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October 30, 2009

National Guard ADRL Regrets Memphis Motorsports Park Closing

O’FALLON, MO (Oct. 30, 2009) — The National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) regrets the decision announced today by Dover Motorsports Inc. to close Memphis Motorsports Park (MMP), site of this year’s ADRL Quarter-Max Memphis Drags II, but already is taking steps to replace the venue for its 2010 season.

“I’m saddened by this news, not only because Memphis Motorsports Park hosted one of our most exciting events this season before being cut short by rain, but because it holds sentimental value for me personally as essentially the birthplace of our complimentary ticket program back in 2006,” National Guard ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling said.

Nowling praised MMP Vice President and General Manager Jason Rittenberry and his staff for their hard work at the facility, not only during National Guard ADRL events, but for other major drag racing events and races at the speedway that shares the Millington, Tennessee, grounds.

“I wish Jason and his staff nothing but the best in the future,” Nowling said. “I also want to thank the fans in Memphis who came out in record numbers this May and hope they all will be able to attend another National Guard ADRL event soon.”

A two-day crowd of 58,750 passed through the MMP turnstiles for the ADRL Quarter-Max Memphis Drags II, including more than 38,200 on Saturday alone, representing the largest single-day attendance figure in the drag strip’s 23-year history.

Next year’s National Guard ADRL event at MMP was scheduled for May 28-29, but obviously will need to be moved to a new venue.

“We’re very sorry about not being able to return to Memphis Motorsports Park in 2010, but the good news for National Guard ADRL racers, sponsors and fans is that we’ve had several tracks jockeying for an event date in 2011 and now one of them will be able to start hosting an ADRL event in 2010,” Nowling said. “In fact, I’ve been on the phone with two potential replacements already today and feel quite confident we’ll be able to announce a new event soon, hopefully remaining on the Memorial Day weekend.”

The National Guard ADRL set new attendance records for the drag strip at Memphis Motorsports Park when it visited in May, but the announced closure of the track means a new venue will be announced for next year’s ADRL Memorial Day event.

(ADRL/Tocher/Richards photos)    

October 29, 2009

Hamstra Escapes All Injury

DEMOTTE, IN (October 29, 2009)  – While competing against Joshua Hernandez in a semi-final round of the National Guard ADRL’s championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts Oct. 23, Pro Extreme star Jason Hamstra lost control of his 1968 Camaro near the eighth-mile finish line and crashed heavily into the left retaining wall at the Texas Motorplex, narrowly missing Hernandez as he crossed in front of his ‘57 Chevy.

Hamstra, 22, had posted a 3.78-second pass at 203.46 miles per hour before the accident.

After the crash, he was transported via helicopter to Parkland Hospital in Dallas for observation, but by Sunday was home in Indiana recuperating. Other than some minor bruises, the young racer received no injuries.

“He’s doing well,” stated his mother, Karen Hamstra. “He came out of the ordeal in good shape, not even a concussion.”

Karen went on to say that the car is equipped with the latest and best in safety equipment, and was invaluable during the Friday evening Speedtech Battle for the Belts session.

“We’ve got the latest in safety equipment and it did its stuff,” she said.

Karen also was grateful for the help provided right after the crash, with many coming to the aid of her son.

“I want to thank everybody that helped. I would like to especially thank (Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 racer) Kenny Doak. He just jumped right in there and helped us,” continued Karen. “We also want to thank EMS attendants, the fire fighters, the ADRL and Texas Motorplex crews, along with the doctors and staff at Parkland Hospital.

”Thank you to (National Guard ADRL President and CEO) Kenny Nowling who drove over an hour to the hospital at 2 a.m. to check on Jason. And a special thank you to Jason’s number-one fan Brian Olson for his prayers and support. Thank you also to Dad, Mom, Brianna, Andy, Phil, Justin, the Barklages, the Tutterows, and everyone else who came to our need.”

The National Guard ADRL Web site (www.ADRL.us) received more than 600 e-mails following the crash, asking how Jason was doing, added Karen, who thanked family and friends for their prayers and concern.

Well wishes can be sent to Jason at promod@midwaynet.net.

(ADRL/Richards photos)

October 27, 2009

Balooshi Doubles-Up at Dallas

ENNIS, TX (Oct. 26, 2009) – As the sun went down Friday night on the legendary eighth-mile drag strip at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas, eight of the world’s foremost nitrous racers had assembled in the staging lanes, preparing to fight it out for the most coveted title in the world of fast door slammer drag racing—the National Guard ADRL Pro Nitrous world championship—a title that can be obtained only through winning the Speedtech Nitrous ADRL Battle for the Belts, of which the Al-Anabi Racing team had three cars entered with Mike Castellana, K.A. Balooshi and Burton Auxier at the controls.

From the very first race of the season, the entire Al-Anabi stable shared a common goal of placing all four of the team’s Pro Nitrous cars in the Speedtech Nitrous ADRL Battle for the Belts and coming out of the final points-earning race of the year in Rockingham, North Carolina, last month, the team had succeeded in accomplishing its goal. With four spots of the available eight, His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani had perhaps a better chance than anyone at leaving Dallas with a world championship.

The unexpected passing of Shannon “The Iceman” Jenkins’ father, Gaylon, though, kept the legendary driver and team crew chief from attending the season-ending event.

Despite the absence of Jenkins, who respectfully stayed at home to comfort his family, but offered his support and guidance through the phone, the team remained confident. Brandon Switzer, co-owner of Speedtech Innovative Nitrous Solutions, came in to serve as crew chief for the team’s cars for the weekend and do his part to ensure a victory for Al-Anabi Racing. With Jenkins out of the mix, Pat Stoken, who was ninth in the National Guard ADRL Pro Nitrous points standings, was inserted into the Speedtech Battle for the Belts field.

In the opening round of action, Auxier dismissed Johnny Pilcher with an on-and-off the throttle 3.929 at only 179.88 mph while Castellana and Balooshi edged Stoken and Stan Allen, respectively, in similar fashion. For the semi-final rounds, Castellana and Balooshi would be forced to face one another while Auxier was left to deal with season-long points leader Jim Halsey.

In a disheartening turn of events, Castellana’s feared ’70.5 Chevy Camaro wouldn’t start in the staging lanes, later found to be the result of a bad battery, giving Balooshi a competition single into the final round. The “Beast from the Middle East” took advantage of the solo pass, though, and recorded his quickest pass of the weekend with a 3.879 at 192.41mph.

Auxier’s matchup with Halsey would prove to be slightly more exciting as the pair of first-generation F-Body Camaros were within two-hundredths-of-a-second off the starting line, but quickly separated as Halsey suffered a massive nitrous explosion while Auxier trucked on to the win – creating the third all Al-Anabi Racing team final of the year.

“While we’ve had Shannon on our minds all weekend, we’re excited to be able to put two Al-Anabi Racing cars in the Speedtech Nitrous Battle for the Belts final and know that we’re going to be able to put a world championship belt in the hands of Sheikh Khalid,” Castellana said. “It’s really a testament to the team effort put forth over the course of the entire year, but especially this weekend.”

In the final round for the $50,000 National Guard ADRL Pro Nitrous championship and the coveted championship belt, Auxier and Balooshi, squared off in a highly anticipated pairing of two of the category’s most impressive cars. Known for his prowess on the starting line, especially in terms of reaction time, Auxier pushed the tree, leaving four-thousandths-of-a-second too early and lit the red bulb, sending Balooshi to the winner’s circle and the history books in 3.906 seconds.

The pride of Dubai and a three-time Arabian Gulf Region champion, Balooshi became the first foreign-born racer to win an American-based drag racing championship.

“This is great for Al-Anabi Racing,” said an obviously elated Balooshi. “The result of the best car, the best motor and the best team.”

Equally excited was His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, Al-Anabi Racing team-owner.

“This is the level of performance that is expected from the team we have assembled to race in the ADRL,” said Al Thani, checking in via cell phone from Europe. “The effort put forth by this team over the course of the last two years, combined with the efforts of Speedtech Nitrous and Reher-Morrison Racing Engines, has ensured that this Al-Anabi Racing team be of championship caliber.

“Without Shannon Jenkins, whose knowledge and racing experience has propelled this team to this level, it was obvious that we were facing an uphill battle for the championship. Brandon Switzer, though, co-owner and chief engineer at Speedtech Innovative Nitrous Solutions, stepped in for the weekend and helped get the job done. Not only does that say a lot for the team, it says a lot about Speedtech Nitrous and the knowledge behind their products.”

With the championship hunt behind them and the dawn of the 2010 racing season upon them, the Al-Anabi Racing team looked to establish an early lead on Saturday by winning the first race counting toward the 2010 National Guard ADRL season on Saturday night. With all three cars qualified for the show, there were 13 other competitors between the Al-Anabi team and doubling up by winning two races in one weekend.

Dispatching Pilcher in the opening round, Balooshi was once again forced to face his teammates in both the quarter and semifinal rounds of action, where he used a string of 3.8-second runs to enter his second final round in a single day of racing. Going up against perhaps the most decorated racer in fast door slammer history, Charles Carpenter and his legendary ’55 Chevy Shoebox, Balooshi would surely need to make it from A to B under power as a lethal degree of consistency had propelled Carpenter to the final.

Despite a disadvantage at the starting line, Balooshi used the quickest and fastest pass in the history of nitrous door slammer racing, a 3.815 at 196.42 mph, to take the win and his first-ever National Guard ADRL Minuteman trophy.

(ADRL/Richards/Lorenzini/Tocher photos) 

October 25, 2009

Fiery Finish to LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V

ENNIS, TX (Oct. 24, 2009) — Alex Hossler (left) won his career-first National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme event in memorable fashion, crossing the eighth-mile finish line at the Texas Motorplex with his 1970 Camaro on fire after posting a 3.73-seconds pass at 202.48 miles per hour to beat Quain Stott in the final round of the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V.

Also earning National Guard Minuteman trophies at the final event of the National Guard ADRL’s year, but the first points-paying opportunity of the 2010 season were new class champion Khalid Al-Balooshi in Pro Nitrous, Extreme 10.5 racer Chuck Ulsch, Scott Gray, who also won his first Pro Extreme Motorcycle championship earlier in the day, and Cary Goforth with his first official Extreme Pro Stock win. Morgan Benfield of Virginia Beach, Virginia also won her first Junior Minuteman in the exhibition Pro Jr. Dragster class.

“How’s that for a spectacular finish?” Hossler asked upon climbing from his car after stopping on the track where safety crews sprayed the engine with a fire extinguisher. “It banged the blower right when we crossed the line, but it lasted just long enough to get the job done.”

Hossler and Stott left almost simultaneously, but when a 3.75 at 205.57-mph pass flashed across Stott’s scoreboard, it translated to a .021 margin of victory for Hossler, who hails from Canton, Illinois.

The Pro Nitrous final was close, too, but only because Al-Balooshi (right) had an off-the-pace .191 reaction time attached to a record-setting pass of 3.81 seconds at 196.42 mph that easily eclipsed the 3.98/184.88 combination assembled by veteran Charles Carpenter.

It marked Al-Balooshi’s career-first National Guard ADRL event title, though earlier in the day, he also won the National Guard ADRL’s championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts when Al-Anabi Racing teammate Burton Auxier was disqualified from the final for leaving .004 before the green light flashed.

“It is good for the Al-Anabi team,” said Al-Balooshi, who calls Doha, Qatar, home. “Very exciting to win.”

The World Finals V Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 final offered a measure of payback for Ulsch (left), who faced off against Spiro Pappas for the second time in one day after Pappas stepped up to win the Speedtech Battle for the Belts final. The Clarksville, Maryland-based driver didn’t miss the opportunity, either, taking a holeshot win in his supercharged ’68 Camaro over Pappas’ turbocharged 2009 Pontiac GXP entry.

Leaving with a .021 reaction to a .115 in the opposite lane, Ulsch put together a 3.94 lap at 201.46 mph that beat out the 3.92 at 193.27 that delivered Pappas a new elapsed time record, but a runner-up finish.

“That feels good! I’m glad I was able to do my job and help my teammates get the win,” Ulsch declared. “I owed him that one!”

Like Balooshi, Pro Extreme Motorcycle winner Gray (right), from Ocala, Florida, doubled up from his earlier Speedtech Battle for the Belts triumph, running 4.21 at 170.67 mph aboard his ’08 Suzuki to down Lance Hines in the World Finals V final.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in that it’s happened,” Gray said of his two-timing win. “After winning the Belt I kind of relaxed because we had accomplished what we came here to do, which was win the championship, but maybe that’s what helped me win tonight, too. I wasn’t too uptight about what was happening.”

The Extreme Pro Stock final came down to a classic Ford versus Chevy match, with Goforth’s 2008 Cobalt coming out on top over the ’09 Mustang of Scott Hintz in his National Guard ADRL debut. Goforth (left), from Holdenville, Oklahoma, ran low ET of the meet for the class with a 4.06 win at 177.23 mph over 4.151 at 173.65 by Hintz.

“This feels so good,” Goforth said, hoisting the National Guard Minuteman trophy high after his first official Extreme Pro Stock win, though he did win last year at Rockingham, North Carolina, when the class was in its introductory exhibition stage. “This is for my team, for the guys on my team, who worked so hard to put me here today.”

Televised coverage of the Speedtech Battle for the Belts will air Sunday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. Eastern on the Versus network, with coverage of the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V to follow two weeks later on Sunday, Nov. 22, also at 3 p.m. Eastern on the Versus television network.

October 25, 2009

‘King Tutt’ Reigns in Speedtech Battle for the Belts

ENNIS, TX (Oct. 24, 2009) — Todd Tutterow (left) turned on the win light three times over two days at the Texas Motorplex to secure his first National Guard American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL) Pro Extreme world championship.

The Yadkinville, North Carolina-based driver entered the championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts—a unique eight-car playoff for the top points earners in the class—in fifth place and raced through Mike Janis, two-time defending series champ Jason Scruggs and Joshua Hernandez to take the Belt. 

“This is awesome,” the new reigning champ declared as he hoisted the Belt high. “Where else can you race for $50,000 against the very best door cars and drivers in the world? What the ADRL has created here is something really special and something I feel truly honored to win.”

Joining Tutterow as new National Guard ADRL World Champions are (below, clockwise from upper left) Khalid Al-Balooshi, who made 28-hour, round-trip flights from Qatar in the Middle East to compete in each of 10 Pro Nitrous events; Chicago racer Spiro Pappas who prevailed from an eighth-place start in Flowmaster Extreme 10.5; Ocala, Florida’s Scott Gray with a championship run in Pro Extreme Motorcycle from the number-one position; and Matt Hartford from Phoenix, Arizona, who scored the Extreme Pro Stock title in his final appearance in the class. 

Al-Balooshi beat his Al-Anabi Racing teammate, Burton Auxier of Dixie, West Virginia, in the final round when Auxier left four-thousandths of a second too soon. He previously beat Stan Allen in the opening round and another Al-Anabi teammate, Mike Castellana, whose car would not start with a faulty battery in the semi-finals. 

As the eighth-place starter, Pappas actually had to win four times for his Speedtech Battle for the Belts triumph, since numbers seven and eight initially raced to earn a berth against the second-place qualifier while number one in each class received a first-round bye.    

So, Pappas opened with a win over Jake Carlton to reach Gary White, then got past Jeff Naiser before leading stripe-to-stripe over Chuck Ulsch, the quickest and fastest record holder for the class.

“It’s been a long, tough road to get here, but my guys never gave up and it was all worth it,” Pappas said. “This took a real team effort.”

As the top points earner in Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Gray had the free pass from round one to the semis where he edged Travis Davis thanks to taking a starting-line advantage. Gray won the final with another holeshot performance, leaving .022 ahead of Ashley Owens and finishing just eight thousandths ahead.

“Wow, that was a close one, but we’ll take it. Without a doubt, this is a huge, huge win for us,” Gray said.

Hartford, who is leaving the Billy Dingman crew for other racing opportunities next year, started third and took out Dean Goforth in round one before he and Doug Kirk both ran exactly the same times in the semis, but Kirk left a single thousandth too soon to turn on the red light off the start. Hartford narrowly outran number-one Belts qualifier Brian Gahm in the final round.

“What a way to go out,” Hartford said. “I want to thank Billy Dingman and all my crew for giving me a great car all year and hope they get to repeat again next season.”

(ADRL/Richards/Tocher photos)

October 24, 2009

Speedtech Battle for the Belts Finals Postponed

ENNIS, TX (Oct. 24, 2009) — Qualifying for the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V was cut short Friday evening at the Texas Motorplex following a violent single-car accident involving young Pro Extreme star Jason Hamstra.

While racing Joshua Hernandez in the semi-finals of the 2009 championship-determining Speedtech Battle for the Belts, Hamstra, 22, lost control of his 1968 Camaro near the eighth-mile finish line and crashed heavily from the right lane into the left guardwall after posting a 3.78-seconds pass at 203.46 mph over the eighth-mile course. Though Hamstra (left) passed closely in front of Hernandez, who already had his ’57 Chevy’s parachutes out after going 3.74 at 204.08 to take the win, no contact was made between the cars.

The Hamstra-Hernandez pairing was the last race scheduled before qualifying resumed for the Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme classes, but faced with a lengthy clean-up after the accident, National Guard ADRL officials cut Friday’s program short, announcing one final round of qualifying for all classes on Saturday. The Speedtech Battle for the Belts finals will follow, with all runs also counting as qualifying passes.

Joining Hernandez in the Pro Extreme Belts final will be Todd Tutterow, with Al-Anabi Racing teammates Burton Auxier and Khalid Al-Balooshi facing off for the Pro Nitrous title. In Flowmaster Extreme 10.5, Chuck Ulsch and Spiro Pappas will battle for Belts supremacy, while Scott Gray and Ashley Owens will decide the Pro Extreme Motorcycle title. The inaugural Extreme Pro Stock Speedtech Battle for the Belts will go to either Brian Gahm or Matt Hartford.

Current number-one qualifiers include Quain Stott (Pro Extreme), Jim Halsey (Pro Nitrous), Ulsch (Flowmaster Extreme 10.5), Eric McKinney (Pro Extreme Motorcycle) and Cary Goforth (Extreme Pro Stock).

Qualifying will resume at noon Saturday, followed by all five Belts finals, then elimination rounds for the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V, with all points earned counting toward the 2010 Speedtech Battle for the Belts points chase.

Maryland’s Chuck Ulsch is currently the top qualifier in the Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 class for the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V and also a finalist for the championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts.

(ADRL/Richards photos)

October 23, 2009

Al-Anabi Team Missing Jenkins

ENNIS, TX (Oct. 23, 2009) – With a combined five wins and six total final round appearances, two of which featured a pair of Al-Anabi Racing team cars, the National Guard ADRL’s most formidable multi-car Pro Nitrous team has converged on the legendary Texas Motorplex near Dallas for the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V, featuring the championship-deciding Speedtech Nitrous Battle for the Belts.

After dominating the second half of the National Guard ADRL season, the Al-Anabi Racing team, featuring veteran drivers Mike Castellana, Shannon “Iceman” Jenkins, K.A. Balooshi and Burton Auxier, have all locked in a spot in the eight-car Battle for the Belts, and anticipate adding an ADRL Pro Nitrous world championship to their team’s resume – featuring multiple championship seasons in other organizations.

A vital piece of the Al-Anabi Racing team, though, seasoned driver and world renowned nitrous-tuning mind, Shannon Jenkins, will be absent from the weekend’s festivities as he tends to his family in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, after his father, Gaylon, passed away from unexpected complications following a routine surgery. The honorable and selfless decision will keep the sport’s best nitrous tuner away from the starting line at Texas Motorplex, but he’ll still be lending a helping hand as his teammates chase their first National Guard ADRL Pro Nitrous championship.

“I’m only a phone call away,” Jenkins said with a heavy heart. “During this time, I want to be with my family, and as much as I’d love to be letting the clutch out this weekend, home is where I want and need to be during this time.

“Brandon Switzer [co-owner of Speedtech Innovative Nitrous Solutions] will be in control of the cars this weekend, making the calls, but I’ll be offering as much help as I can through the phone as the race plays out. We’ve had a good run here and I’ve got a lot of faith in this team.”

While undeniably missing the “Iceman’s” presence and expertise this weekend, the entire Al-Anabi Racing team is equally concerned with the difficult time facing Jenkins, their long-time friend and fellow racer.

“We’ll have Shannon on our minds this weekend,” said Castellana, driver of the Al-Anabi Racing ’70.5 Camaro (above) with three wins this season. “The guys have worked so hard this season and the struggle of the last few years has really started to pay off with big performances and some success. It surely won’t be the same without him, but we’ve got every intention of winning this Speedtech Nitrous Battle for the Belts for Shannon, and his father.”

Unbeaten in final-round appearances, Castellana will lead the charge at the title, closely followed by Balooshi and Auxier who’ve made their presence known over the course of the last few events. Albeit one man down, the Al-Anabi Racing team looks good going into the final showdown of the season.

October 23, 2009

National Guard Team in Championship March

The National Guard-backed AMS Pro Extreme team marches into its home track at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas this weekend, ready to do battle in the 2009 season-ending Speedtech Battle for the Belts and Lenmar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V.

Joshua Hernandez, driver of the the stealth camouflaged ‘57 Chevy National Guard entry, will be leading the charge in a championship quest from the number-three position in the eight-car field of the quickest and fastest blown doorslammers on the planet. Hernandez says he’s ready to let it all hang out.

“This is what it is all about, this is what we worked and bled for all year,” he says.

“This championship is more than just about prize money or trophies, this is who we are and what we do,” agrees legendary crew chief Jim Oddy. “And no one deserves it more than (team owner) Dave Wood, who has given our team everything it needs to win, has been totally supportive in both good and bad times and is a true friend to all racers and fans alike.

Troy Critchley, who builds the 3,000-horsepower engines for the AMS National Guard Team and also runs Hammer Superchargers, a AMS Team sub-company, was quick to second Oddy’s comments.

“We have spent the last six weeks, changing out parts, rebuilding engines, superchargers, and basically fine tuning every aspect of the ‘57 Chevy National Guard entry, so we are ready to rock and roll,” Critchley states. “It’s up to Josh now, and the team couldn’t be in better hands. Josh is a two time world champion ( in another sanctioning body) and definitely knows how to get it done.”

Hernandez will face off against young Pro Extreme star Cody Barklage in round one of the championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts, which represents the close of the 2009 National Guard ADRL season. The LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V is actually the first points-paying event of the 2010 season.

“We have the perfect opportunity to cap off the ‘09 season with a championship on Friday night and get a leg up on the 2010 season with a win on Saturday,” assitant crew chief Dave Oddy points out.

“I like our chances, with our Critchley powerplant and  Joshua driving, confidence is running high,” his father adds.

(ADRL/Richards file photos)

October 22, 2009

Barklage Basks in Belts Appearance

ENNIS, TX (Oct. 22, 2009)— Cody Barklage and his Lucas Oil-backed team will make their first-ever appearance in the National Guard ADRL’s championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts this weekend at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.   “We’re excited and honored to be a part of the Battle,” said Barklage.  “When the season started, we set a goal to make it to the Battle, and here we are. It’s hard to imagine that just two years ago, our team had to completely rebuild. Now, we’ve proved we are one of the best Pro Extreme (teams) in the country.” In addition to the Speedtech Battle for the Belts, which will determine the 2009 National Guard ADRL World Champions, the Barklage team also has to focus on the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V, which represents the first points-earning opportunity for next season.                    

“It’s basically like running two races in one weekend,” Barklage said. “Obviously we want to go as far as possible in the Battle, but we also have the regular event to run. The race we have this weekend will actually count for 2010 points. For us, we just want to start off next season on the right foot.”

“Regardless what happens this weekend, I’m thrilled to be here,” he added. “It’s been one crazy road, but I feel we are right where we’re supposed to be.

 

“Unfortunately, we didn’t do much testing since the last event, but we know we have a good car. Our Lucas Oil, Goodyear Pontiac always does what we ask her to. It seems impossible just a few events back I won my first Minuteman, and now we’re in the last round of our fight to be World Champ.”

(ADRL/Tocher/Bunsold file photos)

 

 

October 22, 2009

Bush and D’Aprile Ready for New Season

ELMA, NY (Oct. 22, 2009)— To say the Mel Bush Motorsports Pro Extreme team has had a rocky 2009 would be an understatement. Switching sanctioning bodies, debuting a new car and several bouts of bad luck have made the 2009 season one that team owner Mel Bush would rather put behind him.

“It’s been tough,” he admits after mounting a full-time effort for the first time with the National Guard ADRL this year and introducing a new ‘70.5 Camaro at Hebron, Ohio in the third-last event on the schedule. “This season has taken a lot out of me and I just want to go to the races and have fun again. This format of finishing the year with the start of the next season is fine with me; the quicker this one’s over, the better.”

Bush is referring to the National Guard ADRL’s practice of wrapping up its championship runs with the Speedtech Battle for the Belts this Friday on the opening day of the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V, with all points earned in qualifying and eliminations on Saturday counting toward qualifying for the 2010 Speedtech Battle for the Belts points race.

Team driver Tommy D’Aprile tends toward always looking at the brighter side of things, but even he agrees with his boss on the team’s luck of late.

“Things just haven’t been going our way,” D’Aprile said. “Every time we made one step forward we got pushed back two steps, heck sometimes three, but that’s in the past now and we’re really looking forward to this race as a new beginning.”

(ADRL/Richards file photos)

October 22, 2009

Nowling Named Grand Marshal for Shakedown at E-Town

O’FALLON, MO (Oct. 22, 2009) — National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) President and CEO Kenny Nowling knows as well as anyone the havoc wet weather can play on a motorsports event.

But opportunity can sometimes sprout forth from a downpour, as happened for Nowling with the rain-postponed 7th annual Al-Anabi Racing Shakedown at E-Town, an independent drag race recently moved to Nov. 6-8, at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey.

“As soon as I knew we had to postpone our race to after the ADRL season wrapped up I got on the phone to Kenny and invited him to become our Grand Marshal and Master of Ceremonies,” Shakedown founder and promoter David Hance said. “We wanted it to be someone who’s contributed to the furthering of doorslammer racing and I don’t know of anyone more deserving, to tell the truth.”

Nowling, who has fostered the ADRL from a single event in 2004 to what is now the second-largest professional drag racing series in the world, said he is honored and humbled to be included in what has become one of the most significant annual independent “doorslammer” races in the country.

“Dave is to be commended for what he’s created with the Shakedown at E-Town. He and his people approach the race with the same passion and dedication that we bring to the National Guard ADRL, so when he asked if I’d do it, I agreed immediately,” Nowling said.

Hance, who also competes as a driver in the National Guard ADRL’s Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 class, said Nowling’s willingness to take on the role convinced him he’d made the right choice.

“I actually thought he’d tell me he’d have to think about it,” Hance admitted. “But when I suggested he check his calendar and get back to me, Kenny said, ‘No way, I don’t have to, I’ll clear my calendar for this.’ That meant an awful lot to me.”

As part of his Grand Marshal duties, Nowling will flip the switch as honorary starter for the first pair of cars down the track in eliminations for the Shakedown at E-Town and Hance said he also will receive a commemorative award recognizing Nowling’s contribution to popularizing heads-up, door-car racing.

“I’ve watched the Shakedown from a distance for years and it’s very exciting to know I get to be a part of it this time,” Nowling said. “Besides, it’ll be nice to watch a race where I don’t feel responsible for every little thing. I’m really looking forward to this.”    

October 21, 2009

Titan Adds Aeromotive as Sponsor

ORLANDO, FL (Oct. 21, 2009)—Titan Motorsports is proud to announce that Aeromotive Fuel Systems will be the supplier of fuel system components for Titan Motorsports Racing, competing with a turbocharged 2007 Scion in the National Guard ADRL Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 class. 

“We have been using Aeromotive products ever since we have started racing and we’re excited that they have chosen our championship-winning race team to represent their great brand,” Titan Motorsports owner Nero Deliwala said, “Titan Motorsports has a long-standing relationship with Aeromotive through both our racing program and parts distribution business. President and founder of Aeromotive Steve Matusek and his great support staff have always provided excellent service and it has always been a pleasure working with Aeromotive.”

Matusek said he is “excited” to join Titan Motorsports as a team sponsor.

“Although we have been working together for years we wanted to take advantage of the success Titan Motorsports has had with their racing program and in turn grow our business as well as theirs,” he said.

Titan Motorsports with driver Gary White is going after a 2009 National Guard ADRL world championship this weekend as they compete in the Speedtech Battle for the Belts on day one of the Oct. 23-24, LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. All points earned in qualifying on Saturday at the World Finals V will count toward qualifying for the 2010 Speedtech Battle for the Belts.

”It seems only fitting that we team up in preparation for the 2010 ADRL race season,” Deliwala added. “Every race we have consistently gotten better and faster, and with the help and support of sponsors like Aeromotive the 2010 ADRL season looks extremely promising.”

(ADRL/Bunsold/Richards file photos)

October 21, 2009

Patrick Predicts New XPS Record

DALLAS, TX (Oct. 21, 2009)— National Guard ADRL Extreme Pro Stock (XPS) racer Robert Patrick has been around drag racing long enough to know it’s unpredictable.

However, for the Purvis Ford-sponsored driver from Fredericksburg, Virginia, at this weekend’s LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V at Ennis, Texas, there are two things he believes could easily come to pass.

First, the forecast mid-60 degree temperatures on Friday will set the stage for a record-setting affair during the championship-determining Speedtech Battle for the Belts competition.

Second, when it comes to the competition, any of the eight finalists are capable of taking home the championship on Friday evening.

Patrick competed last year at Ennis in the National Guard ADRL’s Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 division and had a tough time backing down his naturally-aspirated Shelby Cobra Mustang to accept the challenge of channeling his horsepower through the 10.5-inch-wide slicks. Last year, the series didn’t offer an Extreme Pro Stock class during the final event.

This year Extreme Pro Stock has been elevated from part-time, exhibition status to an official, full-time class.

“I know when I ran there last year we had air that was incredible,” Patrick confirmed. “I’ve run in air that good once before and it was earlier in the season at Valdosta, Georgia, and ran a 4.05. I always believed that we left some on the table that day. This weekend is going to be even better than both of those instances.”

Patrick currently holds the National Guard ADRL Extreme Pro Stock elapsed time record with a 4.059-seconds pass recorded during the ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags last April at Valdosta.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if that record falls early on Friday,” he added.

Credit his confidence, Patrick beams, to the fact Friday’s Speedtech Battle for the Belts competition will pit eight equally-minded Extreme Pro Stock drivers gunning for the first-ever championship in the class.

As the number-eight seed, Patrick believes he’s got just as good of a chance as his seven fellow competitors.

“I really believe what you’ll see in Dallas is a battle of eight cars equally capable of winning this Battle for the Belts competition,” he said. “I expect to have my work cut out for me.

“On the same token, I really believe the car is as good as it has ever been. We’ve really worked on our engines and when we get to Ennis, we’ll have a few bullets ready to go. The power Bob Ingles provides us is on par with everyone else in the class. That’s what it’s going to take. It’s going to take me being the sharpest I’ve ever been on the tree and in my driving.”

October 21, 2009

Speedtech Battle for the Belts Scheduled as Race-Within-a-Race

O’FALLON, MO (Oct. 21, 2009) — This Friday at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, the National Guard ADRL’s unique Speedtech Battle for the Belts will pit the top eight points earners for each of the eighth-mile series’ five professional classes—Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Flowmaster Extreme 10.5, Pro Extreme Motorcycle and Extreme Pro Stock—against each other to determine world champions, while all points earned through qualifying and elimination rounds the next day in the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V will count toward the 2010 points chase.

It helped if your name was Billy. Last year’s Speedtech Battle for the Belts world champions included (l-r): Billy Glidden in Flowmaster Extreme 10.5, Jason Scruggs in Pro Extreme, Billy Harper in Pro Nitrous and Billy Vose in Pro Extreme Motorcycle. Only Glidden and Scruggs have an opportunity to repeat in 2009, however.

New for this year, though, is an initial bye run granted to each points leader, which also requires the seventh- and eighth-place Belts qualifiers in each class to race each other first, with the winner taking on the number-two contender in the Belts quarter-finals. Meanwhile, number three will take on number six and four will race five, just as in a traditional eight-car eliminations ladder.

“That first-round bye is big; ever since (the ADRL) announced that’s what they were doing, we focused on being number one,” defending back-to-back Pro Extreme champ Jason Scruggs stated. “It gives you an extra free shot at the track, which is a pretty big deal, but you still have to capitalize on it. You’re still going for lane choice (in the semis), so you want to make sure and make a good pass.”

National Guard ADRL Executive Vice President of Competition Bert Corzine explained that World Finals V qualifying for all classes will begin at noon on Friday and all Belts contenders will make that first qualifying run without facing elimination. Speedtech Battle for the Belts racing will commence at the beginning of second-round qualifying with the numbers seven and eight starters from all five classes opening the session.

After round two of qualifying, a brief pre-race ceremony about 6:30 p.m. will introduce the quarter-finals of the Speedtech Battle for the Belts, including the first-round byes for each points leader, and each pass by all entries in the Belts pairings will also count as third qualifying attempts.

“We’ll allow about 75 to 90 minutes for everyone still in the hunt for the semis to get ready,” Corzine said. “Then we’ll interrupt qualifying about halfway through round three and run them just like we’ve done the last few years.”

Once all World Finals V qualifying is in the books, and again after allowing a reasonable time for preparations, the Speedtech Battle for the Belts finals will determine all five 2009 National Guard ADRL world champions. The evening will be capped off by a much-anticipated showdown between the Bigfoot and Snakebite monster trucks, a thrilling, flame-throwing jet-car pass and finally, massive victory lane celebrations that fans will be invited to join in order to honor the new champions.

“We’re guaranteed at least three of five new world champions this year,” National Guard ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling (above right) pointed out, as Extreme Pro Stock is in its maiden year, defending Pro Nitrous champ Billy Harper opted out of racing in ’09 and two-time defending Pro Extreme Motorcycle champion Billy Vose failed to make the eight-rider cut to defend his title.

“It’s really impossible to predict what’s going to happen,” Nowling said. “For an organization that’s supposedly dominated by money and all these other things, the parity is almost uncomfortable. This has all the makings of a truly epic race and all eyes in the drag racing universe will be on Ennis, Texas, this Friday night.”

Complimentary tickets to the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V are available at many service stations, restaurants and retail outlets in Ennis and the surrounding area and are available for purchase through the Texas Motorplex box office. Spectator gates open at 9 a.m. both days of the event.

National Guard ADRL fans packed the Texas Motorplex stands last October for the series’ championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts and an even bigger crowd is expected this year for day one of the Oct. 23-24, LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V in Ennis, Texas.

(ADRL/Tocher/Richards/Lorenzini file photos)

October 20, 2009

Janis Team Plays Host on Championship Weekend

ELMA, NY (Oct. 20, 2009) — This weekend will be jam packed for the Eaton/Aeroquip-backed Mike Janis Racing Team.

Not only will Friday night represent the conclusion of the 2009 season with Janis competing in the National Guard ADRL’s ultra-competitive, championship-deciding Pro Extreme Speedtech Battle for the Belts, but Saturday will mark the beginning of his 2010 National Guard ADRL campaign.

Then, adding to an already busy race weekend, the Eaton/Aeroquip team will be hosting guests from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Peterbilt and Waste Management in a hospitality area adjacent to their pit space.

With the 2009 Pro Extreme title on the line in Friday night’s eight-car Battle for the Belts shootout, Janis and crew are planning a no-holds-barred attack on the competition. In preparation for the event they left their Elma, NY, shop several days early, heading to Texas for a much-needed test session.

“We’re looking at Friday as an all-or-nothing race,” crew chief Mike Janis Jr. declared. “We’re planning on giving her whatever it’ll take to get the job done. We’re leaving nothing on the table.”

Team owner and driver Janis Sr. (right) and his son will take part Saturday morning in a brief question-and-answer period with a group from the SAE and later in the day will welcome employees from both Peterbilt and Waste Management.

When qualifying and racing begins at noon, guests will have a close-up view of between-round maintenance by the Eaton/Aeroquip team.

Mike Janis won twice in 2009 with his Dan Page-built ‘68 Firebird and his fourth-place points finish earned one of the coveted eight qualifying spots for the championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts. Janis will face off against Todd Tutterow in round one of Belts action Friday night in the Oct. 23-24, LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, south of Dallas.

(ADRL/Rouweyha/Tocher/Schiltz file photos)

October 19, 2009

Rummerfield Plans PX Debut

Patrick Rummerfield, the first fully functional SCI quadriplegic in the history of medicine and a former motivational speaker in the National Guard ADRL’s “Guarding Our Youth” program, is going to be piloting a 1993 Chevy Lumina in the Pro Extreme class at this weekend’s LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, TX.

The car, owned by Barry Wade and campaigned out of the Raptor Performance Motorsports camp, is currently carrying a 540 c.i. motor fitted with a single, 114 mm turbocharger up front (right). Initial plans called for Rummerfield’s National Guard ADRL debut to come in the Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 class, but after an initial test last Friday night in Kennedale, TX, the decision was reached to bolt the big tires back on and enter Pro Extreme.

“We’re just looking to get our feet wet with the ADRL this weekend in preparation for hopefully a full season in 2010,” explained Wade, who will be serving as crew chief. “If everything goes well and we can get everything in order, I’m planning on building two new ‘67 Camaros for Patrick and myself to drive next season.”

The team also has secured sponsorship from GDT TEK, Inc. and DR. GADGET for the World Finals V, which will include several product giveaways at the event.

Rummerfield is no stranger to meeting challenges head on. Following a 1974 car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, he entered an uncharted and grueling regimen of physical therapy and physical and psychological support that through sheer determination and an iron will, he managed to regain function to his limbs.

He went on to race marathons all over the world, including the Ironman Triathlon, the Gobi Desert march, and the Antarctica marathon, and to establish an FIA World Land Speed record in an electric car, along with 33 other “world’s firsts.” Rummerfield works with the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute and has co-founded Adventures on Wheels, a nonprofit organization developed to bring the world of adventure to those affected by spinal cord injury.

(Photos courtesy Patrick Rummerfield and Barry Wade)

October 12, 2009

National Guard ADRL Adds Monster Trucks to World Finals

O’FALLON, MO (Oct. 12, 2009) — Halloween will still be a week away, but monsters will be set loose at the Texas Motorplex Oct. 23-24, when “BIGFOOT,” the biggest name in monster truck history, takes on the equally intimidating “Snake-Bite” in a special, eighth-mile drag racing grudge match during the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V, the championship-deciding season ender for the National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL).

The special race-within-a-race is being added to the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V courtesy of Summit Racing Equipment, primary sponsor of Team BIGFOOT and title sponsor of the Summit Racing Equipment ADRL Ohio Drags at National Trail Raceway, near Columbus, Ohio.

“When we started discussing how Summit Racing Equipment could become a part of the ADRL World Finals it just seemed like a perfect time to bring these two powerful marketing partners together,” Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports and Events Manager Jim Greenleaf said. “Bob Chandler and the guys with BIGFOOT always put on a great show and that’s what makes this such a perfect fit with the great drag racing event than Kenny Nowling and his ADRL crew put together. So you know this is going to be a big hit with the fans.” 

Weighing in at 10,000 pounds apiece, each truck will fight to put more than 1,500 horsepower to the pavement daily at the Ennis, Texas, drag strip.

“Just like all of our pro racing classes, this will be no gimmicks, heads-up, first-one-to-the-finish-line-wins racing,” National Guard ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling stated. “I can’t wait to stand between these monsters when they light them up. The fans at the Motorplex are in for a real treat.”

“We are extremely excited to bring monster truck drag racing to the ADRL,” BIGFOOT 4X4 Inc. Vice President Bob Trent added.

Both monster trucks will be on display all weekend during the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V, with BIGFOOT driver Dan Runte and Snake-Bite’s Larry Swim also available to sign autographs. They will race following the conclusion of the National Guard ADRL’s championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts finals on Friday night, just before Mike “Hojo” Hojnacki closes out the day with a flame-throwing, jet-car blast and again on Saturday night following the Pro Extreme final for the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V.

(Photos courtesy Team BIGFOOT)

October 12, 2009

VP Racing Fuels Revamps Online Presence

VP Racing Fuels, the official racing fuel supplier of the National Guard ADRL, has redesigned and relaunched its Web site (www.vpracingfuels.com).

“In addition to fuels that make more horsepower and torque with reliable consistency, VP has a true competitive advantage with a product portfolio of nearly 70 fuel blends and our ability to custom formulate fuels for virtually any niche racing application,” said Steve Scheidker, VP’s executive director of marketing and communications. “But many customers have told us it can be confusing to determine their best fuel option with so many available. In response to this concern, we reconfigured our Web site to make it easy for customers to zero in on the most appropriate VP fuel to meet their needs.”

This means, for instance, that National Guard ADRL competitors can go straight to the drag racing section of the VP site, where a photo of National Guard ADRL racer Mike Hill’s Extreme 10.5 entry is prominently featured.

The new site also makes it easy for customers to tap into the expertise available on VP’s Tech Support staff. By filling out and submitting a Tech Question Form online, a customer can typically expect a response via email the same day or at least within 24 hours. There is also a “Frequently Asked Questions” section where answers to many standard questions can be conveniently reviewed. And as always, VP’s regional distribution centers and technical staff are available to personally consult with customers by phone. A map on the new site directs visitors to the most appropriate VP regional distribution center based on the visitor’s location.

VP’s non-fuel products also remain available online, including its performance chemicals, specialty lubricants and fuel handling accessories.

“Customers also will be able to place online orders for our popular 5-gallon Motorsport Containers or cool VP apparel, like our ‘Mad Scientist’ T-shirts or VP hats, as well as VP banners, pennants, decals and much more,” Scheidker said.

“As in the past, we’ll post breaking news on the site regarding new products, race results and industry news,” he added. “Over time we anticipate adding application- or fuel-specific Tech Tips, Test Results, Testimonials, etc. with printed reports, photos and/or videos to clearly illustrate the performance of VP’s fuels relative to different applications or to our competitors. Customers also will find a list of race series in which VP is involved as a sponsor or posts contingency awards.

“We encourage our customers to visit our new site, check out the new features and let us know what they think,” concluded Scheidker. “The new design is a quantum leap forward, but we’ll always be open to improvements.”

October 5, 2009

National Guard ADRL Brings Unique ‘Battle’ to Texas Motorplex

O’FALLON, MO (Oct. 5, 2009) — In 2005, the inaugural year for the National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL), series president and CEO Kenny Nowling knew he would have a tough time convincing racers based mostly in the Southeast and with no mathematical chance at a championship to make the long tow west to Kennedale, Texas, for the fledgling outfit’s season ender. So, he came up with the Speedtech Battle for the Belts, a unique playoff concept set this year for Oct. 23, opening day for the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, just south of Dallas.

“Initially, it was created to ensure that everyone in the top eight, all the top players, came to that last race in Dallas at the end of the year. But I needed something to convince the rest to come, too, so we made the following season’s points actually start on the same weekend so that everybody would want to be there to get a head start on the next season’s points chase,” Nowling (left) explained.

Essentially the same format is in place this year as the top eight points earners for each of the National Guard ADRL’s five professional classes in 2009 —Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Flowmaster Extreme 10.5, Pro Extreme Motorcycle and Extreme Pro Stock—will determine world champions on Friday, while all points earned through qualifying and elimination rounds on Saturday will count toward the 2010 points chase.

New for this year, however, is a first-round bye granted to each points leader, which also means the seventh- and eighth-place Belts qualifiers in each class will race against each other first, with the winner taking on the number-two contender in the quarter-finals round. Meanwhile, number three will take on number six and four will race five, just as in a traditional eight-car eliminations ladder.

So, to win a 2009 National Guard ADRL World Championship, a points leader would have to win only two rounds of head-to-head racing, the numbers two through six qualifiers would need to win three times, while number-seven and number-eight starters will face four rounds of potential elimination.

Additionally, each 2009 season points leader will receive a monetary reward and plaque recognizing their pre-Battle supremacy, with the Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous leaders each earning $5,000; the Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 and Extreme Pro Stock leaders each receiving $2,500; and the Pro Extreme Motorcycle leader getting a $1,000 bonus.

The purses have increased, too, with 2009 Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous world champions to receive $50,000 each, $25,000 going to each of the Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 and Extreme Pro Stock champions, and $10,000 payable to the Pro Extreme Motorcycle season winner. All told, the Speedtech Battle for the Belts purse exceeds $313,000 this time around.

 

Always a fan first, National Guard ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling (right) can often be found in the middle of the action, this time watching Pro Extreme Battle for the Belts contender Joshua Hernandez launch his ’57 Chevy at Heartland Park Topeka.

Nowling pointed out fans in Texas will see at least three new National Guard ADRL world champions crowned this year since Extreme Pro Stock is in its first season as an official class, 2008 Pro Nitrous champ Billy Harper sat out the ’09 campaign and two-time defending Pro Extreme Motorcycle World Champion Billy Vose failed to make the cut to defend his title. He also said he’s particularly excited about this round of the Speedtech Battle for the Belts because there are so many new names among the contenders and he’s anxious to see who steps up to deliver a knock-out performance.

“I’ve quoted my high-school football coach, Steve Stahl, many times on this: ‘A true champion is defined when everything is on the line.’ Every possible thing that you worked for is right in front of you and within your grasp and it’s when the Michael Jordans and Wayne Gretzkys of this world excel; they want the ball in their hands, the puck on their stick,” he said.That’s why the Speedtech Battle for the Belts brings out the best in National Guard ADRL competitors, Nowling contends.

“Most of these guys would do almost anything to get into the Battle and now that we have the fields set, we’re about to see what they can do,” he said. “According to the math, we would have already decided four of our five champions heading into the World Finals, so how exciting would Friday night be? I mean, it would be good, our normal Friday-night show, but what a race those fans at Ennis are going to see now as a result of this format. Personally, I can’t wait.”

(ADRL/Richards/Tocher file photos)

October 3, 2009

National Guard ADRL TV Producer Receives Emmy Nomination

TINLEY PARK, IL (Oct. 2, 2009)—Steve Grein, president and owner of NeWave Video Productions, Inc., which produces the National Guard ADRL event coverage aired on the Versus television network, started his Friday morning with a cup of coffee and an Emmy nomination.

The Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences hosted a Nomination Party on Thursday night (Oct. 1), to announce the local Emmy award nominations. Grein (near right with ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling) and NeWave Video Productions were on the list of talented production professionals, nominated for Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs, Sports Program Series Covering Sports Based on a Sports Theme for their show, “Beer Money.”

“It sounds cliché, but it truly is an honor just to be nominated,” Grein said. “It means your hard work is being recognized by the leaders in our industry, and that is priceless.”

“Beer Money” aired on Comcast SportsNet and is hosted by Sarah Kustok and Ted Brunson, who also serves as host for the National Guard ADRL broadcasts. The talented NeWave production crew consisted of Grein (Executive Producer), Brian Aprati (Production Manager), Jen Ashley (Producer), Joe Digiacomo (Field Producer and Statistician), Michael Smith, Sam Gahm, Mike Schmitz (Editors), Greg Harshbarger, Mark Urban (Camera Operators) and various freelancer production personnel. This fun game of chance allows participants to answer Chicago sports trivia for a cash prize. For a sample of the show visit NeWave online at http://www.newaveproductions.com/samples.htm.

Winners for the 2009 Emmy Awards will be announced Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Park West in Chicago, with the event hosted by former Saturday Night Live cast member and Chicago native Tim Kazurinsky.

NeWave Video Productions is a full-service, high-definition production facility with extensive experience in both television and video production. They take pride in providing the highest quality production services available in the industry, with shows airing on ESPN, SPEED, Versus, HBO PPV, Comcast SportsNet, Fox Sports, and MavTV.

For more information on NeWave Video Productions, please log on to www.newavetv.com.

(ADRL/Richards file photo)