matter how you look at it; only seven of 144 available entries not pre-registered in less than six hours! No wonder everyone here at the ADRL (your Agent included) loves the PJD class. It truly is the future of the sport and we all appreciate the dedication, resources and hard work the Pro Jr. Dragster teams commit to the ADRL series. Be sure to watch your Agent’s entries for any future availabilities, too.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

January 18, 2010

Scruggs Named to CompPlus Top-20

Your Agent is pleased to see two-time American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme World Champion Jason Scruggs recognised today as the latest addition to the Top-20 drivers list over at www.CompetitionPlus.com.

The countdown to number one continues with a new driver added to the honor roll each Monday and Friday until CompPlus publisher and editor Bobby Bennett reveals his judges’ pick at the season-opening ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI at Houston Raceway Park.

Your Agent is on pins and needles with anticipation.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

January 16, 2010

Garrett Camaro Coming for Hamstra

Your Agent was speaking recently with Garrett Livingston of Garrett Race Cars, who said he’s just awaiting delivery of a new ‘69 Camaro body from Cynergy Composites to wrap up construction of a new Pro Extreme car for Jason Hamstra, who destroyed his previous Vanishing Point-built ride in a devastating crash in last October’s Speedtech Battle for the Belts at the Texas Motorplex.

“Our part is pretty much done,” Livingston told your Agent. “All we have left to do is hang the body and get it painted, so it should be ready for (the ADRL season opener in) Houston.”

Earlier, Hamstra told your Agent his family owned and operated team went with Garret because of his reputation for quality and quick turnaround.

“Plus, he built the quickest car out there,” Hamstra said, referring to Jason Scruggs’ record-holding ‘68 Camaro, “so you’ve got to like that.”

(Illustration courtesy of Cynergy Composites/Burke Designs)

January 16, 2010

New Crew Chief for Kirk?

Maybe in 30 years or so, because Extreme Pro Stock star Doug Kirk and his wife, Lisa, are now grandparents!

Their 20-year-old daughter, Ashley, gave birth Jan. 13, to Lillian Paisley Bolyard.

Little Lillian arrived at 5:38 a.m., weighing in at just 5 lbs 1 oz and measuring 18 inches from head to to. Your Agent is pleased to announce both mom and baby are doing well (though he didn’t receive a report on the new dad, Todd!).

Your Agent received the news from a proud uncle, Justin Kirk, who said the whole family couldn’t be happier with the news.

Congratulations from the entire ADRL community on adding to the Kirk team just in time for the 2010 season to get underway.

January 15, 2010

Smith Goes 208.55 MPH!

Color your Agent stunned!

He just learned that Von Smith went an incredible 208.55 mph in a 3.74-seconds win over Bader Ahli in the opening round of Arabian Drag Racing League eliminations at the Qatar Race Club.

Incrementals on the monster run were .986 to the 60-foot mark and 2.548 to half-track.

Your Agent sends BIG congrats to Smith and crew chief Howard Moon for getting it done in style!

(ADRL photo)

January 15, 2010

Campbell Named Dragbike.com POTW

Your Agent suggests checking out the Person of the Week (POTW) feature currently posted over at www.Dragbike.com.

Why, it’s none other than Pro Extreme Motorcycle pioneer Monte Campbell, one of your Agent’s favorite ADRL racers and an unlimited fount of knowledge on all things two-wheeled in nature.

(ADRL/Walter file photo)

January 15, 2010

PJD Pre-Registration Postponed

Your Agent has it on good authority that a revised 2010 ADRL schedule will be released no later than Monday and as such, pre-registration for the Pro Jr. Dragster program this year is being pushed back from tomorow morning (Jan. 15) to Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 9 a.m. Central time.

So take note PJD teams, put those early a.m. phone calls on hold until next Tuesday morn.

(ADRL/Walter file photo)

January 14, 2010

Photo Xtra from ADRL Qatar Rd. 4

Clockwise from upper left: Von Smith, PX; Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani, PX; Alex Hossler, PX; Dan Millen OL10.5. See race coverage here.

(ADRL photos)

January 14, 2010

Nowling All A-Twitter Again

Your Agent sees that Kenny Nowling, president and CEO of the American and Arabian Drag Racing Leagues, is “tweeting” his observations from Round 4 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season from over at the Qatar Race Club.

You can follow along here.

January 13, 2010

Bubba Blasts 4.77 in Qatar

Your Agent was impressed to learn American Drag Racing League Executive VP of Competition Bubba Corzine got behind the wheel of one of Sheikh Khalid’s Super Comp-style dragsters over at the Qatar Race Club on Tuesday and turned a best time of 4.77 at 144.77 mph after initially making a hit of 4.79 seconds at 144.81 mph.

Apparently they have six identically prepared dragsters on hand for laying down rubber for track prep and Corzine, a former world champion driver himself, just couldn’t resist the pull to take a ride.

“Not bad for an old guy,” Corzine quipped to your Agent in a brief phone call from Qatar.

Yeah, not bad at all, Bubba, but you gotta’ work on those reaction times!

(ADRL/Grooms photo)

January 12, 2010

Glidden Gets Married

Well, it took 20 years, but Billy Glidden finally made it official Jan. 5, as he married longtime partner Shannon Springer in an ocean-side ceremony at Baby Beach in Hawaii.

“Billy proposed to me when we were on vacation there last year,” Shannon told your Agent. “We had actually planned to elope, but then we decided to include Billy’s friend, Kenny Perry and his wife, because Kenny was going to be over there golfing. Then the Perrys asked if some of their family could attend, too, and then Etta (Glidden’s mother) and her friend arrived, so there were a few more people than we originally planned, but when it was happening it was just like Billy and I were alone on the beach out there. It was really nice.”

Glidden, the 2008 ADRL Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 world champion, said his mother has always liked the ocean and when they returned home last year she asked to come along the next time he and Shannon went to Hawaii. He said sure, but still never told her or his father (who stayed home in Indiana) that they planned to be married this time around.

“We told absolutely no one about this, not my parents, not her parents, nobody. I just told her that we were meeting the Perrys on the beach at a certain time and she was welcome to come, too, if she liked,” Glidden said. “So her and her friend arrived wearing their t-shirts and shorts, not knowing what was going on, but I think she was glad she came.”

Your Agent sends his most sincere congratulations to the happy couple.

January 12, 2010

Twin ProChargers for Clark Bros

At great risk to life and limb, one of your Agent’s Texas operatives managed to secure this shot of the Clark Brother’s Hemi motor being fitted with a pair of ProCharger F-2s at the LenMar Motorsports shop. The car is the former “Lil Evil” ‘63 Corvette, previously campaigned by Brandon Snider in supercharged trim.

The Arlington, Tx-based team plans to debut their new set-up in Pro Extreme at the ADRL’s Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI on Mar. 12-13, at Houston Raceway Park and Eric Clark is reportedly aiming at becoming the first driver to steer a ProCharger-equipped ride into the three-second zone.

January 11, 2010

‘Tricky Rickie’ Joins Jeg’s

Word came to your Agent from one of his most trusted operatives late this evening that Pro Nitrous standout “Tricky Rickie” Smith (right) has joined Team Jeg’s and will be flying the familiar yellow and black colors this season as a teammate to Troy Coughlin.

Both cars will carry Sonny Leonard power up front and in addition to driving his own car, Smith will provide his extensive tune-up expertise to Coughlin’s ride.

Your Agent suspects another powerhouse team in the making.

(ADRL/Richards file photo)

January 11, 2010

Hernandez Gets Honorable Mention

Your Agent has found yet another reason for ADRL fans to swing by and visit his old compadre Bobby Bennett over at www.CompetitionPlus.com.

With help from a “key group of Pro Modified historians and enthusiasts” (Hmmmmmmm, your Agent’s invitation to join the illustrious group must’ve got lost in the mail.), CompPlus has compiled a list of Top 20 all-time Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous drivers based on their contribution to the classes, historic achievements, statistics and fan appeal.

The list opened on Friday with five Honorable Mentions, of which your Agent was pleased to see included the ADRL’s own Joshua Hernandez, last year’s Speedtech Battle for the Belts runner-up and the winningest Pro Extreme driver in series history with six event titles to his name.

Bennett plans to begin revealing the Top-20 list starting today, Jan. 11, at a rate of two drivers per week until the Number-One driver is unveiled Saturday, Mar. 13, during the ADRL’s Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, TX.

Your Agent will keep you informed of updates.

January 9, 2010

Thompsons Tackle Shark-Infested Waters

Seems the Thompson boys from up Pennsylvania way were blowing off a little steam with a little fishing expedition down in Florida that netted them a 7-foot Golden Hammerhead shark shortly before Christmas.

Your Agent received proof of their conquest from Elliott Thompson (below, left), who pilots the family ‘53 Corvette in Pro Extreme action with help from younger brothers Eric (center) and Evan.

“My brothers and I decided we needed a little rest from our busy work schedule, so we headed out for a little shark fishing aboard the Striker 1, with Captain ‘Mark the Shark,’” Thompson told your Agent. “And after two days of hunting, we were able to make a shark do what we couldn’t make our car do—BITE!”

Good to see the guys retained their sense of humor after a challenging 2009 season!

It’ll be back to business Jan. 21-24, though, as the Thompson Racing Team has an extensive test session planned for South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP), home of the ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI, this year set for Apr. 9-10, at the all-concrete strip in Cecil, GA.

“This will be an eighth-mile, single-lane test session,” Thompson explained. “Racers are welcome to go over to the SGMP website and sign in the attendance list or e-mail me at info@thompsonracing.us. We will be there testing for all four days, trying numerous combinations in anticipation of the first ADRL race out at Houston in March.”

Your Agent may even drop in for a day, too.

January 9, 2010

Congrats to Qatar Winners

Your Agent wants to recognize the accomplishment of current American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme points leader Alex Hossler and reigning American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous World Champ Khalid Al-Balooshi on winning the PX and PN titles, respectively, this weekend in Round 3 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season at the Qatar Race Club.

It was Hossler’s first of three events scheduled for successive weekends in Qatar this month, so your Agent is anxious to see how he fares in the upcoming races.

Kenny Nowling (far right with Hossler), president and CEO for both ADRLs, told your Agent it was “a great event all around,” and the fans in Qatar “wholeheartedly” supported Hossler’s victory.

Your Agent congratulates Hossler and Al-Balooshi for representing their Stateside brethren so well.

(ADRL/Saif photo)

January 7, 2010

Part 3 of PX/PN History Lesson Online

Your Agent suggests doing yourself a favor by reading Bobby Bennett’s third of a four-part series on the history of Pro Modified, precursor to the American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL’s) exciting Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous divisions.

It’s a long read, so you may want to have a favorite beverage on hand, but in your Agent’s humble opinion it’s well worth the time spent to learn a little more about several of the personalities still involved in the ADRL’s performance-leading classes.Mentioned and still active in the ADRL are Jim Oddy, Camp Stanley, Charles Carpenter, Ed Hoover and Bret Kepner, among others.

Don’t miss out on the sidebar stories, too, which contribute important context to the main story.

This one has your Agent’s seal of approval! 

January 7, 2010

It’s a Boy!

Pro Extreme racer and proud grampa, Ellis Vial, sent along these photos to your Agent yesterday, shortly after his daughter Nicole and husband Chris Lantz welcomed Joshua Braidon Lantz to the world.

Mom and son were doing well after young Joshua arrived at 1:28 p.m. and weighed in at 7 lbs 11 ozs, prompting Vial to quip, “I’m going to try and keep him at that light weight so he can drive Paw Paw’s Pro Extreme in 15 years or so!”

Start ‘em young, Ellis, you know that’s your Agent’s policy.

Your Agent is confident he can speak for the entire ADRL community in sending hearty congratulations and well wishes to the entire Vial and Lantz families on this joyous occasion.  

January 6, 2010

Nowling Featured in PRI Mag

Your Agent hasn’t seen it yet, but he was told that Kenny Nowling, President and CEO for both the American Drag Racing League and fledgling Arabian Drag Racing League, is featured with a seven-page interview in the January 2010 issue of the Performance Racing Industry magazine.

For a brief preview, check here.

January 6, 2010

Allen to Fly Unique Colors for Bankston

Your Agent received word today that the David Janes-built, former “Black Ice” ‘68 Camaro purchased by Michael Bankston from Shannon Jenkins late last year will continue bearing the colors of Speedtech Nitrous, Reher-Morrison and Al-Anabi for the 2010 ADRL Pro Nitrous campaign. However, Bankston stressed Bankston Boyz Racing remains an independent team and his other cars will retain unique liveries and sponsors. 

The ex-Jenkins car will continue to be be piloted by veteran driver and 2009 Pro-Nitrous winner Stan Allen and will be fitted with R-M’s new 5.3-inch bore space motor. The Bankston Boyz ZO6 Corvette driven by John DeFlorian will remain with the 5.2 bore space R-M motor, as will a spare McAmis-built ‘68 Camaro in the trailer.

Additionally, Jenkins’ son, Heath, will “have a greater presence in our pits for the 2010 season with emphasis on refreshing and rebuilding the Reher-Morrison powerplants,” Bankston said, and Bankston Boyz Racing will be pitting beside the Al-Anabi haulers for the convenience of keeping critical personnel close at hand between rounds.

(ADRL/McHugh file photo)

January 4, 2010

First Look: New ‘Widowmaker’ Entry

Your Agent just received this image of Bubba Stanton’s new Pro Extreme ride for the 2010 ADRL season.

It’s the same ‘68 Camaro that Stanton drove four times last year in Pro Nitrous trim for original owner Nathan Davis, but now belongs in Roger Henson’s Team Widowmaker stable and Garret Race Cars has just finished installing a new AJ 526 screw-blown Wedge for its upcoming PX duties.

After undergoing a thorough makeover, Stanton said the team’s familiar ‘63 Vette will remain in the trailer as a rolling chassis as it’s relegated to back-up status this season. 

Stanton said crew chief Donnie Sykes and his son Daniel are busy putting the finishing touches on both cars and he expects testing of the Camaro to begin by mid-February in preparation for the Mar. 12-13, Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, TX.

January 1, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Your Agent joins everyone at the American Drag Racing League in wishing all ADRL racers, members, sponsors, fans, media representatives and staff a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2010!

He also wants to remind teams that if they have a new sponsor, new car, new crew chief, new driver, heck, even a new shop dog—to let him know by sending a brief e-mail to agent660@adrl.us. Your Agent needs to know!

Now, let’s get to Houston in March and let the racing begin all over again!