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June 30, 2009

National Guard ADRL Announces 2010 Date for Memphis

O’FALLON, MO (June 30, 2009) – True to form in going its own way, the National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) is already confirming the first race date for its 2010 national event tour.

“Why wait when you have good news? Everyone had such a good time a few weeks ago that we want to make sure they mark their calendars now for May 28-29, 2010, and our return to Memphis Motorsports Park (MMP) with the Quarter-Max Memphis Drags III,” National Guard ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling said. “Hopefully, we can make attending this event a real Memorial Day weekend tradition for Memphis race fans.”

A two-day crowd of 58,750 passed through the MMP turnstiles for this year’s National Guard ADRL event (May 22-23), including more than 38,200 for Saturday’s twin qualifying sessions followed by elimination rounds in five professional classes of 16 race vehicles each.

Track Vice President and General Manager Jason Rittenberry said it was the largest single-day attendance for drag racing that he has ever seen at the Millington, Tennessee facility. Unfortunately, wet weather cut the event short just before the semi finals for all five classes and the race had to be completed at the series’ next scheduled event two weeks later in Michigan.

“The response we’ve had to the National Guard ADRL has been unlike anything I’ve seen here before,” Rittenberry stated. “Even with the rainout we had people telling us it was the best drag race they’ve ever attended and we’re still receiving positive comments more than a month later. That alone tells me this was a very special event.”

The National Guard ADRL is the world’s leading sanctioning body for eighth-mile drag racing and presents an all-pro show with no filler classes. Current records over the 660-foot race distance are 3.66 seconds and 207.43 mph, both set at Memphis this year by reigning two-time National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme World Champion Jason Scruggs of Saltillo, Mississippi.

“The cars are incredible; the drivers are incredible and the entire ADRL race experience is incredible,” Rittenberry said. “We couldn’t be happier knowing the National Guard ADRL will be back at Memphis Motorsports Park in 2010.”

The National Guard ADRL raced in front of record crowds at Memphis Motorsports Park in May, but rain cut the event short. Series and track officials are hoping that won’t be the case May 28-29, 2010, when the National Guard ADRL returns with its Quarter-Max Memphis Drags III.

(ADRL/Ball file photos)

June 30, 2009

National Guard ADRL Updates Supercharger Rules

O’FALLON, MO (June 30, 2009) –The National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) announced today several rule clarifications related to the use of superchargers in its Pro Extreme and Extreme 10.5 classes.

-          Use of any size centrifugal, roots-type or screw-type supercharger allowed.

-          Maximum overdrive for a roots-type supercharger is 1.70 (70 percent over).

-          Maximum overdrive for a PSI screw-type supercharger is 2.28 (128 percent over). 

-          Maximum overdrive for a Whipple screw-type supercharger is 1.60 (60 percent over). 

-          All screw-type superchargers must be certified to SFI Spec 34.1 and overdrive limit established to be eligible for ADRL competition.

-          Any new screw-type supercharger must be approved for competition prior to competing at an ADRL event.

-          All screw-type superchargers must display a current SFI Recertification tag.

“We haven’t had a problem in this area, but these rules are intended to stave off any issues before they arise,” National Guard ADRL Executive Vice President of Competition Bubba Corzine explained. “We just want to put it in writing and make sure that all of our race teams know where we stand in regard to these power enhancers.” 

(ADRL/Lorenzini file photo)

June 30, 2009

Carpenter Making Much-Anticipated Return to ADRL Action

CHARLOTTE, NC (June 30, 2009) – Nearly four months after the official start of the 2009 National Guard ADRL season, Charles Carpenter is ready to start over again.

Since crashing his unmistakable ’55 Chevy in early March at Houston Raceway Park, both Carpenter himself and the car have healed at almost the same rate, and both are looking to make their return to the Pro Nitrous scene at this weekend’s National Guard ADRL Hardee’s Independence Drags III in Topeka, KS.

“I’m just now getting to the point where my back feels like it’s almost back to normal and I can get back in the driver’s seat,” said Carpenter. “Coincidentally, the car is ready to go at the same time.”

Carpenter didn’t want to make the long haul from Charlotte, NC to Topeka with an almost completely rebuilt car and no test time, so Buddy Boozer’s Orangeburg Dragstrip was the perfect proving grounds for the freshened ’55 just over two weeks ago (above).

“I had to make sure I could handle it physically, and I knew we would have some small bugs to work out of the car,” said the 50-year-old auto repair center owner. “It felt great to get back out there. There was no pain whatsoever. The car feels just as good as it did before, and with some changes we’ve made to our combination it’s really reacting in the front half of the track. I never made a full pass at Orangeburg, but it posted some really good short numbers. We’re encouraged by its performance and feel confident heading to Topeka.”

Unfortunately, the car retains a somewhat patchwork appearance following the repairs made to correct its meeting with the wall in Houston.

“It’s definitely not pretty, but that won’t matter as long as it’s fast,” Carpenter said. “We’ll get it repainted eventually, but that’s not in the budget right now and we’ve got to make it to this race for everyone that has helped us get back out there. We can’t miss another one. Every race we miss, we’re losing ground not only in points, but in keeping up with the record-breaking performance we seem to see race after race in Pro Nitrous. You’ve got to be out there refining your program lap after lap if you hope to have any chance of being competitive.”

After 35 years, one would think Carpenter has done all the refining possible. Not so says the Pro Nitrous pioneer.

“I’m never satisfied when it comes to racing,” Carpenter declared. “It’s going to take everything we’ve got to get back out there, but that’s exactly what we’re willing to give.”

(Photo by Buddy Trivette courtesy of Charles Carpenter Racing) 

June 30, 2009

TMRC Well-Represented in ADRL’s Top Classes

HAWK POINT, MO (June 30, 2009)— The Tim McAmis Race Cars (TMRC) support trailer (right) will be rolling into Topeka, Kansas, later this week for the July 3-4, Hardee’s Independence Drags III, the fifth stop on the 2009 National Guard ADRL Tour.

TMRC-built cars put on quite a show at the previous ADRL event three weeks ago in Martin, Michigan, where the rain-postponed Pro Nitrous final from Memphis was finally run featuring TMRC standouts Jim Halsey (below left) and Tim Savell from the Bankston Boyz in a thrilling side-by-side performance, with Halsey taking the win home to Maryland.

Rookie driver Khalid Al Balooshi also was impressive in his TMRC Camaro, covering the Martin eighth mile in a career-best 3.88 seconds at more than 193 mph in a clear testament to the superior quality and performance a McAmis-built race car delivers.

Also, after a few days of testing, Pat Stoken and his new Stoken Family Logging ‘68 Camaro have made some huge strides toward getting back to race-winning ways and will be looking to turn their season around at Topeka. Stoken’s new TMRC Version 4 entry has imposed a bit of a learning curve on the team with its enormous horsepower being channeled through a significantly lighter race car than any he’s driven in seasons past, but once they start making consistent low-3.90-second passes, the round wins will come and Stoken may yet become a contender for the ADRL’s championship-deciding Battle for the Belts this fall.

Meanwhile, among the best-kept secrets in Pro Nitrous has been the admirable performances by TMRC racers Lee Atkins, Mark Malcuitt and John DeCerbo, who all qualified with torque-converter driven cars.

Joshua Hernandez (right) and his National Guard Team Red guys will be in Topeka, too, showing off the TMRC-edition, Pro Extreme ‘57 Chevy that they debuted in Memphis last month with a 201-mph qualifying blast in just its second official ADRL pass.

So, if attending the ADRL race at Heartland Park Topeka this July 4th holiday weekend, please make sure to stop by the Tim McAmis Performance Parts trailer to get your hands on the latest in superior race car components. And remember, the same quality the stars of the 2009 National Guard ADRL race with is available to you at www.timmcamis.com.

(ADRL/Richards/Ball file photos)

June 29, 2009

D’Aprile Hopes to Regain Momentum

ELMA, NY (June 29, 2009)—After placing Pro Extreme team owner Mel Bush’s 62’ Bel Air in the number-four spot at the National Guard ADRL Ford Drive One Summer Drags V a few weeks ago in Martin, Michigan, driver Tommy D’Aprile then posted his first 200-mile-per-hour pass over the eighth mile in a first-round win over fellow Floridian Joey Martin.

“I can’t believe it,” D’Aprile (left) said later.

“To look at our deal from the outside would make you think we have a few things holding us back, and we do, but those Jan-Cen guys just know how to make monster power.”

The momentum the team was hoping to build on was squashed, however, when for the second event in a row Mother Nature put an end to the festivities, forcing ADRL officials to postpone the remainder of eliminations to this weekend’s Hardee’s Independence Drags III at Heartland Park Topeka, in Kansas.

The Michigan wrap-up will take place on Friday in conjunction with one scheduled round of qualifying for the Independence Drags by all five National Guard ADRL professional classes. Two additional rounds of qualifying and eliminations for the Topeka race will be run throughout Saturday at Heartland Park.

“It would’ve been nice to keep going in Martin. We we’re on a roll,” Bush said.

“Kevin (crew chief Kevin Peters Of Jan-Cen Motorsports) has this old sled moving. If we can get a good test pass in when we get to Topeka I know Kevin and Mike (Janis) will give Tommy everything he needs.”

In related news, Mel Bush Motorsports has taken delivery of a new lightweight Dan Page Race Cars-built 1970 Camaro. The Camaro is currently at Scott Jahren’s Tonawanda, NY, shop being prepared for paint and is set to debut at the next ADRL event, the NationalGuard.com U.S. Drags II on July 24-25, at Virginia Motorsports Park.

“The 62’ is a great car, but to gain that extra competitive edge we needed to try and get some weight off of her. We did everything we could within reason but she’s still right around ‘legal’ weight (2,650 lbs),” Bush said. “It’s a fantastic Pro Mod, but we race Pro Extreme now. The new car is extremely lighter. Dan did a fantastic job on the car; it’s a work of art.”

(ADRL/Bunsold/Tocher/Richards file photos)

June 28, 2009

Janis Plans on Clutch Performance in Topeka

ELMA, NY (June 28, 2009) —Horsepower, torque, and adrenaline have driven Mike Janis to become one of the top racers, engine builders and tuners in the world, and while some level of fame comes from being the best at what you do, that’s not what’s most important to Janis, a former world champion who is racing in the National Guard ADRL’s Pro Extreme class for the first time this year.

“When we first decided to do this professionally we just hoped to get into the field. Once we knew we could do that on a regular basis our focus turned to winning events,” the Pro Extreme “rookie” said. “Now, as the years have gone by, we continually push ourselves to improve in different ways. That doesn’t always mean winning a race is the ultimate goal.”

That’s not to say winning races isn’t important to the Elma, NY-based engine builder; but it’s the “numbers” he’s chasing that now take precedence.

“Like our sponsor, Aeroquip, it’s about performance. Aeroquip has outperformed its competitors for over 60 years by continually trying to improve their products. We have taken what we’ve learned from working with such a great company and implemented it into both Mike Janis Racing and Jan-Cen Motorsports,” Janis continued.

“Our performance on the track has helped us grow our business, Jan-Cen Motorsports, and we need our engines to be able to out perform everyone out there. We continually perform R&D so we can give whatever we test and prove to our customers. We know we have the power to run in the 3.60s, but we have to prove it first. So for right now (those are) the numbers we’re chasing.”

In order to reach that goal, it will take teamwork from everyone involved with Mike Janis Racing, so they recently have been relying on the expertise of long-time sponsor Ram Clutches to assist them in reaching the now-coveted 3.60 zone.

“Pat (Norcia) from Ram Clutches has stood by us for years and has continued his support through sponsorship and technology,” crew chief Mike Janis Jr. said.

“Recently we revamped our clutch program and have been following Pat’s lead. We’ll be running an updated system this weekend in Topeka (and) while the track and weather conditions may prohibit us from getting to the numbers we’re looking for, our new clutch program should show immediate dividends when it comes to consistency.”

Regardless, Janis Jr. is expecting a big weekend July 3-4, with his dad and their Aeroquip-backed ‘68 Camaro at the Hardee’s Independence Drags III at Heartland Park Topeka. 

“Even with the hot weather conditions I think we can run some real good numbers,” he said. “The one we’re chasing this weekend is the number one—as in the number-one qualifier.”

(ADRL/Richards/Tocher/McHugh file photos)

June 25, 2009

Aeromotive Hosting Open House Featuring XTF Champ Billy Glidden

LENEXA, KS (June 25, 2009)— As part of the build-up to the July 3-4, National Guard ADRL Hardee’s Independence Drags III at Heartland Park Topeka, Aeromotive Fuel Systems will host an exclusive open house on Thursday, July 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its nearby manufacturing facility and offices at 7805 Barton Street in Lenexa, Kansas.

Lunch will be served for all those in attendance and the open house will feature an autograph session by reigning Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 (XTF) World Champion Billy Glidden. Attendees will get the opportunity to meet Glidden and see his impressive racing operation, including the beautiful, Mickey Thompson-sponsored GTO (below).

In addition, the entire Aeromotive fleet will be on display, from their well-known, Larson-built, twin-turbo Mustang to their brand-new Ford Cobra Jet Dragster and their work-in-progress Cobra Jet, a three of three Ford Prototype Cobra Jet.

This open house offers a rare opportunity to look inside a performance industry-leading manufacturer. See where the most durable and longest lasting fuel pumps and fuel delivery components in the world are designed, engineered, assembled and tested before shipping out the door.

“We know it’s unusual for manufacturers to open their doors and give the consumers a chance to see behind the curtain, but we’ve always felt like it’s important for people to know what they are buying,” Aeromotive founder and President Steve Matusek said. “We know it’s a cool process to see how we do business and we think that any chance we have to educate people on what we do and why we do it is a great opportunity.”

Aeromotive’s relationship with Glidden is a rather recent one, going back only to the beginning of the 2009 season. Obviously, it has been beneficial for both parties as Glidden is off to amazing start to the season with a perfect four out of four wins in the 2009 National Guard ADRL points season. He also is the current XTF world record holder of the quickest E.T. with a 4.079-seconds blast over the eighth-mile in Memphis, TN.

“I’ve said it before, but any chance you have to align yourself with people like Billy Glidden is an awesome opportunity. We are very excited to bring him out to our facility and are proud he’s flying the Aeromotive flag,” Matusek said.

Aeromotive Inc. is a true high performance aftermarket manufacturer specializing in fuel delivery and fuel delivery components. Utilizing aerospace tolerances and procedures, three generations of track experience and a meticulous approach to engineering, Aeromotive Fuel Systems has become the absolute pinnacle of performance fuel delivery.

For more information on Aeromotive’s extensive line of components and the advantages they can provide, go to www.aeromotiveinc.com, or for directions or to speak with one of Aeromotive’s highly qualified technicians, call (913) 647-7300.

June 21, 2009

Stott: ‘We’re Having Fun Again’

COLUMBUS, NC (June 19, 2009)—What a difference a year can make. After struggling through 2008, in what easily could be considered his toughest season in two decades, National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme racer Quain Stott is back in the groove that led to much of the success he’s enjoyed throughout his racing career.

With most of last season spent in research-and-development mode, Stott is back to his winning ways—as both driver and tuner.

“I was just being hard-headed,” he admits about the 2008 season. “The stuff we had figured out on paper should have made the car faster—it just wouldn’t work in racing conditions.”

The revelation that had Stott removing thousands of dollars in parts and more man hours than he would care to admit completely turned his LeeBoy Equipment team around and has it currently situated in second place in the Pro Extreme points chase.

Last October at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas, Stott won the first race counting toward the 2009 championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts. (the National Guard ADRL begins each new season with a race at the end of the prior calendar year).

Since that time, Stott has compiled an impressive 11-3 record (.786 winning percentage) over the season’s first four events, including the Dallas win and a runner-up finish from Memphis. The conclusion of the most recent event, the Ford Drive One Summer Drags V from Martin, MI, had to be postponed for rain, with eliminations set to be concluded on Friday July 3, as part of the Hardee’s Independence Drags III at Heartland Park Topeka, in Kansas.

Stott enjoyed a number-two starting position for the Summer Drags and won his first-round match in Michigan, so he has an opportunity to double up on wins and gain ground on points leader Jason Scruggs, who suffered engine damage and bowed out from the opening round.

“We’re having fun again,” Stott said from his North Carolina race shop. “Racing is such a fickle roller coaster ride. We’re going to enjoy it while we can.”

(ADRL/Tocher file photos)