ADRL.us sponsored by Flowmaster

March 29, 2010

US 131 Preps for Ford Summer Drags VI

MARTIN, MI (Mar. 29, 2010)—In order to maintain its reputation as the “The Fastest Track in Michigan,” US 131 Motorsports Park continues upgrades.   

Last fall at the end of Michigan’s racing season the track’s concrete surface was extended from 500 feet to 1,000 feet to allow the concrete to slowly cure during the winter months. Thankfully, the weather cooperated and Michigan saw warmer than normal March temperatures, allowing the world-renowned Penhall Corporation to grind and polish the newly poured concrete racing surface. 

Much of this work was completed this past Saturday and Sunday, just in time for US 131’s Apr. 3, opening day. 

“In the past, our weekly private track rentals have included pro racing teams from ADRL and the newly formed Mountain Motor Pro Stock Association cars,” US 131’s General Manager Jason Peterson said. “With continued support from these teams in addition to the championship drag racing and weekly events that we offer we deemed it necessary to ensure that US 131 Motorsports Park retains the reputation of being one of the smoothest tracks in the industry and these improvements will ensure that.”

The ADRL visits US 131 Motorsports Park June 11-12, for the ADRL Ford Drive One Summer Drags VI.

(Photos courtesy US 131 Motorsports Park)

March 29, 2010

Bankston Boyz Meet Mixed Results at Houston

UTICA, MS (Mar. 29, 2010) – The Bankston Boyz Racing team rolled into Houston Raceway Park for the ADRL season opener just over a week ago with new marketing partners onboard for the 2010 race season as a result of aggressive approaches at the Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) tradeshow in Orlando back in December last year.

Adding to the team’s support from Mississippi Foundation Repair Specialists, TeaCo Geophysical, Speedtech, Reher-Morrison, Goodyear Racing, Jerry Haas Race Cars, Tim McAmis Race Cars, and David Janes Race Cars are new marketing partners Ross Pistons, Jesel Valvetrain Components, Red Line Oil, and Vicci Fashions.

The ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen gave Bankston Boyz  Pro Nitrous drivers Stan Allen and John DeFlorian all they could handle as they arrived at the Baytown, Texas, strip with little testing in their respective rides.

 

Allen (above) had just come off a week of testing in Bradenton, Florida, where his best elapsed time (ET) in the David Janes-built, former “Black Ice” Camaro was in the 3.90 range and low 190s in mph. Meanwhile, DeFlorian came into the  race with his ’06 Corvette untested after offseason changes dropped about 70 pounds from the car.

After three rounds of qualifying on Friday, DeFlorian had his car solidly in the top half of the field with a seventh-place 3.99 at 184.19 mph and Allen limped into the 16th and final position with a 5.21 at just 97 mph.

Saturday morning’s lone qualifying session saw Allen out in the first Pro Nitrous pair and he promptly lowered his time to a still-off-the-pace, but more respectable 4.32 at 177.88-mph pass. It was still only good enough for 16th, however, earning Allen a race date with top qualifier Burton Auxier.

Unfortunately, heavy rain arrived at Houston Raceway Park shortly before noon on Saturday, before eliminations could begin, forcing the postponement of the ADRL’s UTI Dragpalooza VI to July 23-24, when it will be completed in its entirety along with an entirely new event added by ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling.

Normally the arrival of wet weather is the worst thing that can happen at a race, but considering his on-track struggles in qualifying, Allen said this time it was a lucky break.

“The rain saved our team,” he declared. “I mean, we are struggling to learn this new car and the clutch.  Coming into the fourth round of qualifying I was on the bump with three cars in line that could bump me out of the field. Then, after the fourth round I was still on the bump by lowering my own ET to a 4.32.  So I got lucky! It’s time to go test and get ready for Valdosta (Georgia, in April).”

DeFlorian (above), on the other hand, shook the tires in his fourth and final qualifying attempt and a couple of other drivers moved up the list, leaving him ninth for raceday, when he will face off against number-eight starter Rickie Smith.

“After the second round of qualifying and having the car go left each time we looked at the video and compared it to our data from the runs and I knew exactly what change needed to be made on the four-link to straighten her out,” DeFlorian explained.

“With qualifier three on Friday night, the car went straight down the groove and I pedaled it to a 3.99 run and boy, did she leave the line—a .980 sixty-foot and if I had not got out and back into it I am sure we would have run a low 3.90! So, I guess you can tell why we are ecstatic coming into 2010.”

(ADRL/Graves/Singleton file photos)

March 26, 2010

Moyer Earns Entry to M/T 3-Second Club

STOW, OH (Mar. 26, 2010) – With his third qualifying pass at the American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL’s) 2010 season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park, “Turbo Todd” Moyer of Pasadena, Texas, made a scorching 3.96-seconds run at 196.50 miles per hour that earned him a spot in the exclusive Mickey Thompson Three-Second Club for Extreme 10.5 competitors.

The Mickey Thompson Three-Second Club was introduced in February 2009 as an exclusive program to reward and recognize the first five ADRL Extreme 10.5 racers who manage to achieve elapsed times in the three-second range. Chuck Ulsch became the first member at St. Louis last year, followed one race later by 2009 series champion Spiro Pappas at Columbus, Ohio.

Moyer got the job done in Houston on Mickey Thompson Pro-5 wheels, #3169W rear tires, and #3001 front tires. The pass qualified him second behind Pappas. 

“That was a brand-new set of Mickey Thompson tires we strapped on for that third qualifying session and they hooked up perfectly,” Moyer’s crew chief, Chad Rogers (far right), said. “As soon as it left and I could see it was going straight as an arrow I knew we were going to see that ‘3’ pop up.”  

Mickey Thompson Three-Second Club members earn a number of very special prizes including a custom M/T Three-Second Club leather jacket, a signature M/T Three-Second Club gold and diamond ring, and a bonus check for $3,000. In addition, M/T Three-Second Club racers are featured in a special section of the official ADRL web site at http://www.adrl.us.

“The Three-Second Club racers have consistently achieved elapsed times in the three-second range on our tire and wheel products, and it means a lot to us to share in their success,” said Carl Robinson, Motorsports Manager, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “We only have two seats left in the club, and we are eager to see who will be the next to earn their place among this prestigious group of competitors.”

Rain postponed completion of the Houston event to July 23, but the ADRL returns to action Apr. 23-24, with the ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at South Georgia Motorsports Park, near Valdosta.

“We’re really looking forward to getting to Georgia,” Rogers said. “That’s a great track surface there and I think we’ll see record numbers. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Three-Second Club got filled up there.”

(ADRL/Singleton photos)

March 26, 2010

TPI Takes On ADRL Merchandising

NEW BERN, NC (Mar. 26, 2010) – Much has changed in and around the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) since its first event in 2004, but the behind-the-scenes presence of Tysinger Promotions has been a constant, enduring force.

At this past weekend’s rain-postponed Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park, TPI marked its sixth year of providing complete promotional and event services for the ADRL and debuted a comprehensive merchandising program that features TPI’s complete control over all facets of the department.

“This is an important aspect of the American Drag Racing League’s business. They realize that and wanted to put it in competent hands for the 2010 season and beyond,” TPI President Wendy Stallings (right) says. “We feel they’ve made an excellent choice by allowing us to administer the merchandise program and we couldn’t be more excited after getting off to a great start in Houston.”

The ADRL merchandising program contributes an exciting new opportunity for everyone at TPI.

“This is a completely new venture for us, and it allows us to use our creative abilities within the ADRL in ways we haven’t the opportunity to in the past,” TPI Vice President Whitney Dowdy says. “We’ve worked closely with Kenny (Nowling, ADRL President) and his staff to create new apparel and other merchandise that we feel will be a big hit with the ADRL racers, sponsors, and most importantly, fans.”

The new ADRL line brings a trendy, vintage flair to the selection of men’s apparel while debuting fresh colors and a hand-painted, tattoo-inspired look for the ladies’ shirts.

TPI has done it all for the ADRL over the past five years, from things as simple as hanging sponsor banners around the facility to as involved as organizing and administering the ADRL contingency program.

“As the ADRL has grown, so has our involvement with them,” Stallings says. “What started out as simply doing media buys for an upstart company putting on its first race has evolved into complete event services for the fastest-growing motorsports organization in America. The most amazing part is that it feels like we’re just getting started.”

TPI has a significant hands-on role in determining the overall look and success of each ADRL national event.

“From the moment we arrive at the race on Thursday to the time we leave on Sunday, it’s a constant whirlwind of activity,” Dowdy explains. “We’ll organize the pre-race ceremony, take care of the sponsors and their respective suites, make sure all the trophies are in order, oversee the special awards, and finally, coordinate the winner’s circle festivities. It’s a handful, but we wouldn’t have it any other way and we ensure that it’s all done first class.”

In order to accomplish that, TPI has expanded to include two more event services coordinators, Angella Janssen and Paige Mitchell. This is Janssen’s second year of handling the ins-and-outs of the event services portion of TPI’s duties, with Mitchell coming on board for her first season.

“Every race is different, and there is always something new and unexpected that we need to handle,” Executive Event Coordinator Katie Stewart adds. “But we take it in stride and, as Whitney said, make sure it’s done to the best of our abilities each and every time.”

(ADRL/Richards file photos)

March 25, 2010

ADRL Race Team on Display at Atlanta Diabetes Expo

O’FALLON, MO (Mar. 25, 2010) — American Drag Racing League (ADRL) star Bennie McDonald Jr. will attend this Saturday’s (Mar. 27) American Diabetes Association (ADA) EXPO Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center to greet show goers and sign autographs. The McDonald Family Racing 2,500-horsepower ADRL Pro Extreme ’53 Corvette will also be on static display beside him in the EXPO Atlanta Youth Zone.

McDonald, from nearby Locust Grove, Georgia, said he’s looking forward to the opportunity of sharing his personal experiences with Type 2 diabetes with EXPO Atlanta attendees.

“Diabetes is a terrible disease, there’s no question about that, but I want people to know that managing your diabetes means you can still live a full life and do whatever you like,” he said. “These cars can be a real handful to drive and they demand a lot of work just to keep running, but by taking control of my diabetes and not letting it control me I can stay on top of everything.”

McDonald will next be in action at the ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags Apr. 23-24, at South Georgia Motorsports Park, near Valdosta. Joining him in making celebrity appearances at EXPO Atlanta will be Tony Award winner Ben Vereen and former NBA star Dominique Wilkins. 

Admittance to EXPO Atlanta is free. With more than 50 exhibitors on site and activities planned for people of all ages, EXPO Atlanta provides the community with a unique opportunity to get a free health screening, participate in cooking and exercise demonstrations, talk to diabetes-related exhibitors and listen to leading experts about diabetes prevention and management.

EXPO Atlanta is open Mar. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center, Building B, Lower Level.

(ADRL/Graves/Richards photos)

March 23, 2010

Strong Start for Montecalvo at Houston

BAYTOWN, TX (Mar. 23, 2010)— The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) opened its 2010 season this past weekend with the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

Unfortunately, the event had to be postponed to July 23, due to rain, but with Extreme Pro Stock qualifying completed, John Montecalvo was very pleased with his team’s performance after placing third with a stout 4.074-seconds pass at 178.50 mph.  

“I was thrilled with our results this weekend,” Montecalvo declared. “We were third in ET (elapsed time) and second in speed. The two cars ahead of us in qualifying have had a lot more time to perfect their combination. We’re still working on our eighth-mile set up. I know that we’ve got some left, so sitting third looks pretty good for us right now.”

Even short one crew member, Tommy Sevier, who is recuperating from a snowmobile accident, the team showed a strong presence at Dragpalooza VI, proving once again they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

“My wife, Lois Anne, and the guys worked hard to fill in without Tommy being able to make it. We hope to have him back soon. Sonny (Leonard) has done a phenomenal job with our engine, as always, and helped us out with more power this season. It’s amazing how he keeps improving the performance of his engines. Pat with Ram Clutches and Doug with Braswell Carburetors are key to this team and I want to thank them for their support.”

The ADRL, always the innovator, made an unusual, but well-received decision concerning the postponing of this past weekend’s event and created an all-new event to be held on the same weekend as the rescheduled date. The ADRL will return to Houston Raceway Park July 23-24 to complete Dragpalooza VI and to run a second complete event.

“I think the ADRL made the correct move in postponing the event,” Montecalvo said. “And they were very gracious to formulate another event to correlate with the rain date. This is a great way to offset our costs as racers. You can tell that the ADRL really has their racers in mind when they make decisions. We captured our first ADRL win during a two-race weekend, so I’m really looking forward to the Houston double-header.”

The next stop on the ADRL tour is a short month away, Apr. 23-24, for the Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at South Georgia Motorsports Park, near Valdosta, Georgia. Montecalvo and crew are anxious for the return to action.

“We can’t wait to get to Valdosta. We’re ready for the competition!”

(ADRL/McHugh/Singleton photos)

March 23, 2010

Team Aruba Qualifies Top-5 at Houston

SAINT LOUIS, MO (Mar. 23, 2010) — After a second day of qualifying at Houston Raceway Park, driver Trevor Eman and the Team Aruba crew achieved a career-best fifth in Extreme Pro Stock (XPS) qualifying with an elapsed time of 4.09 seconds at 177.30 mph in their fourth and final qualifying attempt for the 2010 American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI, presented by Safety-Kleen.

“We were making better and faster runs every time we made it to the starting line,” Eman said of the team’s performance. “Carl Baker, our crew chief, was making good calls and Tommy had the clutch completely under control. Ken had his hands on all the other ‘in-between round’ maintenance and Bobby was taking good care of everybody that came by our www.Aruba.com free information booth and the Autism Speaks donation box.”

After Friday’s events, Team Aruba hosted a cookout in its pit space to celebrate Aruba’s National Anthem and Flag Day, featuring a variety of tasty foods in Texas-sized portions.

“It isn’t often that the XPS teams get to spend time together at races, because races are usually so hectic,” Eman said. “We were happy that a lot of ADRL officials and teams were able to take some time off and stop by.”

Fans excitedly awaited the qualifying rounds of the 2010 ADRL Dragpalooza VI, only to miss out on the final elimination rounds as a discouraging storm front moved across Baytown, Texas. With impending rain and strong winds quickly approaching, the ADRL quickly reached the decision to reschedule the remaining qualifying and eliminations rounds for Dragpalooza VI to July 23-24, within a new, yet-to-be-named event at Houston Raceway Park.

(ADRL/Richards/Singleton photos)

March 20, 2010

ADRL Reschedules Houston Event; Adds Another

BAYTOWN, TX (Mar. 20, 2010) – In another example of unorthodox problem solving, American Drag Racing League (ADRL) President and CEO Kenny Nowling announced the creation of a brand-new, double-header event in response to the rainout today of the ADRL’s season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.

The ADRL will return July 23-24, to Houston Raceway Park (HRP), where Dragpalooza VI will be completed in its entirety that Friday, with an all-new, yet-to-be-named ADRL national event now scheduled for the same weekend.

“We feel this is the fairest way to deal with this for our fans, our sponsors, our track partner and most importantly, our race teams. We wanted to create an incentive for all our teams to return and participate, rather than just those that were already qualified,” Nowling explained. “(HRP Vice President and General Manager) Seth Angel and I are close friends and business partners so we looked at our schedules and were able to reach this decision very quickly.”

Four of the ADRL’s five professional classes had completed their fourth and final rounds of qualifying for Dragpalooza VI and Pro Extreme had just taken the track when the heavy rain arrived. With wet weather, high winds and dropping temperatures predicted for the rest of the day and into Sunday, ADRL and track officials decided to postpone the event and let competitors and fans head for home.

Surrounded by ADRL drivers and team owners as they huddled beneath the Houston Raceway Park tower to remain dry, ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling laid out plans to reschedule the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen to July 23-24, within a completely new event that same weekend at the Baytown, Texas, drag strip.

The July weekend will open with the completion of the final round of Pro Extreme qualifying for Dragpalooza VI, followed by Dragpalooza VI eliminations for all classes run simultaneously within qualifying for the new event.

“This format will be very similar to our Speedtech Battle for the Belts, which determines our year-end champions on the first day of our LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals at the Texas Motorplex each October. And just like that event, I think this is going to create a very unique and exciting race weekend for everyone in July,” Nowling said.

Nowling is no stranger to outside-the-box thinking when it comes to getting an event completed. After an electrical storm at Martin, Michigan, knocked out the track’s scoreboards and timing system in 2008, he resorted to personally signaling each pair of 3,000-horsepower cars with old-fashioned, arm-drop starts.

“Everyone thought we were crazy back then, but that turned out to be one of our most memorable events,” he recalled. “I have every reason to believe that this solution will turn out to be every bit as popular as the Arm-Drop Drags were.”

The addition of the July event restores a 10-race series for the ADRL in 2010 after it initially lost one event due to the unexpected closure of Memphis Motorsports Park. Both the rescheduled Dragpalooza VI and the new event will pay full points and purses to all qualifiers and race winners, making it a true double-header weekend of competition for racers and fans alike.

All tickets for the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen will be honored in July, but tickets will also be printed and distributed for the new event. Fans with any questions about the rescheduled or new event are encouraged to call the track at (281) 383-7223.

March 20, 2010

‘Happy Race Car’ Helps Hernandez in Houston

BAYTOWN, TX (Mar. 19, 2010) – Local favorite Joshua Hernandez of nearby Conroe, Texas, leads the Pro Extreme field at Houston Raceway Park (HRP) after three of four scheduled qualifying sessions for the American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL’s) season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen are in the books.

Also on top of their respective classes are Burton Auxier in Pro Nitrous, reigning Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 World Champion Spiro Pappas, Ashley Owens in Pro Extreme Motorcycle and Extreme Pro Stock racer Cary Goforth.

Hernandez (above) steered his supercharged ’57 Chevy to a 3.68-seconds pass at 208.17 miles per hour in his second attempt on the HRP eighth mile. He can secure the official ADRL speed record for the class by running within one percent of his pole-sitting pass this weekend.

“We had tested here with good results a couple of weeks back and just came out trying to make sure the car would repeat. As soon as it did in the first round, (crew chief) Jim Oddy started turning every screw he could to make it go faster,” Hernandez explained. “Plus the car is going so straight that my eight-year-old kid could drive it. It’s a happy race car right now.”

Auxier (above) rolled out of the trailer and ran 3.83 at a record-setting 197.91 mph in the opening round with his ’68 Camaro, then improved his time by four thousandths and went 196.59 mph to officially back up the new Pro Nitrous speed mark with his third qualifying pass.

“The track is good, but it’s tricky, you have to be real careful where you apply the power,” the Dixie, West Virginia-based driver said. “The car actually got a little crazy at the end of that last run and I had to shut it off a little early. If I hadn’t done that it probably would’ve set a new ET (elapsed time) record, too.”

Chicago-based Pappas (above), who also tested at the Houston track two weeks ago, immediately sent a message to the rest of the Extreme 10.5 field with a 3.92 pass at 195.22 mph in the opening session that was only four thousandths off his own ET record, set last fall at Ennis, Texas.

Another local racer, though, “Turbo Todd” Moyer of Pasadena, Texas, made the biggest news of the day with a 3.96-seconds effort at 196.50 mph that not only placed him second overall, but earned him entry into the exclusive, five-member Mickey Thompson 3-Second Club for Extreme 10.5 competitors, joining Pappas and Chuck Ulsch as the only entrants, so far.

After crediting Mickey Thompson “for making a great tire,” Moyer turned all attention to his teammates, led by crew chief Chad Rogers. “Without these guys I couldn’t do anything,” he said. “They deserve all the credit for this.”

In the ADRL’s two-wheeled class, Owens (right) officially lowered the elapsed time record, with a third-round 4.15 pass backing up the 4.14 at 172.12 mph he ran in the opening session. Owen, from Decatur, Alabama, is riding a brand-new 2010 Suzuki for veteran motorcycle racer Paul Gast.

“I’m just glad to get back to racing and get off to a good start with a new team,” Owens said. “Usually it takes at least two or three races to really start working together as a team, so it feels great to get a start on the season like this.”

Also significant in the Pro Extreme Motorcycle class, which in three years has never had a female rider qualify for a 16-bike field, two women are poised to make reach Dragpalooza VI eliminations. Kimberly Morrell of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, currently sits third and rookie rider Anne Hansen of McDonough, Georgia, is 13th with one more round to go.

In the first pair down the track as the third and final qualifying session of the day got under way, Holdenville, Oklahoma’s Goforth (below) made both the quickest and fastest pass in Extreme Pro Stock (XPS) history, covering the 660-feet distance in 4.04 seconds at a record 179.04 mph, backed up by the 178.02 he ran in the previous round. Goforth needs to run 4.08 or better this weekend to officially back up his elapsed time for another new record.

“When I saw that 4.04 come up I was a bit shocked because we didn’t really expect that,” he admitted, “but the speed is not as surprising because we knew we had the horsepower to run some good numbers. Sonny (Leonard, engine builder) has been working incredibly hard over the winter with us and this is it paying off.”

Last-chance qualifying for the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, with elimination rounds to follow. The next race on the ADRL’s 2010 tour is the Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI set for Apr. 23-24, at Valdosta, Georgia.

(ADRL/Richards/Tocher photos)

March 20, 2010

Lifetime Contract for ADRL Pro Jr. Dragster Driver

BAYTOWN, TX (Mar. 19, 2010) – In an unprecedented move for drag racing, 10-year-old American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Pro Jr. Dragster star K.J. Nowling has signed a lifetime performance contract with Al-Anabi Racing.

“I had the pleasure of hosting K.J. at two of our recent Arabian Drag Racing League events in Qatar and found him to be an incredibly bright young man who clearly understands the mechanics of racing,” Al-Anabi team owner Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani said.

“Being a two-time ADRL national-event winner, he’s obviously a talented driver, so I thought I’d better get him under contract now before someone beat me to it.”

In the debut of a new Mike Bos-built Pro Jr. Dragster car, Nowling is racing under the Al-Anabi banner for the first time this weekend in the ADRL’s season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park. 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.

“This is hard to believe and I can’t thank Sheikh Khalid enough for this opportunity,” said Nowling, a fifth grader from Dardenne Prairie, Missouri. “I had so much fun watching him win the Pro Extreme championship in Qatar, but even more fun playing soccer with him on PlayStation 3 at his house. We’ve become good friends and I feel very proud to become his Al-Anabi teammate.”

American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Pro Jr. Dragster driver K.J. Nowling has signed a lifetime performance contract with Al-Anabi Racing team owner Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and debuted a new Al-Anabi-backed car at the ADRL’s 2010 season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

(ADRL/Tocher/Kepner photos)

March 19, 2010

NeWave Renews ADRL TV Contract

TINLEY PARK, IL (Mar. 19, 2010) NeWave Video Productions is thrilled to announce that the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) has chosen NeWave Video Productions for a one-year deal to produce tremendous television shows, happenin’ home videos, and incredible Internet rebroadcasts!

The 2010 plan calls for 10 NeWave-produced, one-hour shows to be broadcast through broadcast partners to be announced soon.

ADRL will again have every show, additional racing footage and extra features on its official Web site (www.ADRL.us).

In addition to the ADRL race result shows, NeWave and ADRL will be producing a reality show about each event where fans can see what really happens in the pits and the overall event. The broadcast partner for that show will be announced shortly as well.

This is an exciting year for ADRL and NeWave Video Productions is proud to be a part of it!

March 18, 2010

Carpenter Counting On Strong Effort in Houston

BAYTOWN, TX (Mar. 18, 2010)— After clawing his way back into contention at the end of 2009, Pro Nitrous pioneer Charles Carpenter is aiming to remain near the top of the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) points standings in 2010.

That mission begins this weekend at Houston Raceway Park with the ADRL’s season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen, where Carpenter will combine his vast experience with an upgraded combination under the hood of his iconic ’55 Chevy to take on the incredibly tough Pro Nitrous division.

After a brief session of preseason testing, Carpenter is ready to get back to racing action.

“I’ve never been one for testing,” admitted the 37-year drag racing veteran. “I’m all about the pressure of the race environment. I’m not even that excited about qualifying usually. But when it comes time for eliminations, my whole mindset changes and I can’t think of anything but winning the next round and winning the race. Winning is everything for me.”

Carpenter hopes more winning is in the cards for 2010. After emerging victorious from his first two ADRL Pro Nitrous final-round appearances, Carpenter has come up short in his last three finals, with the most recent runner-up finish coming at the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V in Dallas last October.

A win would be nice, but just about anything would be better than Carpenter’s experience at this very race one year ago.

Immediately folowing a first-round victory, Carpenter lost control of his car near the eighth-mile finish line, crashing hard into the retaining wall and going airborne before slamming back to the ground just inside the track’s boundaries.

He suffered a fractured vertebrae and a nearly destroyed race car, but through sheer determination and help from his supporters, Carpenter made a strong comeback at the end of 2009 that has him poised for a championship run in 2010.

“I’m going to go at it with the same philosophy I always have: be consistently quick and get from A to B each run,” he said.

“Hopefully we can go some rounds and come out of Houston with the points lead. We’ve led the points at various stages over the past few seasons, but this year we need to be up there when it matters, and that’s going into the Battle for the Belts at the end of the year. We’re not settling for anything less than a spot in the top eight.”

With a new 843-cubic-inch powerplant and a finely tuned race car, Carpenter is in better position to compete with the quickest cars in the class than ever before.

“We’ve been underpowered throughout the last couple seasons, but this new engine should solve that issue,” Carpenter predicted. “We’ve also got a good handle on what this revamped chassis wants and it’s responding to our tuning adjustments. That’s all you can really ask for.

“Now it’s up to me to drive the wheels off it and capitalize on the opportunities that present themselves.”

(ADRL/Richards file photos)

March 18, 2010

Wootton Receives Clean Boost to Start 2010 ADRL Season

BAYTOWN, TX (Mar. 18, 2010)— When Magnolia, Texas, ADRL Pro Extreme driver Don Wootton debuted his wild, injected-nitromethane-powered 1969 Chevrolet Camaro last year, competitors, race officials and fans knew it was only a matter of time before the uniquely entertaining show-stopper became a threat to capture a race win.

This weekend at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, Wootton and crew chief Joe Monden will resume their quest assisted by the teams newest marketing partner, Clean Boost Performance Motor Oils, when the ADRL kicks off its 2010 campaign with the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI event presented by Safety-Kleen.

“We are honored and excited to support Don Wootton’s ADRL Pro Extreme nitro-burning Camaro for the 2010 ADRL season,” said Tim Charlet, Director of Sales and Marketing for Clean Boost’s parent company, Combustion Technologies USA. 

“Teaming up with arguably the most entertaining car in drag racing and a very marketable personality such as Don Wootton was an easy decision for us. We look forward to establishing a great partnership with Mr. Wootton’s team in the ADRL for several years.”

March 18, 2010

ADRL Competitors Ready to Resume Racing at Houston

O’FALLON, MO (Mar. 18, 2010) – With just one day remaining before the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) opens its 2010 season with qualifying on Friday for the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen, ADRL competitors are gearing up with varied approaches to the start of a new campaign Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park (HRP).

The ADRL’s season opener actually represents the second points-paying event toward its 2010 championships due to the series’ unique system that applies points earned in the final race of each calendar year toward qualifying for the next season’s championship playoff among the top eight finishers in each of five professional classes.

A year ago at Houston, the ADRL officially added Extreme Pro Stock to its national-event mix and Ohio’s Brian Gahm (right) led nearly the entire season in points based on the strength of a league-leading four victories. His domination ended, however, with a narrow loss in the championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts final last fall at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas, where he also faltered in the opening round of eliminations on race day.

Not surprisingly, Gahm feels like he has unfinished business to attend to with his ’07 Mustang this season.

“Our season sure didn’t start off too good in Dallas when we had a miss in the motor, but we did some testing last week and everything is good now. Hopefully, Houston will be a lot better to us and we can rebuild from there,” he says.

Newly crowned Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM) World Champion Scott Gray (left) is at the opposite end of the scale after backing up his Belts win with the Dallas event title. He arrives at HRP with the 2010 PXM points lead in hand.

“Right now we’re super excited; everything is going really well, we had a great test session and I’m feeling very confident in my team,” the Florida-based Suzuki rider declares. “We’ll just try to continue where we left off in Dallas and as long as I can stay consistent in my riding everything should be okay. We’ll just try to ride this out as long as we can and hopefully we’ll get another shot at the championship in October.”

After testing on the Houston eighth mile two weeks ago, 2009 Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 (XTF) World Champion Spiro Pappas (below left) also says he is “ready, ready, ready,” to begin the defense of his series title that began with a runner-up finish in Dallas to Chuck Ulsch—the same man he beat the night before in the XTF Battle for the Belts final to win the championship.

Still, Pappas insists he feels no added pressure; in fact, no pressure at all despite now carrying the bullseye of the number “1” on the windshield of his 2009 Pontiac GXP.

“I love a challenge,” he says. “I love to compete, and knowing I’m the champion from last year and knowing everyone is going to want to take me down is very motivating to me. Drag racing is a mind game and you need someone to race against who wants to win just as much as you do.

“I’m in the construction business, so my head is tied up in construction every day, but when I hear in the background that the (Billy) Gliddens or the Ulschs or the (Jeff) Naisers are gunning for me it just makes me want to get to the track that much more. It’s very motivating to me and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel again.”

Thomas “Tom Slick” Myers of Granbury, Texas, also is anxious to get behind the wheel, but for a very different reason. After missing the Pro Nitrous Battle for the Belts cut with a 10th-place finish in his ’63 Corvette last year, Myers is showing up this weekend with a brand-new, never-before-tested 1970 Plymouth Duster (right). It’s the first car ever built specifically for Myers.

“It’s kind of hard to describe how I’m feeling right now. It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to get out there and try it out, but at the same time with no opportunity to test I kind of feel like we’re behind the eight ball,” he admits. 

“Realistically, we think there’s no reason we can’t run mid-3.80s with this car (the class record is 3.81 seconds by new Pro Nitrous World Champion Khalid Al-Balooshi at Dallas last year); maybe not right off the bat, but (car builder) Andy (McCoy) feels confident he’s got the chassis set up as close as possible for it without being on the track.

“So yeah, we’re all really looking forward to seeing what we can do,” Myers says. “But to be honest, the main thing I want out of this weekend is for people to see and appreciate this work of art that Andy McCoy built. It truly is an amazing car.”

Yet another ADRL racer arriving at HRP with at least some trepidation is current Pro Extreme (PX) points leader Alex Hossler (below right), based on winning the event in Dallas last fall. Hossler says his team found a broken rear differential under his ’70 Camaro upon its return to Illinois early in March from the Middle East, where he managed a pair of PX wins in the ADRL-affiliated Arabian Drag Racing League in Doha, Qatar.

“We’ve had a new rearend on order since December, but it’s still not here so we had to borrow one from (PX rival) Cody Barklage to make it to Houston,” he explains. “We really appreciate Cody helping us out, but he uses a different gear ratio than we’re used to, so that will be a challenge. But hopefully, we’ll get it figured out in time to qualify and go a few rounds.”

One of those rounds may well include 2009 PX champ Todd Tutterow (home page), who also was racing in the Arabian series, though as crew chief on the same supercharged ’06 Mustang in which he won the American Drag Racing League title. This year, however, Tutterow will race a brand-new ’68 Camaro-bodied machine as part of the ever-growing, powerhouse Al-Anabi Racing Team.

“There’s a little more pressure,” Tutterow allows, “but I’m pretty used to that. The big thing for me this year is now I have a great sponsor and the key to it all will be consistency. If we can be consistent, I think we’ll have a good shot at defending the championship.”

As the defending Dragpalooza event champion, too, Tutterow says he’s looking forward to again tackling the HRP race surface after making seven consecutive passes of more than 200 miles per hour on it last spring.

“It’s a fast track,” he says. “I’ve never been to Houston when it wasn’t good.”

Houston Raceway Park’s spectator gates to the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen open at 9 a.m. this Friday and at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

ADRL/Tocher/Graves/Bunsold file photos)

March 17, 2010

Speedtech Battle for the Belts Beckons Berner

CRETE, IL (Mar. 17, 2010)— After a busy off season Pete Berner and the Summit Racing Equipment team are ready to get back to the world of colossal engines and extreme competition. The first race of 2010 for them comes this weekend in the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

Berner recently went testing in preparation for the ADRL season opener and is feeling positive about the results.

“Our early numbers look good in testing,” he said. “We finished 2009 very strong and we continued to make updates over the off season. I think we have the potential for huge progress with our engine program in 2010. We’re non-stop in the R&D department and we’re fine tuning to find the perfect eighth mile setup.”

Berner plans to run the entire nine-event ADRL tour this year and is looking forward to chasing a spot in the Extreme Pro Stock Speedtech Battle for the Belts.

“Last year we weren’t able to run the entire ADRL season, so I am really looking forward to competing in all events this year and giving 100 percent in the run for the Battle for the Belts,” Berner said.

“The ADRL is in a league all their own with their huge fan counts and unique style of racing. This coupled with great competition and friendly staff make the ADRL an awesome place to race. This is the second season that Extreme Pro Stock has had the privilege of being a part of the ADRL and we’re very excited about representing Summit at every event.”

Dragpalooza VI will be the debut race with Summit Racing Equipment on board Berner’s Pontiac GXP.

“We’re thrilled to unveil our new Summit look in the ADRL,” Berner stated. “Summit is a wonderful company and I am honored to be a part of their team and have the privilege to represent them. We are extremely eager to get this season underway and begin our chase in the Battle for the Belts!”

March 17, 2010

Hunnicutt Declares Denso Newest Team Sponsor

YOUNGSVILLE, NC (Mar. 17, 2010)—American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Pro Extreme Motorcycle rider Rob “Superman” Hunnicutt (left) is pleased to announce Denso Iridium Spark Plugs as an associate sponsor on his ‘07 Suzuki for the 2010 ADRL season.

“We have been running Denso spark plugs since 2008 and they work great,” Hunnicutt stated. “We spoke with them over the winter time and they wanted to help us out with our program in 2010, so we are very pleased they came on board and will be running their plugs all season.”

In a recent test session at South Georgia Motorsports Park with Legion of Doom teammate Ronnie Procopio, Hunnicutt laid down some low 1.06-second 60-foot times, but high winds prevented him from making any full, eighth-mile test runs.

“The new DTM Performance 1800 cc engine is making more power with our new Diamond Pistons and Total Seal rings than our other engines and we are just trying to get the bike to work in the 60 foot,” Hunnicutt said. “We have been blowing the tire off of the thing with our old tune ups, so we will have to really detune it to get this beast down the track.”

Hunnicutt will get his chance this weekend as he and Procopio plan a Thursday arrival at Houston Raceway Park for the ADRL’s 2010 season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.

“We are looking forward to racing in Houston. We also want to thank our sponsors Denso Iridium, PR Factory Store, Davis Technologies, Diamond Pistons, Worldwide Bearings, DTM Performance, FBG, Vanson Leathers and Peer Pressure Racing,” he said. “We are looking forward to seeing all of our fans in Baytown. They really show support for us there. Hopefully we can give them a win.”

(ADRL/Tocher file photos)

March 17, 2010

Stott Stoked About Returning to Racing

COLUMBUS, NC (Mar. 16, 2010)— ADRL Pro Extreme star Quain Stott (left) is excited to get back to the track with his LeeBoy Equipment-sponsored ‘63 Corvette this weekend at Houston Raceway Park, where the ADRL begins its 2010 national-event schedule with the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.

Stott concluded his 2009 ADRL campaign with a runner-up finish last fall in the ADRL World Finals at the Texas Motorplex, near Dallas, which actually served as the first points-paying event toward this year’s ADRL Speedtech Battle for the Belts, the championship-determining shootout for the top eight points earners in each pro class each year. 

“We start the season the same weekend we run the Battle for the Belts in Dallas Texas, in October, and then we have a five-month off season before we run again.” Stott explained. “During that time we try to catch up on all the things at home that we don’t get to pay attention to during the race season.”

Based on his finish at the Motorplex, Stott sits in the second-place points spot heading into this weekend’s ADRL event at Baytown, Texas. 

“I look forward to returning to the track and running some great numbers,” he said, although it will be with a somewhat unknown tune-up. “Usually in the off season we take the car out and do some testing in late February or early March, (but) unfortunately the weather has been very unpredictable in the Carolinas and we were never able to make it to the track.”

Still, the four-time ADRL event winner enters the 2010 season with a positive attitude. 

“This season makes the 14th season with LeeBoy on our car; in motorsports that is a amazing feat, keeping a sponsor happy and willing to continue a partnership,” he stated. “We’re having fun again, Racing is such a fickle roller coaster ride. We’re going to enjoy it while we can.”

In addition to LeeBoy Equipment, Quain Stott Drag Racing partners with high-performance companies that include Hoosier Racing Tires, NGK Spark Plugs, Auto Meter, Amalie Oil, Santhuff Shocks, Fulton Race Engines and Spartan Crank Shafts.

(ADRL/Tocher file photos)

March 16, 2010

Martino and Titan Motorsports Ready for 2010 XPS Season

 

STONEY CREEK, ON (Mar. 16, 2010)—Canada’s Mark Martino and his Martino Motorsports team are committing their resources toward running a full-time schedule within the American Drag Racing League’s Extreme Pro Stock (XPS) division this year, beginning with this weekend’s ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragapalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park, in Baytown, Texas.

Martino entered one ADRL event in 2009, at Columbus, Ohio, but will remain in contention for the series’ Rookie of the Year award as he goes after a spot in the Speedtech Battle for the Belts that will determine the 2010 ADRL Extreme Pro Stock championship.

In an effort to maximize his chances at being an instant contender in the XPS class, Martino has formed a strategic alliance with the veteran ADRL Extreme 10.5 team of Titan Motorsports for the 2010 season. Not only will Martino and Titan share resources in preparing their cars and at the track, they will both look to the experience of Titan crew chief Eric Luzinski to establish them as top contenders on a weekly basis.

During early season testing at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida, Martino’s team, including Luzinski, quickly realized the potential of their eighth-mile set-up, ripping off a stout 4.06-seconds, 178-mile-per-hour pass, only fractions of a second away from the current ADRL Extreme Pro Stock record.

“That test session was a great opportunity for us to put some laps on the car in ADRL trim and see what we had to work with going to Houston” Martino said. “It was also a good tune up for me having been out of the seat since October of last year and I feel that as a team we’ll be very competitive right out of the gate.”

Qualifying for the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragapalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen gets underway at 11 a.m. Friday, Mar. 19, with eliminations scheduled to begin the next day at 1 p.m.

(ADRL/Bunsold/Rouweyha file photos)

March 16, 2010

Team Aruba Hosting XPS Party Friday Night

ST. LOUIS, MO (Mar. 16, 2010)—While competing this weekend in the American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL’s) 2010 season-opening ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen, Extreme Pro Stock’s Team Aruba and driver Trevor Eman will also be observing Aruba’s National Anthem and Flag Day.

In a celebration of the ‘status aparte’ of the country of Aruba, which became a sovereign country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986, businesses and schools in the small island nation are closed, allowing Aruba’s citizens to enjoy the national holiday.

Aruba celebrates National Anthem and Flag Day this year on Mar. 18, the same day Eamon and crew will attempt to qualify their colorful 2006 Ford Escort for Dragpalooza VI before hosting a pitside cookout at Houston Raceway Park.

“We’ll be having a cookout on Friday the 19th, after the last qualifying round of Extreme Pro Stock, to celebrate Aruba’s Flag Day,” Eman said. “We’re inviting all Extreme Pro Stock teams and ADRL officials to our cookout to celebrate this joyful occasion with us.”

Team Aruba also will offer Aruba decals for fellow XPS drivers to sport in support of their country’s heritage.

Eman, currently studying mechanical engineering at the University of Central Florida, plans to make drag racing a full-time career after college graduation.

“Our ultimate goal this year,” he says, “is placing in the top eight—to be contenders at the Battle for the Belts later this year.”

With the sponsorship support of Aruba’s official tourism Web site, www.Aruba.com, and associate sponsor Digicel Aruba, Eman feels confident that 2010 will be a great year for his team.

“We’re all working hard and expecting great results.”

(ADRL/Richards file photos)

March 16, 2010

Montecalvo Pledges Full-Time XPS Run in 2010

CENTER MORICHES, NY (Mar. 16, 2010)—Outside commitments prevented ADRL Extreme Pro Stock driver John Montecalvo from participating in the ADRL’s championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts in 2009, but this year he plans to strengthen his ADRL presence with a full-season effort to pursue his goal of eighth-mile dominance.

Montecalvo begins his run toward the 2010 Speedtech Battle for the Belts this weekend, Mar. 19-20, in the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.

“We’re excited to get the ADRL season underway,” Montecalvo said. “We’re looking forward to racing in front of the ADRL’s huge number of fans in Houston. This will be our first time competing at Houston Raceway Park, although we’ve tested there before. They have a top-notch facility and do a great job with it. We’re excited to compete there.”

The winner of last year’s rain-delayed Michigan ADRL event at Topeka, Kansas, Montecalvo is looking for more visits to an ADRL Winner’s Circle Party this year.

“Sonny [Leonard, of Sonny’s Racing Engines] found more power for us this year. We tested at Valdosta and put down some good numbers. Now we go to Houston and see how everybody stacks up after the off-season updates have been made,” he said.

“We’re really looking forward to racing the ADRL this year. We had a great year with them last year, winning our first Minuteman (trophy) and we’re optimistic for the 2010 season. Our goal is nothing less than the championship.”

(ADRL/Rouweyha file photo)

March 16, 2010

Goforth Racing Adds LAT as Associate Sponsor

HOLDENVILLE, OK (Mar. 16, 2010)—Goforth Racing is pleased to announce Lubeatech Advanced Technologies (LAT) Racing Oil has come on board as a new associate sponsor on the ADRL Extreme Pro Stock entries of father-and-son drivers Dean and Cary Goforth, respectively.

“We have already noticed performance enhancement with LAT during our pre season testing and look forward to helping them with R&D during the 2010 season,” Cary Goforth said. “Goforth Racing looks forward to a long association with LAT in our quest for (XPS) domination.”

With more than 40 years of experience in high-performance racing, LAT has developed engine and gear oils designed to meet the severe demands of extreme automotive racing. Whether it is street, off-road, or Extreme Pro Stock Drag Racing, LubeATech is the next generation in high-performance racing oils. LubeATech oils are blended from the highest quality synthetic group IV and V base oils along with extreme pressure additives for those engines that reach high RPM levels along with high temperature levels.

March 15, 2010

ADRL Opens 2010 Season this Weekend in Houston

O’FALLON, MO (Mar. 15, 2010) – Houston Raceway Park hosts its first major drag race of the year this weekend (Mar. 19-20), as the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) arrives for its 2010 season-opening ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.

ADRL teams in five professional classes—Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme Pro Stock, Flowmaster Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme, the quickest and fastest eighth-mile “door cars” in the world—will converge on the Baytown, Texas, track from all across the country, bringing with them race vehicles equally at home in a car show as they are on the track. From a standing start they will cover the ADRL’s 660-foot race distance in as little as 3.6 seconds at speeds up to nearly 210 miles per hour.

Several new teams, drivers, cars and motorcycles will be making their ADRL national-event debuts at Dragpalooza VI, which actually represents the second of nine points-paying events toward the 2010 championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts due to the ADRL’s unique points system that applies the final race of each calendar year toward qualifying for the next season’s championship playoff.

So, when competitors hit the Houston Raceway Park pavement for Dragpalooza VI qualifying on Friday, Alex Hossler (Pro Extreme), Khalid Al-Balooshi (Pro Nitrous), Chuck Ulsch (Flowmaster Extreme 10.5), Scott Gray (Pro Extreme Motorcycle) and Cary Goforth (Extreme Pro Stock) will already be defending points leads established last October when they won at the Texas Motorplex.

Nearly all tickets to ADRL national events are distributed free of charge in the communities surrounding each race venue, courtesy of ADRL series and event sponsors, making ADRL events an exciting and affordable entertainment option for families, business associates and large gatherings of friends.

Spectator gates to the ADRL Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park will open Friday, Mar. 19, at 9 a.m. local time for three scheduled rounds of qualifying for all professional classes, followed by jet car and monster truck drag racing exhibitions. Saturday’s spectator gates will open at 8 a.m. Central for a fourth and final round of qualifying at 9 a.m., with elimination rounds for all classes beginning at 1 p.m., followed again by jet car and monster truck exhibitions and fan-friendly ADRL winner’s circle celebration.

(ADRL/Lorenzini photos)

March 12, 2010

Carpenter Adds DMP Awnings as Associate Sponsor

CHARLOTTE, NC (Mar. 12, 2010)— ADRL Pro Nitrous star Charles Carpenter announced today that his team has added DMP Awnings, a division of Minnesota-based Dubbin Racing Products, in an associate sponsorship role for the 2010 ADRL season.

Not only will the DMP Awnings logo appear on Carpenter’s unmistakable Pro Nitrous ’55 Chevy, but a new DMP Awning will be outfitted to the Charles Carpenter Racing team’s rig.

The partnership was initially brought to life shortly after Carpenter’s devastating crash at the ADRL’s season-opening Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park one year ago. Dubbin was one of the first to pitch in and offer to help Carpenter get back on track any way he could, despite having never met him.

Now that Carpenter is back and poised to make a run at the ADRL Pro Nitrous championship in 2010, Dubbin has stepped up his support to help achieve that goal. During their first face-to-face meeting at December’s Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando, the two came to an agreement for DMP to become involved as an associate sponsor.

“We’re thrilled to have formed a relationship with Dean and DMP Awnings,” Carpenter said. “He’s a hard-working small business owner much like myself, so we share a lot of common ground in both business and racing. He understands the commitment it takes for the working man to do this, so we hit it off right from the start and I couldn’t ask to be involved with a better individual or company.

“On top of that, DMP Awnings produces one of the highest quality awning systems available and we can’t wait to get ours installed.”

Dean Dubbin founded DMP Awnings in 1994, and when he’s not out racing his record-setting Top Dragster, he’s at DMP producing one of the strongest, most affordable, and hassle-free awning systems available anywhere.

“We weathered the economic storm in 2009, and in 2010 we’re swinging for the fences to try to make it our best year ever,” said Dubbin. “We’re already off to a great start by entering this partnership with Charles Carpenter Racing and I’m excited about the exposure this will bring to our product. DMP Awnings are perfect for the fast doorslammer racer who wants top quality and a quick, easy setup in a durable awning system custom made for their trailer.”

(ADRL/McHugh/Richards file photos)

March 11, 2010

Team Aruba Ta Aki! (Team Aruba is Here!)

SAINT LOUIS, MO (Mar. 11, 2010) — With the American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL’s) Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen just around the corner, Aruba’s very own Team Aruba has its sights set on an Extreme Pro Stock race victory.

The drivers and crew members behind Team Aruba are excitedly awaiting qualifying Mar. 19, at Houston Raceway Park after recently running very successful tests at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida. With an eighth-mile test run at 4.06 seconds, the team feels very optimistic about 2010 being a great year for Team Aruba. is looking forward to Dragpalooza VI and feeling very about the new season.

“Our run at Bradenton makes us very competitive in the Extreme Pro Stock category. We’re feeling pretty confident right now,” driver Trevor Eman said.

While currently based in Union, South Carolina, Team Aruba, formerly The Brute Racing, is an Extreme Pro Stock drag racing team originally from the small island nation of Aruba. Located just off the northern coast of Venezuela, Aruba has hosted the drag racing sport for several decades, most notably with the 1983 opening of the International Raceway Park Palo Marga.

The Brute Racing Organization, founded in 1986, built their first car, “The Brute,” which led its driver to championship in the Super Gas Category. Eight years later, Brute Racing built the “Sun Express,” a 1994 Ford Probe that would eventually break all Aruban drag-course records and bring Brute Racing to Aruban fame.

After years of racing in Aruba, Brute Racing moved its team to the United States, forming Team Aruba in South Carolina. Racing for Team Aruba since 2007, Trevor Eman currently races a 2006 Ford Escort in the ADRL’s Extreme Pro Stock division while attending classes at the University of Central Florida.

As Dragpalooza VI quickly approaches, Team Aruba is preparing diligently to outperform the competition and earn a spot at the 2010 ADRL Speedtech Battle for the Belts, to be held Oct, 22, at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.

(ADRL/Bunsold file photo)

March 8, 2010

Barklage Racing Now Two-Car Team

ST. LOUIS, MO (Mar. 5, 2010) — After a long absence from the driver’s seat, Zach Barklage will return to Barklage Racing in 2010, campaigning his newly-finished 1957 Chevy alongside younger brother Cody’s 1967 Pontiac Firebird in American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Pro Extreme competition.

Both Barklage brothers plan to test their respective rides in a tune-up event Mar. 12, at Dallas Raceway in Crandall, Texas, prior to entering the Mar. 19-20, Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.  

Also this week, Barklage Racing launched a redesigned Web site  featuring exclusive photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes content for both brothers. The new site, designed by ZOOMMO Web Solutions, welcomes fans with a variety of interactive features and provides easy click-through access to Barklage Racing’s Facebook and Twitter pages. 

ZOOMMO Web Solutions also has been added as an associate sponsor on both Barklage Racing cars for the 2010 season, complementing Lucas Oil, Goodson Tool, Goodyear Racing Tires and NGK Spark Plugs. 

“We are still looking for a more active major partnership for 2010,” Cody Barklage remarked during a recent interview. “Zach and I love working the crowds, making appearances and promoting our team and sponsors. We want to bring someone on board who sees the value in that and will let us represent their brand full time.”

Joe Shelton, owner of ZOOMMO Web Solutions, said he feels fortunate to be on board with Barklage Racing this year.

“Zach and Cody really get it,” he said. “Plus, I’ve seen them down the track enough over the years to know we’ll be in the winner’s circle!”

March 3, 2010

Summit Racing Equipment Named Official High Performance Source of ADRL

O’FALLON, MO (Mar. 3, 2010) – The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) is proud to announce a major, multi-year agreement with Summit Racing Equipment, naming the Ohio-based company as the Official High Performance Source of ADRL and title rights sponsor for its Sep. 24-25, Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

“Summit Racing Equipment is a highly valued marketing partner of the ADRL and the racing industry as a whole and this multi-year agreement ensures they’ll remain an important part of our mutual success and growth for years to come,” ADRL Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brian Evans said.

“It is an honor for us to continue racing under the Summit Racing banner at Summit Motorsports Park and I can’t thank them enough for their commitment to our future together.”

Summit Racing Equipment is an industry leader in the distribution of motorsports and high-performance parts and equipment through mail-order and Internet-based sales.

Summit Racing also sponsors the ADRL’s trackside Membership Zone and the popular DragRaceCentral.com Web site that provides live, round-by-round reporting from each ADRL national event. Additionally, Bob Chandler’s world-famous Summit Racing Equipment “Bigfoot” Monster Truck will appear at all nine ADRL national events this year, with the Summit Racing Special Events trailer also scheduled to attend several times in 2010.

“We’re very excited about our future with the ADRL. The growth of the series has been nothing short of phenomenal, and I look forward to seeing the Summit Racing name helping to build the ADRL even more,” Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports and Events Manager Jim Greenleaf stated. “I’m also looking forward to seeing Pete Berner compete in the ADRL’s Extreme Pro Stock class with his Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac GXP.”

The Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV will be the eighth of nine scheduled eighth-mile drag racing events this year for the ADRL, which typically averages 70,000-plus fans per weekend.

“It’s a thrill for everyone at Summit Racing Equipment to continue bringing the ADRL to drag racing fans in our home state of Ohio and bringing the race back to Summit Motorsports Park is icing on the cake,” Greenleaf said. “We experienced a tremendously positive response from our staff and customers after last year’s race and feel confident our expanded support of the ADRL will be met with similar enthusiasm.”

March 2, 2010

Sweet Show Chicago for Berner and Summit

CRETE, IL (Mar. 2, 2010)— Pete Berner (second from right) is breaking his new paint scheme in right with the Summit fans.

Last weekend his ADRL Extreme Pro Stock Pontiac GXP was on display at the Detroit Autorama, a huge stop on the Summit Racing Equipment Car Show Series, and this weekend Berner is taking it to his home town Car Show Series stop, the World of Wheels at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago.

More than 100,000 fans toured the Detroit Autorama to see one of the largest displays of race cars, muscle cars, and classic cars available, plus exhibitions, guest speakers, and shows.

The Detroit Autorama also hosted a Student Career Day where those well-known in various areas of motorsports and the auto industry speak to the students about the opportunities available in these fields. As one of the guest speakers, Berner spoke to over 3,000 students to enlighten them on the possibilities afforded by drag racing. Berner, who often is a spokesman for the sport, even more so than for his own racing, was excited by the opportunity to speak to the Detroit students.

“The fans at the Autorama were phenomenal. It was great to speak with them and have them take in our new paint scheme featuring Summit Racing Equipment,” Berner said. “Everyone was very receptive. We spoke to a lot of drag racing fans and I know we made some new ones this weekend. It will be great to see some of them out at the ADRL races in the area.

“The Summit Racing Equipment Car Show Series is really spectacular. It was like heaven for auto enthusiasts,” he continued. “I would like to thank Jim Greenleaf, Don Lower and the awesome Summit staff for allowing us to be a part of this and asking us to represent them at this show. They are true professionals to work with.”

Berner remains enthusiastic about displaying the car at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment Car Show Series stop in Chicago.

“I am especially looking forward to this one because it’s right in my back yard, so we should have a lot of hometown fans. It’s truly an honor to represent Summit at these events and I’m thrilled that we could be a part of them. It’s a great way to start off our year,” he said.

The Mar. 5-7, World of Wheels at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago will feature hot rods, motorcycles, classic cars, imports, live music, celebrity guests, exhibitions and more. Berner’s Summit Racing Equipment GXP will be on display in the Summit booth. For more information on the Chicago World of Wheels visit www.autorama.com.

March 2, 2010

ADRL Bans Use of Titanium Wheel Studs; Issues Other Rules Clarifications and Reminders

O’FALLON, MO (Mar. 1, 2010) – The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) announced today that titanium wheel studs are prohibited in all professional classes, effective immediately, and the rule will be checked for compliance beginning Mar. 19-20, at the season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.

“The ADRL has been monitoring this issue for the past year and last week during our monthly Rules Committee meeting, committee members voted unanimously to ban the use of titanium wheel studs in all professional categories,” Tom Grooms of the ADRL Technical Services division said. “So, all ADRL competitors are advised to make this immediate change.”

Additionally, ADRL Technical Services reiterated that all Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous entries are required to have full-floating rear-end housings this season, as per the 2010 ADRL rules. However, recognizing that certain teams may still need time to comply, Grooms said a one-event extension to the rule’s implementation has been granted.

“Our Rules Committee voted to allow ADRL teams a one-race exemption, but we want to make it very clear that everyone must be in full compliance with this rule by Apr. 23-24, at the Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at Valdosta, Georgia,” Grooms stated. “There will be no exceptions made once we get to Georgia.”

Finally, Grooms reminded all Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM) teams that their bikes must have an ADRL-accepted engine containment system in place this season, beginning at the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen. Presently, the only manufacturer to have submitted a design and received ADRL-accepted status is Taylor Motorsports Products, which can be reached online at www.TaylorMotorsports.com or by calling (800) 320-2988.

All manufacturers of PXM engine containment systems are encouraged to submit a sample for ADRL acceptance by contacting Grooms in the ADRL Technical Services division at the ADRL’s main office at (636) 272-2375 or via e-mail sent to tom@adrl.us. Additionally, any competitor with questions about ADRL rules should contact Grooms for clarifications or direction.

“I would encourage all ADRL competitors in all classes to visit www.ADRL.us daily in order to stay current with the rules. All new rules and revisions will be referenced there in both the News section and the Agent 660 column, as well as in the Rules section itself,” Grooms said.

“I also encourage our race team members to remember, if it’s not posted on the official ADRL Web site, it’s not official. It is the responsibility of all ADRL competitors to remain up-to-date on the rules, but if there are any questions they should contact me directly.”

(ADRL/Richards/Harrison file photos)