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March 31, 2010

Auto Meter Renews ADRL Contingency Program

Your Agent was asked to point out that Auto Meter is the latest company to renew its commitment to the ADRL’s ever-growing contingency program, offering $300 to event winners and $200 to runners-up in the four car classes (PX, PN, XTF, XPS), who run one of their data acquisitions units and sport Auto Meter decals. 

Also, just a reminder that the Mickey Thompson drive tire contingency offer applies to Pro Extreme Motorcycle, too. 

March 30, 2010

Find Out How a Clutch is Made

Your Agent has always marveled at how all that horsepower and torque in an ADRL entry gets transmitted to the rear wheels and though he may be somewhat mechanically challenged, he at least understands the clutch is a key component in the process.

So you can be sure your Agent will tune in to the Science Channel this Friday night (Apr. 2) at 9:30 p.m. when the popular “How It’s Made” show turns its cameras and attention toward Ram Clutches and its creation of a billet clutch.

ADRL Extreme Pro Stock competitors Pete Berner and John Montecalvo also will be featured in the segment, so don’t miss it!

(Photo courtesy Ram Clutches)

March 28, 2010

McDonald Meets Fans at Atlanta Diabetes Expo

ADRL Pro Extreme racer Bennie McDonald Jr. (right) graciously donated his time yesterday to sign autographs at the American Diabetes Association Expo Atlanta in the downtown Georgia World Congress Center.

A steady stream of admirers dropped by all day to check out McDonald’s ‘53 Corvette and pick up complimentary tickets to the ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags Apr. 23-24, at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

““It was a lot of fun being here. I was surprised by how many people knew who I was and what we do,” said McDonald, himself a Type 2 diabetes patient. “I also took advantage of several of the free services here, like getting my blood and my eyes checked and learning about some of the special products. This was a neat deal and I’m glad we were able to help out.”

(ADRL/Tocher photo)

March 25, 2010

BTG: PXM’s Kim Morrell

Your Agent is thrilled to see the return of PXM Girl to the ADRL.us writers fold.

He also applauds her decision to turn attention on Kim Morrell, number-three qualifier in Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM) for this past weekend’s rain-postponed Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen and the first woman to officially make it into a PXM raceday field. (Ironically, a second female rider, Anne Hansen in her ADRL debut, also qualified for the same event, starting 15th on July 23, when the race resumes.)

Regardless, go Beyond the Gaurdwall with Morrell here.

(ADRL/Graves photo)

March 23, 2010

Team Aruba Write-up in Baytown Sun

Your Agent stumbled across a neat, little story about Team Aruba and their hospitality this past weekend during the rain-postponed ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

Your Agent was fortunate enough to share in the results of the cookout mentioned in the story and can heartily vouch for its island goodness.

Thanks, Team Aruba! 

March 22, 2010

Harper Comeback in 2011?

While it’s already been confirmed that 2008 ADRL Pro Nitrous World Champion Billy Harper is sitting out the 2010 ADRL season (just as he did in ‘09), your Agent heard from a well-place operative today that Harper hopes to return to action in 2011.

It all depends on the economy, your Agent’s source said.

“Billy just can’t race with a clear conscience while he’s got people laid off,” your Agent was told. “But if things continue the way it looks like they’re going now, Billy may attempt a comeback next season.”

Sounds like a lot of “ifs” and “maybes” to your Agent, but no one would be happier to see Harper back out there in the Pro Nitrous ranks.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

March 22, 2010

It’s Official: Nowling Nuptials in October

After a six-year friendship and a twenty-one-month courtship, ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling will wed girlfriend and ADRL Executive V.P. of Operations Jessica Alcoke. 

The two were engaged Mar. 21, at the AVIA Hotel in The Woodlands, Texas while attending the surprise sixtieth birthday party of ADRL co-owner and board member Tommy Lipar. 

The date has been set for October 23 of this year following the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI in Ennis Texas. Details, including location, are forthcoming. 

Please join your Agent in wishing the future Mr. and Mrs. Nowling a long and happy marriage.

(Photos by Jennifer Vorn, JenEvent Photography)

March 21, 2010

It’s a Bouncing Baby Oddy!

While your Agent was taking in all the excitement of the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen, Dave Oddy of the ADRL Pro Extreme team was getting used to becoming a father for the first time.

Jim Oddy, crew chief for Joshua Hernandez, was your Agent’s tipster on this one and couldn’t be a prouder grandfather of his first grandson.

Dave’s wife, Lindsey, gave birth at 3:41 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day (Mar. 17), to Jameson Matthew Oddy, who arrived at 21 inches long and weighed in at 7 lbs. 14 ozs.

“I do think he looks pretty happy in his five-point harness,” Dave told your Agent. “I guess all those years of strapping Fred (Hahn) and Josh in applies to car seats as well!”

Your Agent joins the entire ADRL community is congratulating Dave and Lindsey and wishing young Master Jameson a happy, healthy life.

(Photo courtesy Dave Oddy)

March 20, 2010

Lifetime Contract for Nowling Jr.

When your Agent was 10-years old, he didn’t know what he’d be doing from one minute to the next, such was the life of a pre-teen Agent.

But young Kenny Nowling Jr., “KJ” to friends and family, has a bright future mapped out for him after agreeing to a lifetime performance contract with Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani of the Al-Anabi Racing team.

According to the ADRL press release, “Long-term plan calls for him to remain in the Pro Jr. Dragster ranks until his 16th birthday, at which time he will begin making test passes in a full-size car before making his ADRL Pro Extreme debut in 2016 in the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza XXII.”

Your Agent will join all others in watching with interest as this young man progresses through the years.

(ADRL/Tocher photo)

March 19, 2010

PX/PN History Series Complete at CompPlus.com

Your Agent suggests a quick side trip over to visit his old pal Bobby Bennett at CompetitionPlus.com for the fourth and final installment on the history of Pro Extreme/Pro Nitrous racing.

It includes reference to current ADRL Extreme Pro Stock star Brian Gahm, who also was among the 16 qualifiers who made up the first official Pro Modified field (right), as well as tons of other interesting facts and insights into your Agent’s favorite class.

This one’s got your Agent’s seal of approval. Check it out here.

(Photo courtesy CompetitionPlus.com)

March 17, 2010

One at a Time, All in Line

ADRL officials on the scene at Houston Raceway Park asked your Agent to let racers and vendors heading to this weekend’s ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen know that race rigs should get in line outside Gate 3 and vendors should stack up outside Gate 1 prior to entering the facility for parking.

So, that’s race teams to Gate 3 and vendors to Gate 1.

The gates will open at 10 a.m. local time on Thursday (Mar. 18) and will close promptly at 10 p.m. that night, not to reopen until 7 a.m. Friday morning.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

March 17, 2010

PXM Champ Gets New Look for New Season

Check out the new livery for reigning ADRL Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM) World Champion Scott Gray this season.

Gone is Gray’s familiar lime-green hue in favor of a three-candy-colored fade designed by ADRL announcer Brian Olson and his son, Drew, and sprayed by “Cougar” up at Olson Paint & Body in Peru, IL.

“It was a real honor to paint the PXM champ’s bike,” Olson said, though he didn’t have much time to get the job done before this weekend’s season-opening ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza Vi presented by Safety-Kleen.

“We got the bike last Monday and this Monday, two days ago, we packed it up and shipped it in a crate down to Houston for the race,” Olson explained. “So I’m pretty proud of my guys for getting it done so fast, but still making it look so good.”

Olson did caution your Agent, however, that these pics were taken before the shell was clear-coated, so the finished result is even more eye-catching.

“Scott totally left the color and design up to us and he hasn’t even seen photos of it yet, so this will be the first time he’s seen it, too,” Olson said upon e-mailing the images. “I’m pretty confident he’ll like it, though; I think it turned out great!”

(Photos courtesy Olson Paint & Body)

March 16, 2010

Myers’ Duster Makes its Debut

Thomas “Tom Slick” Myers’ new Pro Nitrous ‘70 Duster, one of the most-anticipated new rides of the new season finally rolled out of the Andy McCoy Race Cars shop in Washington, MO, this weekend, just in time to enter the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

Your Agent can’t reveal the source of this photo, but suffice to say you’re not really supposed to be seeing it right now. (Your Agent will smooth things over with Mr. McCoy and Mr. Myers when he gets to the track.)

Your Agent also is assured the hastily snapped cell pic doesn’t come even close to doing justice to the car’s sleek black-on-silver paint scheme. He’s been advised to keep the sunglasses handy when it rolls out of the trailer on Thursday at HRP.

UPDATE (Midnight, Mar. 17, 2010): Your Agent managed to convince the powers that be over at Andy McCoy Race Cars that now that the cat (car?) is out of the bag it would be in their best interest to release more images of their stunning creation, so scoot over Beyond the Guardwall to check out a HUGE gallery of photos of Tom Slick’s slick new ride!

March 16, 2010

Sign of the Season

One of your Agent’s operatives in the Baytown, TX, area snapped this cell-phone pic to show how the local traffic authorities are preparing motorists for this weekend’s ADRL season opener at Houston Raceway Park.

Your Agent hears several race rigs are already waiting for the pit gates to open at 10 a.m., Thursday, Mar. 18, to park for the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.

He’s also been asked to remind all ADRL race teams and vendors that no one will be permitted to enter the facility to park prior to 10 a.m. or after 10 p.m. local time—no exceptions. So plan accordingly!

The pit gates will reopen at 7 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

It’s time, folks. Let’s get ready to race!

March 15, 2010

Scruggs and Taylor on Radio Nitro Tonight

You know your Agent will be tuned in at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight when former back-to-back ADRL Pro Extreme World Champion Jason Scruggs (left) and Pro Extreme rival Frankie “Mad Man” Taylor (right) are among the featured guests on Radio Nitro with Will Hanna and the Harker Twins at www.RaceFanRadio.com.

The supercharged ADRL duo will help to preview this weekend’s ADRL season opener, the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

Make sure to listen in at 8 p.m. here.

But all is not lost if you miss the original airing of the show because all past episodes of Radio Nitro remain available on-demand at www.RaceFanRadio.com.

(ADRL/Tocher file photos)

March 15, 2010

Stanton Steps Up in Testing

Your Agent deserves 50 lashes with a wet noodle for missing this one early last week!

Seems 2006 ADRL Pro Extreme champ Bubba Stanton was down at South Georgia Motorsports Park for a little pre-season testing in his new Henson Motorsports ‘68 Camaro built by Garret Race Cars.

It all began last Monday with a blown supercharger as soon as Stanton dumped the clutch that took most of the day to fix. The team got it back together just in time for one more try, but on the second hit the car barely moved off the line before a driveshaft problem sent the engine RPMs sky high, breaking the blower belt and cutting a line to oil the track down.

Tuesday opened with a tire-spinning effort that prompted chassis builder Garret Livingston to make a few adjustments. Effort number-two also resulted in tire spin and Livingston went back to work, trying to decipher exactly what the car liked and didn’t like and on the third pass it left straight and hard, resulting in a .943 60-foot time, 2.47 to half-track and finishing with a 3.673 at 206 mph. 

“We really need some more runs on the car but I am happy with our start,” Stanton said. “(Team owner) Roger Henson and I would like to thank Garret Livingston for his help on Monday and Tuesday and for building an awesome race car. And always thanks to (crew chief) Donnie (Sykes) and all our crew.”

(ADRL/Richards photo)

March 12, 2010

ADRL Contingency Zone Updated

Your Agent suggests racers take a moment to check out the latest contingency sponsor list here at www.ADRL.us.

The ADRL Marketing division remains a hub of activity in the days leading up to the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen, so your Agent is confident there’s more to come.

(ADRL/Richards file photo)

March 12, 2010

Musi Making PN Appearance at Houston?

According to a report over at CompetitionPlus.com, legendary door-car racer Pat Musi will be making the long haul down from Carteret, NJ, to enter the Pro Nitrous race in the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen next weekend at Houston Raceway Park.

“We’re planning to run Pro Nitrous with the Dodge Stratus,” Musi told CompPlus publisher Bobby Bennett. “We had been looking for a while to run the Houston race. I always get excited about running the national events.”

Unless your Agent’s memory is failing him (and sometimes it does, he readily admits), this would be Musi’s first appearance in a driving role at an ADRL national event since the washed-out race in 2007 at Montgomery, AL (above).

Regardless, your Agent is happy to see the Popeye crew returning to the ADRL fold.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

March 12, 2010

XTF Battle for the Belts on SPEED

Your Agent just received word this morning that the 2009 Speedtech Battle for the Belts for the Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 championship will be broadcast tomorrow, Mar. 13, at 11 a.m. Eastern as part of the Lucas Oil…On the Edge series on the SPEED channel. Repeat showings are scheduled on SPEED at 7 p.m. EST and Monday, Mar. 15, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

As your Agent recalls, the Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 guys put on quite a show last October during the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V down at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, TX, so he’s looking forward to reliving the excitement. Click here for just a brief video hint of what’s on tap. 

Lucas Oil…On the Edge is produced by NeWave Video Productions out of Chicago, the same company responsible for creating the action-packed ADRL event broadcasts.

(ADRL/Singleton file photo)

March 10, 2010

First Look: ‘Tom Slick’s’ New PN Duster

Your Agent isn’t even sure he’s supposed to have these, but yes, these are the first published pics of the 1970 Duster being built for ADRL Pro Nitrous winner Thomas “Tom Slick” Myers by Andy McCoy Race Cars.

Okay, we can all agree it doesn’t look much like a Plymouth Duster right now, but it does look cool!

And the attention to detail is impressive. Check out that sweet, weight-saving, carbon-fiber suspension work for proof.

Anyway, now that your Agent has deciphered the security code to McCoy’s Washington, MO, shop, expect more pics with the body in place coming soon.

March 10, 2010

Change of Cars for Barklage

Your Agent told you a couple of days ago that Zach Barklage would be making his driving comeback this season in the ADRL Pro Extreme ranks, joining younger brother Cody on the Barklage Racing trail.

Shortly after, a press release from the Barklage camp confirmed the rumor, saying big brother would return to the tiller of the family’s ‘57 Chevy.

Well, not so fast my friends. Seems Zach will be back alright, but he’ll be steering this ‘67 Camaro originally built by G-Force, but recently upgraded at Chris Duncan Race Cars in Chandlerville, IL.

The car is owned by John and Sara Heath of HD Motorsports, who have teamed up with Barklage Racing to put Zach into as many ADRL events as possible this season, while Mark Daly will drive it this year in local outlaw events in Missouri.

Your Agent was told it’s unlikely the Camaro will be ready to join Cody’s ‘67 Firebird at the ADRL’s season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen next weekend in Houston, but look for a double-barreled Barklage assault when the series gets to South Georgia Motorsports Park in April.

(Photos courtesy Barklage Racing)

March 10, 2010

Rough PX Intro for Snyder

Your Agent feels for young Mick Snyder (near left with new teammate Jason Scruggs) after he found the South Georgia Motorsports Park wall on Monday in his first-ever launch of a Pro Extreme (PX) car.

Apparently a hung throttle threw Snyder’s new ride off line only a hundred feet out or so and the former Alky Funny Car pilot ground to a halt well down the track with much of the car’s front end missing.

It’s the same ‘63 Corvette that Scruggs drove to the first 200-mph pass by a door car over the eighth mile at Rockingham Dragway in 2007 along the way to his first of two consecutive ADRL Pro Extreme world championships.

Your Agent is pleased to know Snyder was uninjured in the accident, but also disappointed as it seems unlikely Snyder will be making his planned PX rookie debut Mar. 19-20, at the ADRL’s Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

Many thanks from your Agent to Marvin T. Smith for providing the pics.

March 9, 2010

‘Glass Doctor’ Sets XTF Track Record

Your Agent received these pics of Tom Ashley’s “Glass Doctor” ‘67 Chevy II down at Emerald Coast Dragway in the Florida panhandle over the weekend, where driver Michael Neal was shaking it down in Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 trim in preparation for the ADRL’s season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park.

On what was described to your Agent as “a real tricky racetrack surface,” the Ashley-led team had to back down their prodigious power a little, but Neal still managed to set a new track record for 10.5W-equipped cars at 4.13 seconds while qualifying second for the track’s 2010 heads-up opener.

Going up against the “big tire” cars, Neal fell to “Big Money” Bil Clanton in the semis, leaving his father, Mike Neal in Don Stroud’s ‘53 Studebaker, to take on Clanton in the final round between the two former ADRL Pro Extreme multiple-event winners.

After leaving with identical .050 lights, Neal Sr. took the win in 3.91 seconds to Clanton’s 3.93 in the closest match of the day.

The next order of business for Neal, Ashley and the rest of the Glass Doctor gang will be trying to join the Mickey Thompson 3-Second Club for Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 teams once they get to Houston.

(Photos courtesy Jody Hatcher)

March 8, 2010

Another Barklage PX Entry?

After winning his first ADRL event (Columbus, OH) and making it into the Speedtech Battle for the Belts last year, it looked like young Cody Barklage was really coming into his own as a Pro Extreme (PX) pilot and could be a force to be reckoned with this year.

But fair’s fair, and after the Barklage Racing Team suffered a couple of devastating setbacks (including a freak, all-consuming roadside trailer fire), Cody and his brother Zach had apparently agreed to share the driver’s seat of the family’s potent Lucas Oil-backed ‘67 Firebird on a season-by-season basis.

So your Agent understands it was supposed to be Zach behind the wheel when they showed up for a tune-up race at Dallas Raceway this past weekend, prior to the start of the 2010 ADRL season at Houston Raceway Park in a couple of weeks. But apparently it was Cody who ended up making a career-best 3.71-seconds pass at just over 200 mph in qualifying while Zach remained an overqualified spectator.

However, your Agent heard a promising rumor from one of his most highly trusted operatives that Zach Barklage managed to pick up his own ride for this ADRL season, so it will be interesting to watch the Barklage pits when they arrive at HRP for the Mar. 19-20, Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.

UPDATE (11:45 a.m.): Within minutes of your Agent’s posting, the rumor of Zach joining the team as a second driver was confirmed by a Barklage Racing press release. 

(ADRL/Graves file photo)     

March 8, 2010

Moyer Makes it Into 3s in HRP Testing

It was a happy Todd Moyer (top left) and team after making a pair of three-second passes yesterday—their first ever in the “threes”—during Houston Raceway Park’s DragRaceHose.com Spring Warm-up Test Session.

Moyer and his Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 twin-turboed ‘04 Caavalier, fresh from some updating work at Terry Murphy’s chassis shop, first turned the trick with a 3.983 at 196.59-mph blast, then came back with the 3.96 at 197.74 shown above.

With the ADRL season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen scheduled for Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park, it looks like Moyer’s a real contender to join the exclusive Mickey Thompson 3-Second Club for the XTF racers.

(Scott Singleton photos)

March 8, 2010

ArabianDRL Hospitality Appreciated

Your Agent stumbled across a very nice thank-you article today by Senior Master Sgt. David Byron of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs department regarding the recent visit of 400 or so U.S. service men and women to the final round of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season at the Qatar Racing Club.

ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling is quoted in the story (with his name suffering from an all-too-common misspelling; there’s no “K” in Nowling) and his sentiments certainly represent your Agent’s as well.

Good to see our guys and gals in the military getting some much-needed R&R in the region courtesy of Sheik Khalid and the ADRL.

(Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force)

March 8, 2010

Goforths Go Fast in Houston Testing

Your Agent wishes he could’ve been there to witness it in person, but he has to settle for photographic evidence that the Goforth Racing duo of Cary (top) and his father, Dean, both exceeded the official ADRL Extreme Pro Stock speed record during testing on Sunday at Houston Raceway Park.

Both runs came in the right lane, with Cary’s 179.09 and Dean’s 179.11 just a little faster than the 178.26-mph record set by current XPS World Champion Matt Hartford last October at Ennis, TX.

Looks like the Goforths will be all set to go Mar. 19-20, in the season-opening ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at the same location of their testing heroics.

(Scott Singleton photos)

March 7, 2010

Carpenter 5th in CompPlus.com Top-20 Drivers

Your Agent couldn’t agree more with the top-5 inclusion of Pro Nitrous pioneer Charles Carpenter in CompetitionPlus.com’s All-Time Top 20 Drivers list for the Pro Extreme/Pro Nitrous class.

One of the nicest guys in the ADRL pits, Carpenter also is a master of getting the most out of his machine, always a ‘55 Chevy and always a fan favorite.

Carpenter slotted in at fifth on the CompPlus list, with one more driver to be revealed each Monday and Friday until culminating with the number-one reveal at the season-opening ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

March 6, 2010

First Look: Snyder’s New PX Corvette

Photos of new ADRL cars are practically falling out of the woodwork at your Agent’s secret lair.

The latest to waft across his desk are of the former-Jason Scruggs ‘63 Corvette to be campaigned this year by Pro Extreme (PX) rookie Mick Snyder, who said after a test session this coming week at South Georgia Motorsports Park, he’ll be ready to make his—and the car’s—ADRL debut Mar. 19-20, in the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

As teammates to former back-to-back PX champion Scruggs and his father, Mitchell, your Agent expects the father-and-son tandem of Larry and Mick Snyder to be season-long players in the points chase toward inclusion in the Speedtech Battle for the Belts.

(Photos courtesy Snyder Motorsports)

March 6, 2010

Pappas Prepared for Dragpalooza VI

Friday’s action at Houston Raceway Park’s DragRaceHose.com Spring Warm-up Test Session included this 3.93-seconds pass by reigning ADRL Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 World Champion Spiro Pappas.

Crewmembers for Pappas apparently told track officials they had a “light tune up” in the turbocharged, Bickel-built Pontiac and have “plenty more” to throw at it. 

As if to emphasize their confidence, Pappas and team loaded up soon after and left the track, saying they’d be back Mar. 19-20, to continue their title defence in the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.

Check out video of the pass here.

(Scott Singleton photos)

March 5, 2010

First Look: Hamstra’s New Paint

Fresh out of the paint booth and just in time for final assembly and testing before the ADRL’s season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen, come these exclusive images sent to your Agent of Jason Hamstra’s new Garret Race Cars-built ‘69 Camaro Pro Extreme entry.

Following a design by Larry Williams, Brian Olson (yes, he of the crack ADRL at-the-track announcing team) and his guys at Olson Paint & Body in Peru, IN, laid down the “nine or 10” hues of House of Kolor candy on the eye-catching Camaro.

“My main man, ‘Cougar,’ along with my son Drew Olson, Drew Chilcutt, Brian Jones, Matt Rasmus and pretty much every single person at Olson Body and Paint have worked literally around the clock to get this done,” Olson told your Agent. “I’m pretty proud of them, especially since this is the first Pro Extreme body we’ve ever painted. I think it turned out great!” 

Your Agent agrees. Hamstra, the 2009 ADRL Rookie of the Year, was always fast, but if his performance remains even close to how sweet his new ride appears, the candy should be disappearing pretty quick.

(Photos courtesy Olson Paint & Body)

March 5, 2010

Castellana’s New PN Camaro

These images arrived in your Agent’s in-box early this morning, depicting the brand-new ‘69 Camaro that Mike Castellana will campaign in Pro Nitrous under the Al-Anabi Racing banner this year.

The car was built by Jerry Bickel Race Cars in Moscow Mills, MO, and carries a Reher-Morrison powerplant up front, draped by one of the new, ultra-light Cynergy composite bodies.

Testing with the car should begin this weekend with its ADRL debut scheduled for the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park.

(Photos courtesy Cynergy Composites)

March 4, 2010

Attention in the PXM Pits: Vanson ADRL-Accepted

Attention in the Pro Extreme Motorcycle pits: Your Agent reminded you a couple of days ago that all PXM entries must have an ADRL-accepted engine containment system installed before they’ll be allowed on the track for the season-opening ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park.

Well, word just came down to your Agent that Vanson Leathers of Fall River, MA, has been conferred ADRL-accepted status for a new engine containment system for Suzuki GS motors. Your Agent suggests contacting Vanson at (508) 678-2000 for details.

Also, Taylor Motorsports Products, which already has a Suzuki GS engine containment system on the ADRL-accepted list, has received ADRL acceptance for similar systems for Kawasaki and Haybusa engines. Taylor can be reached directly by calling (800) 320-2988.

And though your Agent has been assured delivery can still be arranged in time for the ADRL season-opener, he stongly suggests PXM teams make arrangements ASAP to have an ADRL-accepted engine containment system installed and ready for racing.  

(ADRL/Lorenzini file photo)

March 3, 2010

Tutterow Named Arabian Sportsman of the Year

Your Agent sends sincere congratulations to reigning ADRL Pro Extreme World Champion Todd Tutterow (center) on being awarded the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 Sportsman of the Year Award on behalf of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

American and Arabian Drag Racing Leagues President and CEO Kenny Nowling (far left) said Tutterow not only impressed everyone at the Qatar Race Club with his tuning abilities on Bader Ahli’s Pro Extreme 2006 Mustang (the same car Tutterow drove to the ADRL championship last fall at Ennis, TX), but by his willingness to help any competitor make it to the lanes with the best tune-up possible.

A tip of your Agent’s bowler to King Tutt, living proof that nice guys can finish first!

(ADRL.Richards photo)

March 2, 2010

Kuhlmann Makes CompPlus.com Top-20 List

Like so many others, your Agent has been enjoying the gradual unveiling of the Top 20 Pro Extreme/Pro Nitrous Driver’s List by his old pal Bobby Bennett over at www.CompetitionPlus.com and he’s quite confident the latest addition in the number-six slot will be a popular one in the home of ADRL Prez and CEO Kenny Nowling.

Bill Kuhlmann, he of the first 200-mph doorslammer pass and a later ADRL competitor, was a boyhood hero for Nowling and proved instrumental in getting a young Nowling’s career in drag racing on the fast track. And as Bennett’s story supports, Kuhlmann managed a few fast tracks of his own, too.

For the past several weeks, Bennett has been revealing one more driver on the list each Monday and Friday, building up to the number-one reveal to come in person at the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park.

You know your Agent will be watching with eager anticipation.

(Photo courtesy CompetitionPlus.com)

March 2, 2010

No Titanium Studs; ‘Full Floater’ Rule; PXM Engine Containment

Your Agent was up early this morning and noticed a “News” item on ADRL.us about the banning of titanium wheel studs from all professional classes.

There’s also mention there of a one-race exemption for the 2010 requirement for full-floating rear axles in Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous (left) at the season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park. It’s clear to your Agent, however, that the powers that be here at ADRL worldwide headquarters are adamant about their use beginning at the next event Apr. 23-24, in the Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at Valdosta, GA.

Finally, your Agent strongly suggests that Pro Extreme Motorcycle teams take notice of the requirement for “ADRL-accepted” engine containment systems on all PXM bikes beginning with the Houston event later this month.

Don’t disappoint your Agent; make sure you know all the rules pertaining to your class and follow them carefully. He wants to see all of you making laps at Houston Raceway Park.

(ADRL/Richards file photo)

March 1, 2010

New Hargett PN Entry at Dragzine.com

Your Agent was alerted today to a brief interview by Andrew Wolf with Ryan Hargett over at the new www.Dragzine.com, where he describes the build progress on his brand-new, Bickel-built ‘70 Camaro that’s destined for the ADRL Pro Nitrous wars.

Hargett makes no promises, but says he hopes to have the car ready for its ADRL debut Apr. 23-24, in the Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at South Georgia Motorspots Park.

That’s okay, from the look of these pictures, your Agent figures it’ll be worth the wait no matter how long it takes.

(Photos courtesy Dragzine.com) 

March 1, 2010

Complimentary Tickets Work in Qatar

Your Agent understands the familiar ADRL business model of distributing complimentary tickets was employed for the first time this past weekend at the Qatar Racing Club for Round 7 of the 2009-10 Arabian Drag Racing League schedule with similar results to those enjoyed Stateside—packed grandstands and lines at the gate well into the elimination rounds.

Also, among the dignitaries in attendance, including more than 400 U.S. service men and women, were U.S. Embassy First Secretary of Press, Education and Cultural Affairs Joey Hood; Mahvash Siddiqui, Cultural Attache, Public Affairs Section for the Embassy of the United States of America, several members of the Kuwaiti royal family and Dominic Reilly, head of marketing for the Williams Formula 1 racing team.

(ADRL/Richards file photo)