ADRL.us sponsored by Flowmaster

July 24, 2007

D’Aprile featured on TLC’s Miami Ink

O'FALLON, Mo. (July 24, 2007) – Tonight’s episode of Miami Ink on The Learning Channel will feature Flowmaster American Drag Racing League racer Tommy D’Aprile.

The original airing of the program is scheduled for tonight (Tuesday, July 24) at 10 p.m. Eastern. TLC (www.tlcdiscovery.com) is available on most cable systems; viewers should check their local listings.

D'Aprile is scheduled to receive a new tattoo on the popular show during the episode.

"The tattoo is something I wanted to do to promote the sport and promote my faith," D'Aprile said in a statement released last week.

The show’s cameras also followed D'Aprile at the ADRL’s race in Valdosta in early May, where he reached the semifinals in Pro Extreme, his best career ADRL result.

D'Aprile is currently seeking sponsorship help, with a goal of racing full-time again in the 2008 season.

For more information about Tommy D'Aprile, visit http://sirthomasinc.com. For the official website of the Flowmaster ADRL, visit www.adrl.us.

July 8, 2007

ADRL Champ Stanton Wins First PX Title; Riesterer Claims PN Honors

RADFORD, Va. (July 7, 2007) — Two first-time event winners visited the Motor Mile Dragway winner’s circle Saturday night at the conclusion of the ADRL.us Independence Drags, although one of them had previously won the biggest title the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League has to offer.

Bubba Stanton (Pro Extreme) and Doug Riesterer (Pro Nitrous) won their respective classes to cap an exciting day of racing Saturday in front of another sold out ADRL venue. For Stanton, the event win was his first in an ADRL points-earning event, although his other ADRL victory — the Battle for the Belts world championship eliminator last fall — made him the 2006 ADRL Pro Extreme world champion.

With his win Saturday night, Stanton jumped to the top of the AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts points standings, leaping over Joshua Hernandez (who did not attend) and Huntsville winner Jason Scruggs (who recorded a surprising DNQ). Stanton’s 1,544 points now leads Hernandez by the rough equivalent of three round-wins.

After qualifying No. 7 with a 4.018 best, Stanton simply got better with each eliminations pass he made. He opened with a 4.032 to oust Dwayne Watkins, then followed with three consecutive 3-second runs: 3.997 to edge Michael Neal’s 4.03; 3.990 to take a dramatic holeshot win over Frankie Taylor’s 3.971; and, in the final, a 3.971 to score an easy win over Travis Swearingen, who shook and could not recover.

The runner-up finish was Swearingen’s second of the season. He lost to Joe Baker in the Valdosta final.

Like Stanton, Riesterer came through with a bracket-like performance when it mattered most. He recorded four runs of between 4.045 to 4.066 in eliminations to beat, in order, Terry Murphy, Jamie Hancock, Buzz Varner, and 2006 ADRL world champion Keith Baker in the final, 4.045 to a troubled 5.316. Baker was looking for his first ADRL eliminations win since the 2005 season-ender in Kennedale.

Pro Nitrous driver Johnny Pilcher’s bid for an unprecedented third straight ADRL event win came up two rounds short at the ADRL.us Independence Drags. He ran well all weekend and reached the semifinals, but came up on the losing end of his race versus Baker when he narrowly red-lighted.

Pilcher still enjoys a sizeable points lead in the AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts points standings, and he remains the only ADRL driver to qualify for every event his class has contested.

July 7, 2007

First look: AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts standings

(Effective June 7, 2007; all points pending ADRL approval)

Pro Extreme
1.    Bubba Stanton    1,544
2.    Joshua Hernandez    1,229
3.    John Lynam    1,151
4.    Travis Swearingen    1,140
5.    Joe Baker    1,139
6.    Jason Scruggs    1,047
7.    Mike Bell    868
8.    Michael Neal    730
9.    Bil Clanton    648
10.    Todd Tutterow    630
11.    Dwayne Watkins    620
12.    Frankie Taylor    599
13.    Brian Daniels    591
14.    Quain Stott    567
15.    Bennie McDonald    521
16.    Herman Sheppard    495
17.    Bobby Booth    473
18.    Brandon Pesz    435
19.    Hugh Scott    408
20.    Kelly Martin    388

Pro Nitrous
1.    Johnny Pilcher    1,850
2.    Terry Housley    1,332
3.    Keith Baker    1,142
4.    Doug Riesterer    1,114
5.    Thomas Myers    1,039
6.    Dennis Radford    1,029
7.    Charles Carpenter    943
8.    Jamie Hancock    913
9.    Shannon Jenkins    908
10.    Stan Allen    742
11.    Randy Weatherford    725
12.    Harold Martin    699
13.    Burton Auxier    635
14.    Billy Harper    614
15.    Steve Vick    533
16.    Rod Houck    517
17.    Greg Godwin    503
18.    Mike Lockwood    386
19.    Buzz Varner    338
20.    Mike Castellana   282

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: PX eliminations, final

(Winner on top)

Bubba Stanton, 3.971, 183.52
Travis Swearingen, 5.316, 92.73

Another 3-second pass from Stanton, who wins his first career ADRL “regular-season” eliminations title. He was last year’s Pro Extreme winner in the ADRL Battle for the Belts championship eliminator.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: PN eliminations, final

(Winner on top)

Doug Riesterer, 4.045, 179.07
Keith Baker, 5.316, 92.73

The defending ADRL champion will score lots of points for his effort this weekend, but it’s a winner’s circle newcomer who claims the win-light. Doug Riesterer becomes the 11th driver to win an ADRL Pro Nitrous title.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: PX eliminations, semifinals

(Winner on top)

Travis Swearingen, 4.049, 188.05
John Lynam, 4.121, 181.09

Swearingen has been a little bit up-and-down in 2007, following up his Valdosta runner-up with a first-round loss in Huntsville. But he’ll get a second shot at a final round after eliminating the 2005 ADRL world champion.

Bubba Stanton, 3.990, 184.96
Frankie Taylor, 3.971, 188.28

Holeshots have been plentiful during eliminations, and here’s one more. Stanton with just enough to grab a place in his second straight Pro Extreme final.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: PN eliminations, semifinals

(Winner on top)

Doug Riesterer, 4.053, 179.07
Buzz Varner, 4.108, 179.50

Riesterer clinches a spot in his first ADRL final. He becomes the 18th driver to race in an ADRL Pro Nitrous final.

Keith Baker, 4.092, 179.71
Johnny Pilcher, Red-light

Pilcher’s dream of a Pro Nitrous three-peat ends in the semifinals. He still remains, though, one of only two drivers to ever win back-to-back PN events (Shannon Jenkins also did so in 2005).

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: PX eliminations, quarterfinals

(Winner on top)

Travis Swearingen, 4.043, 188.44  
Joe Baker, 4.074, 178.43

A nice 4.04 from the Valdosta runner-up, who is one step away from a second final in 2007.

John Lynam, 4.055, 184.50  
Todd Tutterow, 4.155, 176.19

Lynam is making his Huntsville DNQ seem like something that happened to someone else. He is one round away from his ninth career ADRL final.

Bubba Stanton, 3.997, 184.58  
Michael Neal, 4.038, 181.09

Nice runs from both lanes, but it’s Stanton who survives. The ADRL champ is seeking consecutive final-round appearances.

Frankie Taylor, 4.118, 179.57
Mike Neal, 3.963, 187.03

Taylor needs some starting-line magic, but he holds on to equal the best showing of his ADRL career. Both Neals make good runs, but are each a quarterfinals loser.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: PN eliminations, quarterfinals

(Winner on top)

Doug Riesterer, 4.066, 179.43  
Jamie Hancock, 4.763, 111.83

Doug R. into the semifinals for the second straight event.

Buzz Varner, 4.108, 176.89  
Randy Weatherford, Centerline

Varner is really making the most out of his first ADRL eliminations appearance.

Johnny Pilcher, 4.120, 178.86
Teddy Smith, Red-light

That’s 10 straight round-wins for Pilcher. Thinking ahead: no ADRL driver has ever won three consecutive event titles.

Keith Baker, 4.137, 179.78  
Terry Housley, 4.114, 177.51

A clutch holeshot win for Baker, who is making his Huntsville DNQ a distant memory.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: PX eliminations, first round

(Winner on top)

Joe Baker, 3.996, 187.50  
T.J. Harrill, 6.366, 72.78

Baker makes the quarterfinals for the third straight event.

Travis Swearingen, 4.058, 188.44  
Bennie McDonald, 4.391, 135.30

Swearingen already improves upon his Huntsville result.

John Lynam, 4.063, 182.78  
Joel Bayless, 4.549, 123.76

Lynam scores his first round-win since the season-opener in Houston.

Todd Tutterow, 3.971, 186.41  
Brian Daniels, 4.129, 177.51

Great run from Tutterow, who also hadn’t won since Houston.

Michael Neal, 4.046, 180.72  
Greg Holt, 4.127, 174.49

Neal into the quarters for the second straight time.

Bubba Stanton, 4.032, 185.03  
Dwayne Watkins, 5.483, 85.02  

Watkins shakes hard, giving the ADRL champ a clear path to the second round.

Mike Neal, 4.053, 179.43  
Herman Sheppard, Broke

The burnout turns out to be the end of the line for Sheppard. Neal with his first ADRL round-win since mid-2006.

Frankie Taylor, 3.952, 187.19
Bil Clanton, 4.039, 180.00

Fantastic run and big numbers for Taylor, who hadn’t won an ADRL round since last year’s Rockingham event.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: PN eliminations, first round

(Winner on top)

Doug Riesterer, 4.054, 179.14  
Terry Murphy, 4.208, 173.01

Riesterer is “going rounds” for the second straight event.

Jamie Hancock, 4.147, 176.89  
Charles Carpenter, 4.134, 179.64

A holeshot win for Hancock in an almost-eerie repeat of these drivers’ eliminations meeting in Huntsville.

Buzz Varner, 4.134, 176.82  
Greg Godwin, 4.142, 175.85

Varner claims his first career ADRL round-win.

Randy Weatherford, 4.157, 175.23  
Steve Vick, 4.143, 178.57

Another holeshot win, this one courtesy of an .015 light.

Teddy Smith, 4.220, 173.75
Billy Harper, Red-light

A Harper red-light hands Smith his first career ADRL round-win.

Johnny Pilcher, 4.142, 177.65
Thomas Myers, 4.104, 177.03

A big holeshot win for Pilcher, who is one round closer to a potential ADRL three-peat.

Keith Baker, 4.104, 179.93  
Dennis Radford, 4.144, 177.58

Baker is participating in Pro Nitrous eliminations for the 14th time.

Terry Housley, 4.159, 176.61  
Stan Allen, 4.128, 179.21

Another holeshot. Housley reaches the quarterfinals for the fourth time during this points-scoring season.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: Pro Extreme qualifying (round 3)

L: (single)
R: Bubba Stanton, 4.018, 185.19

The ADRL world champion moves up. He’ll be looking to reach his second straight final round.

L: Brian Daniels, 4.164, 177.30
R: Michael Neal, 4.031, 182.19

Neal with another strong pass. His last ADRL win was the 2005 season-opener.

L: (single)
R: Tommy Mauney, 6.230, 85.08

Mauney will have to watch tonight’s action from the sidelines.

L: Bil Clanton, 4.070, 178.29
R: Joel Bayless, 4.207, 161.00

Like Neal, Clanton seems to have put together a nice package for Radford. He’ll be seeking his fourth career ADRL event win.

L: Frankie Taylor, 4.004, 186.80
R: Travis Swearingen, 4.040, 186.64

Great run from Taylor, who gets oh-so-close to the 3s.

L: Greg Holt, 4.128, 174.42
R: Mike Neal, 4.119, 178.86

L: (single)
R: Todd Tutterow, 4.016, 186.41

Tutterow will get a chance to improve upon his first-round exit at Huntsville.

L: Herman Sheppard, 3.992, 184.50
R: T.J. Harrill, 4.211, 167.04

Sheppard dips into the 3s, a great feat with this particular track/altitude/air combination.

L: Dwayne Watkins, 4.057, 185.41
R: (single)

Eliminations in both classes are now set.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: Pro Nitrous qualifying (round 3)

L: Randy Weatherford, 4.144, 175.85
R: Steve Vick, 4.143, 177.30

Nearly identical runs from a pair of drivers hoping it will be enough.

L: Johnny Pilcher, 4.146, 177.65
R: Greg Godwin, 4.599, 118.08

Pilcher, a usual, is in the thick of things in ADRL Pro Nitrous qualifying.

L: Ed Burnley, 4.220, 172.81
R: Dennis Radford, 4.148, 178.08

That won’t be enough for Burnley; Radford should be safe.

L: Mike Lockwood, 4.242, 171.82
R: Terry Murphy, 4.216, 173.75

L: Stan Allen, 4.157, 172.68
R: Rex Kelley, 5.982, 80.88

Kelley ends clearly what was not his best weekend. He’ll be a player later this year, certainly.

L: Thomas Myers, 4.134, 176.47
R: Thomas Jones, 5.604, 87.92

L: Burton Auxier, 4.950, 171.9155.39
R: Annette Summer, 4.228, 175.37

Summer gets close, but falls just short of clinching a rare eliminations spot for a female driver.

L: Dwayne White, 4.216, 161.99
R: Doug Riesterer, 4.305, 131.08

L: Teddy Smith, 4.210, 177.65
R: Kenny Rucker, 4.917, 99.56

L: Blake Housley, 4.290, 158.79
R: (single)

L: Buzz Varner– 4.155, 175.78
R: (single)

Varner will make his first ADRL eliminations appearance later this evening.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: Pro Extreme qualifying (round 2)

L: Todd Tutterow, 4.003, 186.49  
R: Jason Scruggs, 5.740, 81.68

One chance left for Scruggs, the Huntsville event winner and ADRL record-holder.

L: Mike Neal, 4.145, 178.15  
R: Bil Clanton, 4.108, 178.43

L: Bubba Stanton, 4.896, 105.34  
R: Frankie Taylor, 4.115, 183.75

L: Tommy Mauney, 5.319, 97.23  
R: Brian Daniels, 4.152, 177.30

Mauney also down to his final shot.

L: Michael Neal, 4.933, 103.47  
R: John Lynam, 3.999, 185.57

Lynam would doubtless like to return to the winner’s circle for the first time since mid-2005. He’s the third driver here to find the 3s.

L: Travis Swearingen, 4.019, 186.80  
R: Joe Baker, 4.012, 185.03

Baker targeting a second win this season.

L: Bennie McDonald, 4.047, 184.96  
R: T.J. Harrill, 4.294, 167.91

L: Herman Sheppard, 4.033, 182.33  
R: Greg Holt, 4.769, 156.63

Huge improvement for Sheppard.

L: Joel Bayless, 4.158, 176.82  
R:  (single)

L: (single)
R: Hugh Scott, NTR

Scott hits the right wall, but quickly gets the car pulled over and to a safe stop.

L: (single)
R: Dwayne Watkins, NTR

Left before Tree.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: Pro Nitrous qualifying (round 2)

L: Terry Housley, 4.114, 176.96
R: Burton Auxier, no time

Centerline for Auxier.

L: Rex Kelley, 4.676, 152.39
R: Kenny Rucker, 6.233, 81.97

L: Greg Godwin, 4.150, 176.06
R: Stan Allen, 4.133, 177.30

L: Billy Harper, 4.142, 178.78
R: Blake Housley, 4.739, 114.97

Harper was quicker last night; Housley still outside the field.

L: Terry Murphy, 4.180, 176.06
R: Steve Vick, 4.186, 175.92

Vick looking to add a second career ADRL title (Memphis, 2006)

L: Annette Summer, 4.538, 152.13
R: Mike Lockwood, 4.822, 106.26

L: Jamie Hancock, 4.166, 171.95
R: Dwayne White, 4.182, 175.44

Hancock is coming off a runner-up showing at the last ADRL event in Huntsville

L: Thomas Jones, 6.820, 67.61
R: Keith Baker, 4.122, 179.78

Another good pass for the world champion.

L: Randy Weatherford, 4.137, 176.54
R: Buzz Varner, 4.178, 176.06

L: Dennis Radford, 4.144, 177.94
R: Teddy Smith, 4.178, 175.03

L: Charles Carpenter, 4.128, 179.93
R: Ed Burnley, 6.326, 82.21

Carpenter, this year’s Houston winner, makes a big improvement.

L:  (single)
R: Johnny Pilcher, 4.279, 175.58

Nothing here for Pilcher, but he has a nice 4.13 from Friday night.

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: Pro Extreme qualifying

Pro Extreme qualifying
(through 1 of 3 sessions)

1. Joe Baker, 3.979, 188.76
2. Michael Neal, 3.985, 182.48
3. Todd Tutterow, 4.025, 185.25
4. John Lynam, 4.060, 183.52
5. Bubba Stanton, 4.062, 160.83
6. Bennie McDonald, 4.062, 164.65
7. Frankie Taylor, 4.079, 156.74
8. Dwayne Watkins, 4.083, 181.89
9. Travis Swearingen, 4.088, 165.99
10. Bil Clanton, 4.088, 177.30
11. Brian Daniels, 4.102, 176.54
12. Joel Bayless, 4.112, 176.89
13. Hugh Scott, 4.195, 172.61
14. Greg Holt, 4.212, 171.43
15. Joey Martin, 4.213, 176.68
16. Mike Neal, 4.229, 173.48
Not qualified: Jason Scruggs, 4.420, 153.06; T.J. Harrill, 4.459, 146.87; Tommy Mauney, 5.519, 86.53; Herman Sheppard, 7.090, 63.59

L: Tommy Mauney, 5.519, 86.53
R: Jason Scruggs, 4.420, 153.06

Obviously a write-off for Scruggs, whose long string of sub-4-second passes ends.

L: Brian Daniels, 4.102, 176.54
R: Mike Neal, 4.229, 173.48

L: Greg Holt, 4.212, 171.43
R: Todd Tutterow, 4.025, 185.25

Tutterow into the top spot; he’ll be looking to move higher than 15th in the points standings.

L: Frankie Taylor, 4.079, 156.74
R: Michael Neal, 3.985, 182.48

Neal is first into the 3s; a good run for Taylor, too.

L: John Lynam, 4.060, 183.52
R: Bennie McDonald, 4.062, 164.65

Lynam will no doubt use this event to put his Huntsville DNQ behind him.

L: Bil Clanton, 4.088, 177.30
R: Herman Sheppard, 7.090, 63.59

Thinking ahead, Clanton would like to “go rounds.” He’s on a streak of four straight first-round exits.

L: Dwayne Watkins, 4.083, 181.89
R: Travis Swearingen, 4.088, 165.99

Lots of 4s coming now. Swearingen is a precarious seventh in the PX points chase.

L: Joe Baker, 3.979, 188.76
R: Joey Martin, 4.213, 176.68

Valdosta event winner Baker (PICTURED ABOVE) grabs the top position.

L: T.J. Harrill, 4.459, 146.87
R: Bubba Stanton, 4.062, 160.83

Stanton one of three drivers already over 1,000 points for the season.

L: Hugh Scott, 4.195, 172.61
R: Joel Bayless, 4.112, 176.89

July 7, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: Pro Nitrous qualifying

Pro Nitrous qualifying
(through 1 of 3 sessions)

1. Doug Riesterer, 4.040, 178.71
2. Billy Harper, 4.100, 179.57
3. Keith Baker, 4.101, 179.86
4. Buzz Varner, 4.110, 175.51
5. Randy Weatherford, 4.113, 177.37
6. Terry Housley, 4.120, 175.03
7. Thomas Myers, 4.120, 175.51
8. Jamie Hancock, 4.126, 171.56
9. Johnny Pilcher, 4.132, 175.51
10. Greg Godwin, 4.144, 176.61
11. Stan Allen, 4.149, 178.29
12. Steve Vick, 4.154, 175.37
13. Dennis Radford, 4.154, 176.61
14. Charles Carpenter, 4.184, 177.10
15. Kenny Rucker, 4.209, 175.44
16. Ted Smith, 4.220, 170.58
Not qualified: Ed Burnley, 4.591, 161.23; Blake Housley, 4.621, 122.05; Annette Summer, 4.633, 144.09; Dwayne White, 5.117, 98.55; Terry Murphy, 5.618, 96.32; Mike Lockwood, 5.992, 79.46; Rod Houck, 7.572, 44.37; Burton Auxier, 9.185, 46.38; Rex Kelley, NTR.

L: Mike Lockwood, 5.992, 79.46  
R: Annette Summer, 4.633, 144.09

L: Kenny Rucker, 4.209, 175.44
R: Rex Kelley, no time

Left before Tree

L: Blake Housley, 4.621, 122.05
R: Thomas Myers, 4.120, 175.51

Myers will quite possibly gain a step up on Shannon Jenkins (who is not attending) this weekend. They are currently separated by a mere four points in the PN standings.

L: Johnny Pilcher, 4.132, 175.51  
R: Jamie Hancock, 4.126, 171.56

Pilcher opens solidly in his bid to keep his ADRL lifetime qualifying streak active.

L: Keith Baker, 4.101, 179.86  
R: Charles Carpenter, 4.184, 177.10

The defending world champion nearly finds the 4.0s.

L: Burton Auxier, 9.185, 46.38  
R: Billy Harper, 4.100, 179.57

Same for Harper, who would love to move up from the 16th spot in the points standings.

L: Dwayne White, 5.117, 98.55  
R: Doug Riesterer, 4.040, 178.71

Riesterer (PICTURED ABOVE) coming off a semifinal finish in Huntsville; he grabs the No. 1 spot.

L: Ted Smith, 4.220, 170.58
R: Randy Weatherford, 4.113, 177.37

L: Ed Burnley, 4.591, 161.23  
R: Terry Murphy, 5.618, 96.32

Two non-ADRL regulars take a shot at MMD.

L: Dennis Radford, 4.154, 176.61  
R: Terry Housley, 4.120, 175.03

Radford a solid fifth in the standings after back-to-back semifinal showings.

L: Steve Vick, 4.154, 175.37  
R: Greg Godwin, 4.144, 176.61

Godwin is coming off his first career No. 1 finish last month.

L: Buzz Varner, 4.110, 175.51  
R:  (single)

L: Stan Allen, 4.149, 178.29
R: (single)

L: Rod Houck, 7.572, 44.37
R: (single)

July 6, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: Pro Extreme preview

RADFORD, Va. - With the taste of his first Flowmaster American Drag Racing League victory still fresh, there's no reason to believe that Pro Extreme driver Jason Scruggs will not be looking for a repeat performance at this weekend's ADRL.us Independence Drags.

During Scruggs' ADRL career, he has made setting records, qualifying in the No. 1 position, and reaching the late rounds seem easy, but it wasn't until last month's AMS Staff Leasing Summer Drags that he finally broke through for his first ADRL event win. Scruggs was dominant at the Summer Drags, qualifying No. 1 with a 3.859 and recording a total of five straight runs of 3.91 or better en route to destroying the rest of the Pro Extreme field.

Scruggs and the rest of the Pro Extreme class will get their first official qualifying shot at Motor Mile Dragway on Friday night (8 p.m. local time). Saturday features two more qualifying runs (noon and 2 p.m.), with final eliminations scheduled to begin later that afternoon (4 p.m.).

Prior to winning the Summer Drags title, Scruggs had set the ADRL Pro Extreme records multiple times (his current marks stand at 3.813 and 198.44 mph), recorded five No. 1 qualifying positions, and had reached the semifinals of eliminations six times. With his win in Huntsville adding a big number to his AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts points account, Scruggs enters the ADRL.us Independence Drags in a solid second place in the standings, 207 points behind leader Joshua Hernandez.

The ADRL's Pro Extreme class has become a wide-open affair over the past eight events, with eight different drivers wining events during that span. Only one driver - 2005 ADRL world champion John Lynam - has even managed to appear in multiple final rounds during that period.

AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts points standings
(through 4 of 8 events)

1.    Josh Hernandez    1,229
2.    Jason Scruggs    1,022
3.    Bubba Stanton    1,009
4.    Joe Baker    898
5.    Mike Bell    868
6.    John Lynam    813
7.    Travis Swearingen    706
8.    Quain Stott    567
9.    Bil Clanton    517
10.    Michael Neal    490
11.    Dwayne Watkins    488
12.    Bobby Booth    473
13.    Brian Daniels    461
14.    Brandon Pesz    435
15.    Todd Tutterow    393
16.    Bennie McDonald    388
    Kelly Martin    388
18.    Bryan Dyar    362
19.    Herman Sheppard    356
20.    Tommy D'Aprile    338

The top eight points-earners in each class at the completion of the ADRL Eastern Race Fuels DRAGSTOCK IV event, Sept. 14-15, qualify for the AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts championship eliminators, Oct. 12 at the AlphaTrade ADRL World Finals.

July 6, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags: Pro Nitrous preview

RADFORD, Va.  - Pro Nitrous driver Johnny Pilcher already owns the most unique record in the four-year history of the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League, but lately he's been adding something even more important: event wins.

Pilcher, the only ADRL Pro Extreme or Pro Nitrous driver to qualify for every event his class has contested, enters this weekend's ADRL.us Independence Drags at Motor Mile Dragway as the clear favorite in the Pro Nitrous class after winning back-to-back ADRL national events in May and June. In winning the Camp Motorsport Georgia Drags and the AMS Staff Leasing Summer Drags titles, Pilcher has put together an eight-round winning streak and has shot to the top of the AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts points standings, where he enjoys an advantage of more than 400 points over the rest of the class.

The Pro Nitrous class will begin competition Friday with a single qualifying run at 8 p.m. local time. Two more qualifying attempts on Saturday (noon and 2 p.m.) will set the 16-car field for Saturday night's eliminations, which are set to begin at 4 p.m.

Pilcher leads a class that is arguably the most wide open in high-level drag racing. Prior to his winning two straight events, the ADRL's Pro Nitrous division had produced a string of nine different winners in a 10-event span, with only Terry Housley (who won both the 2006 Huntsville event and the rain-delayed 2006 ADRL World Finals) able to win more than once in that period. That same 10-race span also produced nine different runners-up, including Pilcher himself (Houston, 2006) and ADRL veterans such as Todd Tutterow, Billy Harper, Harold Martin, James Hancock III, and 2006 ADRL world champion Keith Baker.

Entering the ADRL.us Independence Drags, Pilcher leads Housley by 422 points at the top of the AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts points standings. Elsewhere, though, the Pro Nitrous points standings are tight, especially from third through fifth place, where a mere seven points separates three drivers.

AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts points standings
(through 4 of 8 events)

1.    Johnny Pilcher    1,518
2.    Terry Housley    1,096
3.    Shannon Jenkins    908
4.    Thomas Myers    904
5.    Dennis Radford    901
6.    C. Carpenter    810
7.    Keith Baker    703
8.    Harold Martin    699
9.    Jamie Hancock    679
10.    Stan Allen    611
11.    Burton Auxier    610
12.    Doug Riesterer    573
13.    Rod Houck    492
14.    R. Weatherford    488
15.    Billy Harper    474
16.    Steve Vick    403
17.    Greg Godwin    374
18.    Mike Lockwood    361
19.    Mike Castellana    282
20.    James Hancock III    209

The top eight points-earners in each class at the completion of the ADRL Eastern Race Fuels DRAGSTOCK IV event, Sept. 14-15, qualify for the AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts championship eliminators, Oct. 12 at the AlphaTrade ADRL World Finals.

July 4, 2007

ADRL.us Independence Drags clarifications

Testing on Wednesday and Thursday

Originally, the ADRL was going to make an exception to its existing policy and allow testing on the Wednesday and Thursday prior to this national event. However, due to very little interest, a relatively poor forecast, and some logistical difficulties, that testing plan was cancelled.

This was a decision made entirely by the ADRL, and Motor Mile Dragway should not be held responsible. The staff at MMD has been working diligently to have the track fully prepped and the track would have been ready and available for testing to begin on Wednesday.

The ADRL apologizes for any inconvenience this decision might have caused, but we felt that it was a choice that was in the best interest of all involved.

Extreme 10.5 and Pro Extreme Motorcycle

Contrary to items posted elsewhere, the issue of parking had nothing to do with these two classes not being contested at the ADRL.us Independence Drags. These two classes were not scheduled to participate at MMD due to the fact that other organizations (ProStar and ORSCA) are also holding events this weekend.

The ADRL wishes to reiterate that both the XTF and PEMX classes are a big part of the ADRL’s future and both classes will be competing at every ADRL national event in 2008. This is the first year for both of these classes, and we have been very pleased with the growth we’ve seen in each.

We do expect a large turnout of Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous cars for the ADRL.us Independence Drags. Although Motor Mile Dragway might be smaller than some of the other facilities the ADRL visits, the parking and amenities at the track are as good as can be found elsewhere on the ADRL tour.

David Hagan and his entire staff at MMD have spent a considerable amount of time and money to improve an already fantastic facility in anticipation of the ADRL’s visit. Much like our situation with Houston Motorsports Park, we have a multi-year agreement with MMD and we look forward to watching both facilities grow with the ADRL.

Final notes

* As of today’s date, more than 70 total entries have been received for the Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous classes.

* The Masters Auto Expo will be held in conjunction with the ADRL.us Independence Drags. More than 250 world-class show cars have already pre-entered for the event.