For round by round coverage, click here
June 8, 2008
Summer Drags Finals Postponed
(3:31 pm) The racing for the weekend has officially been postponed. As you can tell from the pictures below, heavy storms have moved in for the afternoon. The final rounds in all classes will be completed at the next event, June 20-21, at Tulsa Raceway Park... where ADRL prez Kenny Nowling says the arm-drop start will again be used for all four Martin finals.
June 8, 2008
And We are Down
(3:11 pm) A HUGE thunderstorm has just rolled in & everyone is headed for cover. No official word yet, but I suspect this will put an end to the Summer Drags. More info as it becomes available. (ADRL/Richards photos)
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June 8, 2008
Pro Extreme Eliminations Round #3
(2:48 pm)
(L) Frankie Taylor – N/T
(R) Bob Mandell – 4.092 et – 181.50 mph (**WINNER**)
Frankie rolled out of the beams & did not get a time… Mandell had a big holeshot & took it on through for a trip to the final round…
(L) Travis Swearingen – N/T
(R) Josh Hernandez – 4.002 et – 192.35 mph (**WINNER**)
Travis broke something on the burnout & had to be pushed off… Josh rolled in way deep again, but got the solo trip to the final…
June 8, 2008
Pro Nitrous Eliminations Round #3
(2:39 pm)
(L) Billy Harper – 4.228 et – 175.78 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Thomas Myers – 3.984 et – 186.08 mph
Harper was off the pace again, but got away with it as Thomas was dead late at the hit, giving away another killer run…
(L) Dennis Radford – 4.070 et – 180.62 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Stan Allen – N/T
Allen broke after the burnout & had to be shutoff… Radford was all over the centerline but held it off to make it an all Harper/Radford final round…
June 8, 2008
Extreme 10.5 Eliminations Round #2
(2:33 pm)
(L) Michelle Wilson – N/T
(R) Gary White – 4.470 et – 156.73 mph (**WINNER**)
Tough break for Wilson as the car would not fire… White with the single in the little Toyota, sounded like he lifted early…
(L) Billy Glidden – N/T
(R) Brent Rau – 6.844 et – 70.72 mph(**WINNER**)
Glidden headed home after the first round so Rau had the single & appeared he may have hurt something in the process…
June 8, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Eliminations Round #3
(2:25 pm)
(L) Charlie Prophit – 4.423 et – 158.43 mph
(R) Scott Gray – 4.389 et – 167.81 mph (**WINNER**)
These guys leave the line together & Gray makes a nice pass with big MPH.
(L) Monte Campbell – 4.611 et – 157.29 mph
(R) TT Jones – 4.494 et – 162.38 mph (**WINNER**)
The bike guys have this deal figured out!! They leave nearly dead even & Jones goes to the final…
June 8, 2008
Pro Extreme Eliminations Round #2
(1:36 pm)
(L) Bubba Stanton – N/T
(R) Bob Mandell – 4.312 et – 162.53 mph (**WINNER**)
Stanton was a no-show… Mandell was laboring on the big end…
(L) Frankie Taylor – N/T (**WINNER**)
(R) Bil Clanton – N/T
Clanton decide to head home… Frankie just does the burnout & takes the tree for the round win…
(L) Travis Swearingen – 5.563 et – 87.33 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Jason Scruggs – N/T
Obviously Jason is not racing today after the incident with Mitchell. Swearingen shook the tires & clicked it off..
(L) Josh Hernandez – 6.920 et – 193.21 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Alex Hossler – 4.178 et – 180.61 mph
Hossler was dead late at the hit… Hernandez et was screwy as he was rolled in too deep on this deal…
June 8, 2008
Pro Nitrous Eliminations Round #2
(1:16 pm)
(L) Billy Harper – 4.008 et – 185.22 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Randy Weatherford – 4.822 et – 109.24 mph
Harper was a little down on the 60’, his only pass out of the 3’s this weekend…
(L) Thomas Myers – 4.054 et – 185.25 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Greg Godwin – 4.065 et – 182.91 mph
Great side by side shot as they left dead even & were welded together all the way to the stripe!!.
(L) Shannon Jenkins – 5.098 et – 102.98 mph
(R) Dennis Radford – 4.139 et – 180.73 mph (**WINNER**)
Nice side by side leave here but Jenkins shakes the tires & clicks it off..
(L) Stan Allen – 4.146 et – 175.63 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Jim Halsey – N/T
Halsey is a no show, deciding to head home... Allen has the front end hiked up a long way & makes a good run.
June 8, 2008
Extreme 10.5 Eliminations Round #1
(1:02 pm)
(L) Michelle Wilson – 4.380 et – 169.26 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Todd Moyer – 4.981 et – 123.25 mph
Wilson makes a great run in the left lane to take the easy win…
(L) Bob Mandell III – N/T
(R) Gary White – 5.295 et – 97.84 mph (**WINNER**)
Mandell broke on the burnout… White had problems at halftrack & had to lift…
(L) Billy Glidden – 4.326 et – 165.96 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) HT Wilson – 13.394 et – 34.67 mph
Glidden makes another killer run with the smallblock ride, with a 1.04 60’!!
(L) Steve Gorman – 8.394 et – 163.52 mph
(R) Brent Rau – 4.615 et – 153.03 mph (**WINNER**)
Gorman rolled the lights & Rau made a great run in the little turbo ride…
June 8, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Eliminations Round #2
(12:55pm)
(L) Billy Vose – no time
(R) Monte Campbell – no time (**WINNER**)
This is an experiment… We got no times, but video shows Campbell taking the stripe .
(L) Mimmo Marciano – 4.507 et – 159.15 mph
(R) Scott Gray – 4.536 et – 166.11 mph (**WINNER**)
A great side by side race here…
(L) Jack Young – N/T
(R) Charlie Prophit – N/T (**WINNER**)
Young was a no show for this race... Again this is an experimental deal, we got no timing info, but Prophit takes the win…
(L) Matt Prophit – 4.409 et – 165.33 mph
(R) TT Jones – 4.469 et – 162.53 mph (**WINNER**)
TT Jones takes the win light in a good side by side pair…
June 8, 2008
Mitchell Scruggs Injured In Starting Line Incident
Jason Scruggs' father, Mitchell, was injured in a freak starting-line incident and transported to a local hospital. He was standing in the area behind the burnout box, when debris was pitched from an Extreme 10.5 competitor's burnout and impacted Mitchell in the chest. We have official word that Mitchell is now stable and will be okay.
This again stresses the importance of awareness in regards to the starting-line area as safety has to be paramount.
We would like to express our best wishes to Mitchell and the Scruggs family for a speedy recovery.
June 8, 2008
ADRL Goes Pink??
Surrounded by ADRL racers, series president Kenny Nowling demonstrates some of the hand signals he'll be using to stage and signal the start of each pair of elimination-round competitors at the 4th annual ADRL Pizza Hut Sumer Drags in Martin, MI. (ADRL/Tocher photo)
(11:23 am) Okay folks, see how this grabs you... The on-track timing equipment is completely down. There are no options for repair at this point.
ADRL prez Kenny Nowling, ever the innovator and never afraid to try something different, has formulated a plan for awarding winners today. We will be running retro style flag start!!! Nowling himself will hand start each competitor and first to the finish will take the win... Points will be split evenly, this will just be for bragging rights.
Hang on, this should be a interesting day!
June 8, 2008
Racing To Resume Shortly
(9:55 am) The track is almost ready for action, bikes will be called to the lanes in approx 15 minutes & we will be hot lapping all day. There are potential weather issues later on this afternoon, so all competitiors are being asked to bring their rides back around as soon as possible so we can get this in.
June 8, 2008
Racing To Resume Sunday Morning
Eliminations for the Pizza Hut Summer Drags will resume tomorrow with the schedule as follows.
Spectator Gates open - 9:00 am
Racing resumes - 10:00 am
All free tickets will be honored & all spectator parking will be free. Hopefully the very supportive crowd who endured the weather this evening will come back out & the enjoy the action tomorrow.
June 7, 2008
Saturday Action Postponed
(10:40 pm) It is official, tonight's action has been postponed after the bad weather returned with a vengeance. Decisions on the course of action for completion of the event have yet to be determined. Official word will be posted as soon as it is available.
June 7, 2008
Update… Again….
(10:21 pm) Here is the latest word... The track is nearly dry & and officials are preparing to call competitors to the lanes... The weather is still touch & go, but right now we are dry. Stayed tuned for further updates.
June 7, 2008
The Latest
(9:22 pm) Just another quick update. The jet dryer is about to be fired & the latest estimate is approx 45 minutes to an hour to get the track ready for action.
June 7, 2008
ADRL Packs The House Again
Before the rains came, the stands were absolutely packed & the line of cars coming in the gates was non-stop. While official numbers are not yet available, several US 131 officials state that the crowd this afternoon was the best they have ever seen here at Martin. (ADRL/Richards photo)
June 7, 2008
Rain Delay Update
(8:48 pm) Just a quick status update, a substantial rain shower came & soaked us pretty well. It has now stopped & track drying is underway. There is another front headed this direction from the Chicagoland area that we are keeping an eye on. ADRL & Track officials are evaluating the situation at this point the intention is to get this race in tonight.
June 7, 2008
We Have Rain
(8:02pm) With pre-race complete & the semi-finalists in the lanes, we have rain showers. Looking at the local radar, we are on the southern edge of a storm front that is passing through. It is obviously wait & see, however we have every intention of getting this race in tonight.
June 7, 2008
Pre-Race & Semis On the Way
(7:34 pm) After a brief pre-race ceremony, we will go straight back to eliminations with Pro Extreme Motorcycle & Extreme 10.5.
June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Eliminations Round #1
Members of Jason Scruggs' team celebrates with car builder Garret Livingston (right) after Scruggs won his first elimination round at more than 200 miles per hour in his new Garret Race Cars-built '06 Dodge Stratus. "I feel like a huge monkey has been lifted off my back," an elated Livingston said later, alluding to several incidents suffered by Scruggs in testing the new car over the last few months. The Stratus made its competition debut at the ADRL Pizza Hut Summer Drags in Martin, Michigan this weekend. (ADRL/Tocher photo)
(7:35 pm)
(L) Brandon Snider – 5.847 et – 81.67 mph
(R) Travis Swearingen – 4.204 et – 166.10 mph (**WINNER**)
Travis was dead late, Snider got crossed up first, then Travis got loose himself & did a whale of a driving job to hang on to it…
(L) Hugh Scott – 4.975 et – 105.67 mph
(R) Bubba Stanton – 4.088 et – 186.82 mph (**WINNER**)
Hugh shook right off the line… Stanton was all over his lane but gets the win… Word is that Stanton put some oil down, so we will be down a few minutes…
(L) Ray Commisso – broke
(R) Alex Hossler – 4.026 et – 182.79 mph (**WINNER**)
Of course Commisso could not make the call due to the incident early today… Hossler gets the single & is making some killer passes with the automatic!!
(L) Jason Scruggs – 3.838 et – 200.89 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Brian Daniels – broke
Daniels broke something on the burnout & oiled the right lane… HE was shut off & Scruggs got the single, this time right down the center of the lane to HUGE mph!!!
(L) Brian Robbins – 4.148 et – 173.85 mph
(R) Bil Clanton – 4.073 et – 186.82 mph (**WINNER**)
It looked like Clanton may have peddled it one, but pulls away to take the win…
(L) Frankie Taylor – 3.967 et – 172.34 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Dwayne Watkins – 4.098 et – 181.37 mph
Frankie put a pretty good bulb on Watkins & stayed in it even though he was near the wall…
(L) Noel Felton – 4.419 et – 141.08 mph
(R) Josh Hernandez – 3.891 et – 192.37 mph (**WINNER**)
Josh lead this one from wire to wire to move on to round #2…
(L) Wes Johnston – broke
(R) Bob Mandell – 4.143 et – 172.38 mph (**WINNER**)
Johnston kicked the rods out last night and could not make the call… Mandell has the competition bye & takes an easy ride to the stripe…
June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Partial Results
(7:04 pm) In the second pair down, Bubba Stanton damaged a rear end & oiled the track which was a pretty lengthy cleanup... Two runs later, Brian Daniels oiled the same lane on his burnout...
The bright side is that Jason Scruggs put the Stratus in the 80's at 200 mph!!! Here are partial results during the current cleanup.
(L) Brandon Snider – 5.847 et – 81.67 mph
(R) Travis Swearingen – 4.204 et – 166.10 mph(**WINNER**)
Travis was dead late, Snider got crossed up first, then Travis got loose himself & did a whale of a driving job to hang on to it…
(L) Hugh Scott – 4.975 et – 105.67 mph
(R) Bubba Stanton – 4.088 et – 186.82 mph (**WINNER**)
Hugh shook right off the line… Stanton was all over his lane but gets the win… Word is that Stanton put some oil down, so we will be down a few minutes…
(L) Ray Commisso – broke
(R) Alex Hossler – 4.026 et – 182.79 mph (**WINNER**)
Of course Commisso could not make the call due to the incident early today… Hossler gets the single & is making some killer passes with the automatic!!
(L) Jason Scruggs – 3.838 et – 200.89 mph(**WINNER**)
(R) Brian Daniels – broke
Daniels broke something on the burnout & oiled the right lane… HE was shut off & Scruggs got the single, this time right down the center of the lane to HUGE mph!!!
June 7, 2008
8 Cars in Extreme 10.5
Just a quick note regarding the Extreme 10.5 class, due to the short field it will be an 8 car eliminator this evening. Round #1 will take place with Round #2 of the other eliminators.
June 7, 2008
Pro Nitrous Eliminations Round #1
(6:30 pm)
(L) Randy Weatherford – 6.020 et – 40.87 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Brad Personett – 7.494 et – 61.90 mph
HUGE shake for both guys & Personett may have broke something as Weatherford slapped the throttle to get the win…
(L) Harold Martin – 4.110 et – 179.43 mph
(R) Dennis Radford – 4.063 et – 182.21 mph (**WINNER**)
Martin improves, but not enough to handle the Cuda…
(L) Jim Halsey – 4.041 et – 182.93 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Keith Baker – 4.097 et – 180.53 mph
Baker was out on Halsey nearly the entire way, but it looks like he ate some pistons right in the lights & Halsey goes around him…
(L) Greg Godwin – 4.016 et – 183.68 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Pat Moore – 4.084 et – 178.64 mph
Awesome side by side race here, Godwin squeezing out the victory...
(L) Thomas Myers – 3.983 et – 186,54 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Jamie Hancock – 4.124 et – 181.48 mph
The kid leaves first, but Slick drives around him to make a killer run!!!
(L) Stan Allen – 4.113 et – 181.44 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Doug Reisterer – 4.064 et – 177.17 mph
Reisterer flickered the stage bulb & it cost him as he was dead late with a .210 light & Allen steals the holeshot win!!
(L) Shannon Jenkins – 4.136 et – 148.94 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Johnny Pilcher – 4.031 et – 184.51 mph
Unreal, Pilcher went -.014 red & gave away the round win…
(L) Edmund Hall – 4.594 et – 125.71 mph
(R) Billy Harper – 3.961 et – 185.85 mph (**WINNER**)
Harper & the Viper are just in their own timezone this weekend…
June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Eliminations Round #1
(6:10 pm)
(L) Charlie Prophit – 4.406 et – 160.73 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Tom Acres – 4.554 et – 154.43 mph
These guys leave dead even & Prophit pulls away to take the win…
(L) Scott Gray – 4.397 et – 168.45 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Ron Clark – 4.417 et – 160.17 mph
Gray left first & pulled away at every increment…
(L) Jeff Lindeman – 4.671 et – 150.51 mph
(R) Billy Vose – 4.448 et – 160.11 mph mph (**WINNER**)
Vose leaves the line first & runs away with this one…
(L) Darian Guillory – 4.389 et – 164.29 mph
(R) Monte Campbell – 4.393 et – 161.20 mph (**WINNER**)
Campbell with an .066 light and the holeshot win!!
(L) Matt Prophit – 4.318 et – 166.11 mph (**WINNER**)
(R) Artavious McArthur – N/T
Wow, McArthur gets totally crossed up crossing the centerline… I don’t know how he didn’t lay it down!!!
(L) Les Stimac - broke
(R) TT Jones – 4.519 et – 135.15 mph (**WINNER**)
Stimac was a no show for this round giving Jones the single & he clicked it early…
(L) Coodee Thomas – broke
(R) Mimmo Marciano – 4.330 et – 166.59 mph (**WINNER**)
Lots of carnage in the bike class… Thomas could not make the call…
(L) Tommy Campbell – broke
(R) Jack Young – 5.878 et – 124.32 mph (**WINNER**)
Again, Young gets a single into the second round…
June 7, 2008
Let The Games Begin
(5:46 pm) The bikes are firing now, we are underway for eliminations...
June 7, 2008
Eliminations To Follow
(5:09 pm) Qualifying is complete, we will take a quick break and move straight into eliminations.
June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Final Qualifying Order
Michigan racer Brian Robbins arrived at the track early this morning and placed his crowd-favorite '72 Olds Cutlass 12th in the PX field. (ADRL/Tocher photo)
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June 7, 2008
Pro Nitrous Final Qualifying Order
After suffering traction problems in his first two qualifying attempts, reigning Pro Nitrous champion Jamie Hancock stepped up in the third and final session to place 13th for eliminations. (ADRL/Tocher photo)
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June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Final Qualifying
(4:52 pm)
(L) Jason Scruggs – 7.955 et – 55.69 mph
(R) Travis Swearingen – 3.885 et – 188.30 mph
Scruggs rattles the tires again right off the starting line… Travis makes a killer run to jump up to the #2 spot!!
(L) Brian Robbins – 6.347 et – 87.71 mph
(R) Brandon Snider – 4.508 et – 120.69 mph
Robbins rattles at the hit… Snider was on a good hit, but went to the centerline & had to lift again…
(L) Bubba Stanton – 3.890 et – 194.03 mph
(R) Alex Hossler – 4.100 et – 171.84 mph
Bubba is making huge power, he had ONLY a 1 flat 60’, but ran another huge speed…
(L) Hugh Scott – 6.396 et – 71.29 mph
(R) Josh Hernandez – 8.271 et – 71.29 mph
Both drivers immediately overpowered the racetrack…
(L) Frankie Taylor – 4.210 et – 181.44 mph
(R) Dwayne Watkins – 3.928 et – 189.01 mph
HUGE run for Watkins, jumping all the way to the #4 spot!! Awesome pass…
(L) Bob Mandell – 7.497 et – 71.53 mph
(R) Brian Daniels – 4.013 et – 188.27 mph
Mandell with big shake in the Lowmad to close out qualifying…
June 7, 2008
Pro Nitrous Final Qualifying
(4:36 pm)
(L) Blake Housley – 5.018 et – 149.62 mph
(R) Dave Roemer – 4.310 et – 155.72 mph
Housley with big time shake off the line… Roemer got loose on the top end…
(L) Thomas Myers – 4.028 et – 182.92 mph
(R) Burton Auxier – 4.695 et – ??? mph
Burton shakes again & will not make the field… Myers makes a great run to jump up the #4 spot…
(L) Steve Vick – 4.548 et – 169.03 mph
(R) Pat Moore – 4.124 et – 178.50 mph
Vick shakes & will not make the field… Moore makes a great pass in the heat & gets off the bump, up to the #11 spot for now…
(L) Randy Weatherford – 4.738 et – 112.44 mph
(R) Jarod Wenrick – 4.579 et – 118.06 mph
Both guys shake & head to the centerline…
(L) John Deflorian – 4.172 et – 175.90 mph
(R) Ryan Hargett – 4.176 et – 173.02 mph
Wow, great side by side pass… Both guys were outside the field & both bumped their way into the #15 & #16 spot for now.
(L) Johnny Pilcher – 4.179 et – 179.24 mph
(R) Shannon Jenkins – 5.120 et – 98.19 mph
The track is a little greasy right now, lots of tire spin off the line… Jenkins clicked early, couldn’t see nay problems from here…
(L) Ray Shuler – 4.190 et – 173.68 mph
(R) Jamie Hancock – 4.130 et – 178.39 mph
Clutch run by the kid Hancock who was outside the field, jumping up to the #12 spot… Shuler will not make the field…
(L) Keith Baker – 7.278 et – 64.91 mph
(R) Doug Reisterer – 4.074 et – 179.76 mph
Baker shakes & gets very crossed up… Reisterer makes another nice pass..
(L) Edmund Hall – 4.144 et - 175.73 mph
(R) Brad Personett – 7.456 et – 63.30 mph
Just like Valdosta, Edmund has a bracket car this weekend… Personett shook the tires big time…
(L) Jim Halsey – 4.073 et – 182.92 mph
(R) Billy Harper – 3.993 et – 185.21 mph
Harper is breaking their backs again this weekend… Every pass in the 3 second zone…
(L) Greg Godwin – 4.034 et – 181.43 mph
(R) Dennis Radford – 4.066 et – 181.33 mph
Godwin finds his way into the field on his last shot with a fine pass in the heat of the day… Radford was no slouch himself…
(L) Stan Allen – 4.134 et – 172.34 mph
(R) Tim Savell – 6.860 et – 55.62 mph
Savell had the tires hiked up & then something breaks… Word is the rearend broke… Meanwhile Allen fights his way into the field at the #14 spot, bumping out Dave Roemer…
(L)
(R) Harold Martin – 4.148 et – 173.65 mph
Martin drifts to the wall, stays in it, but that may have been just enough to keep him out of the field, missing by 4 thousands…
June 7, 2008
Extreme 10.5 Final Qualifying Order
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By just 9-ten-thousandths of a second, Billy Glidden finished runner-up to Michelle Wilson in Extreme 10.5 qualifying. (ADRL/Tocher photo)
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June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Final Qualifying Order
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June 7, 2008
Extreme 10.5 Final Qualifying
(3:45 pm)
(L) Brent Rau – 7.699 et – 60.95 mph
(R) Steve Gorman – 11.114 et – 44.95 mph
Troubles for both guys, no improvement…
(L) Todd Moyer – 5.207 et – 133.14 mph
(R) Billy Glidden – 4.645 et – 122.94 mph
Moyer blows the tires off… Glidden was on another good pass, a 1.02 60’, but drifted to the wall & had to lift…
(L) Jerry Bird – 4.751 et – 133.88 mph
(R) Alex Viscardi – 4.492 et – 144.85 mph
Boom Boom carried the wheels to about 400ft, eventually taking out the top end cones, so both these runs will be tossed….
(L)
(R) Gary White – 4.690 et – 167.28 mph
The Titan team switched Toyotas for this round… He smoked the tires at the hit, peddled & rocketed at the backdoor!! Look at the mph!!
(L)
(R) Bob Mandell III – 7.483 et – 94.06 mph
Mandell blows the tires off at the hit & coasts to the stripe…
June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Final Qualifying
(3:29 pm)
(L) Scott Gray – 4.439 et – 166.06 mph
(R) Dan McCarten – 5.217 et – 137.18 mph
Gray rides the centerline all the way to the stripe… McCarten cannot improve & will not make the show…
(L) TT Jones – 4.416 et – 163.67 mph
(R) Matt Prophit – 4.323 et – 172.25 mph
Nice side by side pass here & Prophit takes top speed away again!!!
(L) Artavious McArthur – 7.258 et – 57.90 mph
(R) Les Stimac – 4.637 et – 147.09 mph
Both guys have problems, Stimac with a ton of death smoke at the top end….
(L) Tommy Campbell – 4.852 et – 154.68 mph
(R) Charlie Prophit – 4.677 et – 122.56 mph
Prophit was on a very nice pass but had problems on the big end…
(L) Billy Vose – 4.387 et – 164.72 mph
(R) Ron Acres – 4.562 et – 154.17 mph
Vose was looking to back up a new speed record, but gets loose & had to muscle the bike back in the groove…
(L) Jeff Lindeman – 4.675 et – 148.96 mph
(R) Ron Clark – 4.466 et – 158.95 mph
With the heat, everyone is a little off the pace, no improvement for either driver here…
(L) Darian Guillory – 4.377 et – 164.12 mph
(R) Monte Campbell – 4.501 et – 158.87 mph
Some improvement for Cambell, no help for Guillory…
June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Qualifying Round #2
(3:08 pm)
(L) Travis Swearingen – N/T
(R) Jason Scruggs – 5.462 et – 86.92 mph
Travis leaves before the tree comes down & does not get a time… Scruggs goes out with a .990 60’ but gets real loose about 100ft out & has to lift…
(L) Brandon Snider – 4.757 et – 111.13 mph
(R) Bubba Stanton – 6.929 et – 67.55 mph
Stanton jumped right up on the tires & lifted… Snider got a little further out & got WAY crossed up himself…
(L) Dwayne Watkins – 4.013 et – 186.74 mph
(R) Brian Robbins – 4.089 et – 177.97 mph
Robbins is here in the awesome Olds… And he makes a very impressive run to get in the show!! COOL car….
(L) Ray Commisso – 4.544 et – 114.82 mph
(R) Hugh Scott – 5.948 et – 69.63 mph
Hugh went to the centerline & has to lift… Commisso got out about 100ft & shook the tires & drifted towards the wall, then he made a hard move to the right, up on two wheels then that shot him hard into the left wall. The car then spun around and backed into the wall again, finally coming to a stop at the ¼ mile mark. Commisso is out of the car & ok…
(L) Brian Daniels – 4.075 et – 185.39 mph
(R) Frankie Taylor – 4.567 et – 144.72 mph
Frankie was on a good pass with a .982 60’ had had problems down track & had to click it early… Daniels made a clean run to go to the #10 spot…
(L) Bil Clanton – 3.957 et – 190.91 mph
(R) Josh Hernandez – 4.108 et – 150.47 mph
Clanton makes another great pass to stay in the #4 spot… Josh had a .967 60’, but had to click it just a touch early…
(L) Noel Felton – 4.255 et – 173.00 mph
(R) Bob Mandell – 3.990 et – 184.57 mph
Felton is in a NOS late model camaro, jumping over to Pro Extreme to fill out the field… Mandell takes the Lowmad in the 3’s & up to the #7 spot!!
(L) Alex Hossler – 8.830 et – 64.30 mph
(R)
Hossler with big time shake right at the hit of the throttle…
June 7, 2008
Ray Commisso OK after Qualifying Crash
(2:30 pm) Ray Commisso is OK following a scary incident in the 4th pair of cars in the Qualifying Round #2. Ray got out about 100ft & shook the tires & drifted towards the wall. He then made a hard move to the right, up on two wheels then that shot him hard into the left wall. The car then spun around and backed into the wall again, finally coming to a stop at the ¼ mile mark.
Ray is out of the car under his own power & is OK. He has been checked out, vitals are good & he only has a sore elbow. (ADRL/Richards photos)
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June 7, 2008
Pro Nitrous Qualifying Round #2
(2:11 pm)
(L) Pat Moore – 4.258 et – 173.68 mph
(R) Thomas Myers – 4.180 et – 178.05 mph
Both guys drove through just a bit of shake…
(L) Billy Harper – 3.967 et – 185.19 mph
(R) Burton Auxier – 7.350 et – 68.73 mph
Burton with big time shake… Meanwhile Harper with a .997 60’ & straight down the groove to another 3 second pass…
(L) Ryan Hargett – 5.551 et – 96.54 mph
(R) Terry Housley – 9.631 et – 44.42 mph
Side by side tire shake again…
(L) Dave Roemer – 4.281 et – 150.58 mph
(R) Dennis Radford – 4.101 et – 179.78 mph
Roemer spun the tires hard off the line… Radford makes a very nice run…
(L) Jamie Hancock – N/T
(R) Randy Weatherford – 4.087 et – 179.31 mph
Hancock had to be shutoff after the burnout due to leakage… Weatherford made a clean run to jump into the #5 spot… Jamie is down to his last shot to get in this field…
(L) Brad Personett – 4.921 et – 106.68 mph
(R) Johnny Pilcher – 4.139 et – 178.68 mph
Pilcher makes a clean run to jump into the show… Meanwhile Personett had the front end hiked up, drifted toward the wall, started shaking & made a hard move to the centerline… Brad did an awesome job, fighting it back & forth & getting the chutes out !!! He took out the finishline cones so we will be down just a minute…. Wow!!
(L) Shannon Jenkins – 3.953 et – ??? mph
(R) John Deflorian – 4.384 et – 164.06 mph
Jenkins with a .969 60’ & a booming et!! No mph on that pass as the cones must have still been out in that lane…
(L) Jared Wenrick – 4.136 et – 178.01 mph
(R) Greg Godwin – 4.359 et – 170.98 mph
Wenrick has the the Procharger ride working very well this weekend…
(L)
(R) Keith Baker – 4.110 et – 180-.86 mph
A smooth run by Baker, dancing the front end to halftrack… Apparently Baker hurt some parts as he layed oil down & we have a pretty lengthy delay…
(L) Doug Resisterer – 4.249 et – 134.71 mph
(R) Ray Shuler – 4.662 et – 146.19 mph
Doug was on a lap with a .991 60’, but ran into trouble on the top end & had to click it early…
(L) Tim Savell – 4.189 et – 172.51 mph
(R) Steve Vick – 4.393 et – 166.86 mph
Vick just missed getting in the show, he will have one more shot…
(L)
(R) Edmund Hall – 4.166 et – 175.82 mph
Mr. 5 Speed made the tow to Michigan & he goes right in to the #12 spot!!!
(L) Harold Martin – 6.858 et – 80.64 mph
(R) Jim Halsey – 4.112 et – 182.84 mph
Martin shakes & will have to wait for the final session… Halsey makes another clean pass…
(L)
(R) Stan Allen – 4.230 et – 160.10 mph
Allen used up a lot of the lane to get in the show for now…
June 7, 2008
Minor Delays
(1:37 pm) Be patient as we have had several minor delays in the Pro Nitrous session, there are 3 pair remaining... Full results as soon as possible.
June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Qualifying Round #2 Order
June 7, 2008
Extreme 10.5 Qualifying Round #2
(12:45 pm)
(L) Billy Glidden – 4.329 et – 164.25 mph
(R) Todd Moyer – 4.961 et – 146.63 mph
Glidden is just amazing!! You show hear him rowing thru the gears on the Liberty transmission, just amazing!!!
(L) Bob Mandell – 4.575 et – 155.09 mph
(R) HT Wilson – 4.731 et – 153.14 mph
Young Bob is in the ride today, for the first time on 10.5’s & makes a pretty clean run…
(L) Brent Rau – 4.726 et – 152.06 mph
(R) Jerry Bird – 5.031 et – 154.08 mph
Rau with an amazing run with the little 122 ci single turbo!!! The block & cylinder head is a factory casting…
(L) Alex Viscadi – 5.150 et – 158.84 mph
(R)
Boom Boom carried the front end way up in the air to about 100ft & had to peddle as he was headed towards the wall…
(L) Steve Gorman – 4.443 et – 163.07 mph
(R)
Great pass by Gorman here to slide into the #2 spot…
(L) Michelle Wilson – 4.329 et – 169.91 mph
(R)
Wilson rolled into the beams & we lost the tree… She was pushed back for just a moment & fired right back up… And it didn’t bother her a bit as she went right to the top of the heap!!!
June 7, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Qualifying Round #2
(12:32 pm)
(L) Charlie Prophit – 4.368 et – 164.29 mph
(R)
Prophit opens the show with a straight as a string pass…
(L) Jack Young – 4.328 et – 164.12 mph
(R) Tommy Campbell – 4.680 et – 154.72 mph
Young makes a nice pass in the left lane, then crosses the centerline right in front of Campbell in the shutdown, taking out a cone… Looked scary from here…
(L) Monte Campbell – 5.182 et – 148.48 mph
(R) Jeff Lindeman – 4.711 et – 149.91 mph
Both guys have problems getting down the racetrack…
(L) Matt Prophit – 4.302 et – 167.18 mph
(R) Scott Gray – 4.646 et – 163.46 mph
Gray was dancing the front wheel all the way down the lane, meanwhile Prophit went straight to the #1 spot!!.
(L) Ron Clark – 4.499 et – 154.61 mph
(R) Darian Guillory – 4.372 et – 162.46 mph
Good side by side pass here as Clark jumps into the show…
(L) Les Stimac – 4.492 et – 161.29 mph
(R) TT Jones – 4.441 et – 161.17 mph
Another set of clean passes, however Jones may have hirt some parts on the top end…
(L) Coodee Thomas – 4.869 et – 117.16 mph
(R) Artavious McArthur – N/T
McArthur broke on the burnout… Thomas sounded like he went from 1st to 3rd, the motor laying over at the gear change…
(L) Dan McCarten – 6.754 et – 66.93 mph
(R) Billy Vose – 4.364 et – 169.92 mph
Vose goes BIG mph, bettering the current national record… We’ll see if he can back it up!!
(L) Tom Acres – 4.699 et – 151.00 mph
(R) Mimmo Marciano – 4.298 et – 171.73 mph
And Marciano goes one better on the MPH!!! Wow, huge speed in the heat!!!
June 7, 2008
Let The Games Begin
(12:00 pm) Bikes are in the lanes & XTF is on the way. We should be running shortly.
June 7, 2008
Getting Ready For Action
(11:12 am) Good morning from US131, the skies are beautiful right now, the track is being groomed & competitors are getting their rides ready for battle. Qualifying will open at appox 12:00pm beginning with Pro Extreme Motorcycle.
June 6, 2008
Summer Drags day 1 comes to a close
That will do it for today, but sure & check us out throughout the day tomorrow as the action will be non-stop. Qualifying will resume at 12:00pm with the bikes hitting the track. Thanks for viewing!
June 6, 2008
Pro Extreme Qualifying Round #1 Order
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June 6, 2008
Pro Nitrous Qualifying Round #1 Order
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June 6, 2008
Extreme 10.5 Qualifying Round #1 Order
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June 6, 2008
Wenrick’s 2nd Chance
(11:52 pm) Jarod Wenrick was offered the opportunity to re-run at the end of the Pro Extreme session due to timing system issues during Pro Nitrous qualifying. The opportunity paid off, with Wenrick running a 4.105 E.T. at 179.96 mph in his Procharger-equipped Camaro.
June 6, 2008
Pro Extreme Qualifying Round #1
(11:50 pm)
(L) Hugh Scott – 4.534 et – 118.44 mph
(R) Alex Hossler – 4.059 et – 177.17 mph
Hossler in the converter car makes a very nice pass, straight & smooth!! Hugh looked like he was on a good run, but lifted… Not sure what happened.
(L) Wes Johnston – 4.003 et – 191.54 mph
(R) Dwayne Watkins – 4.673 et – 116.84 mph
Watkins used up all the lane & had to lift… Johnston had a lazy 1.067 60’, but man did he take it out the backdoor with 190+ speed!!
(L) Josh Hernandez – 3.899 et – 192.36 mph
(R) Brandon Snider – 5.828 et – 82.26 mph
Snider shook the tires & got crossed up… Meanwhile Josh was long gone for low et of the meet!!
(L) Bubba Stanton – 3.805 et – 196.59 mph
(R) Travis Swearingen – 3.917 et – 189.93 mph
KILLER side by side run here!!!! Bubba had a .967 60’ & huge MPH!!! Travis made a fine run himself…
(L) Jason Scruggs – 3.988 et – 190.83 mph
(R) Ray Commisso – 3.969 et – 188.10 mph
Commisso with a very nice run in legal trim... Jason was all over the lane on the big end but stayed with it to make a nice lap in the Stratus…
(L) Bob Mandell – 5.520 et – 80.46 mph
(R) Brian Daniels – N/T
Huge shake for Daniels & he coasts to a stop about 100ft out. Mandell was on a good hit but ran into shake of his own…
(L) Frankie Taylor – 5.308 et – 93.71 mph
(R) Bil Clanton – 3.955 et – 189.81 mph
Frankie shook the tires… Clanton is just amazing… Afgter crashing at Orangeburg just a few weeks ago, he & Ralph patched the car back up & on its first pass goes right down the lane & into the 3’s!!!
June 6, 2008
Pro Nitrous Qualifying Round #1
(11:06 pm)
(L) Dennis Radford – 7.089 et – 75.00 mph
(R) Shannon Jenkins – 5.877 et – 82.09 mph
Side by side shake from drivers… The track is giving everyone troubles right now…
(L) Blake Housley – 11.150 et – 37.41 mph
(R) Brad Personett – 4.081 et – 186.01 mph
Personett decided to compete in Pro Nitrous this weekend... And he unloads an awesome pass for a turbo ride!!!
(L) Randy Weatherford – 5.764 et – 83.05 mph
(R) Jarod Wenrick – N/T
Weatherford gets near the wall & had to lift… Wenrick’s incrementals & et were not consistent, so he will get no time…
(L) Ray Shuler – 4.954 et – 101.79 mph
(R) Dave Roemer – 4.158 et – 175.17 mph
Roemer was a little soft at the hit, but makes a pretty nice pass...
(L) Burton Auxier – 4.753 et – 162.43 mph
(R) Jamie Hancock – N/T
Burton shakes the tires… Hancock slapped the peddle & rides it out, but his incrementals & et were also obviously in error… There is an issue with the right lane timing system.
(L) Thomas Myers – 5.801 et – 84.43 mph
(R) Ryan Hargett – 5.523 et – 98.92 mph
Shake in both lanes…
(L) Steve Vick – 6.024 et – 95.78 mph
(R) Billy Harper – 3.940 et – 186.71 mph
Harper shows the way after lots of other guys had problems, drifting a bit towards the centerline, flames shooting out the pipes!!! He had a .985 short time!!
(L) John Deflorian – 4.472 et – 129.35 mph
(R) Pat Moore – 6.988 et – 65.23 mph
Deflorian was on a nice lap, but got loose on the big end & had to lift early…
(L) Keith Baker – 5.855 et – 81.79 mph
(R) Doug Reisterer – 4.000 et – 179.96 mph
Reisterer is really smoking now, he knows he has a hurt ring & will be working tonight I suspect… And again a .991 60’ & a great pass!!
(L) Stan Allen – 3.998 et – 176.25 mph
(R) Harold Martin – 4.774 et – 111.39 mph
Allen appeared to make a great pass, but he had a .619 r/t & .914 60’… So I’m sure that run will be under review…
(L) Johnny Pilcher – 6.258 et – 94.71 mph
(R) Tim Savell – 4.284 et – 141.06 mph
Both drivers head to the centerline, Savell a little further downtrack & stays with it…
(L) Greg Godwin – 5.636 et – 86.40 mph
(R)
Godwin went out & shook at the gear change, causing him to click it early…
(L) Jim Halsey – 4.045 et – 183.73 mph
(R)
Halsey with a 1 flat 60’ & a nice pass to close out the session…
June 6, 2008
Pro Nitrous Qualifying Round #1
(10:41 pm) Slight delay, timing issues due to moisture in the timing system. The Pro Nitrous results will follow shortly...
June 6, 2008
Extreme 10.5 Qualifying Round #1
(10:08 pm)
(L) Jerry Bird – 6.296 et – 98.21 mph
(R) Michelle Wilson – 4.852 et – 112.01 mph
Bird gets VERY crossed up & has to lift… Didn’t see any problems with Wilson, maybe some shake…
(L) Todd Moyer – 5.047 et – 118.49 mph
(R) Alex Viscardi – 9.416 et – 77.06 mph
Viscardi got crossed up right at the hit & had to lift… Moyer rode the left hand wall, but did not lift...
(L) HT Wilson – 4.875 et – 150.99 mph
(R) Brent Rau – 4.968 et – 151.38 mph
Rau is in a Eclipse with a 122 cubic inch factory casting motor with a single turbo!!
(L)
(R) Billy Glidden – 5.135 et – 100.87 mph
Glidden is rowing the gears on the Liberty, but gets close to the wall & has to lift...
(L) Gary White – N/T
(R) Steve Gorman – 8.595 et – 54.47 mph
Gorman with huge tireshake right at the hit… White barely moved & lost fire…
June 6, 2008
Ready For Action
(9:54 pm) Ok, the lanes are ready & XTF is in the water... Back to action we go...
June 6, 2008
Drying Process is Progressing
(9:25 pm) The drying process is going well, Extreme 10.5 & Pro Nitrous remained in the lanes. We are still probably 15-20 minutes away from going back to action.
June 6, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Qualifying Round #1 Order
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June 6, 2008
Rain Delay…. Again….
(8:55 pm) Just as the last pair of motorcycles cleared the top end, a light rain begin to fall. It lasted just a few minutes, but it is certainly enough to wet the track pretty well. We will be down for awhile as track drying is now underway.
June 6, 2008
Pro Extreme Motorcycle Qualifying Round #1
(8:45 pm)
(L) Scott Gray – 4.581 et – 161.28 mph
(R) Charlie Prophit – 4.332 et – 168.41 mph
Prophit opens the show with an awesome pass…
(L) Artavious McArthur – 4.717 et – 135.51 mph
(R) Monte Campbell – 4.844 et – 146.17 mph
McArthur was all over the wall in the left lane, I don’t know how he kept it off…
(L) Tommy Campbell – 4.621 et – 148.16 mph
(R) Matt Prophit – 4.314 et – 165.86 mph
Prophit with a killer run to go the #1 spot!!! Prophits are 1 & 2!!
(L) Billy Vose – 4.314 et – 168.13 mph
(R) Les Stimac – 5.697 et – 124.60 mph
Vose barely misses the #1 , jumping to #2 in between the family members…
(L) TT Jones – 4.435 et – 162.89 mph
(R) Coodee Thomas – 6.613 et – 96.70 mph
Thomas has problems & has to lift. Jones with a clean pass, but a little off the pace.
(L) Jeff Lindeman – 4.717 et – 147.99 mph
(R)
A clean pass, no apparent problems…
(L) Darian Guillory – 4.340 et – 163.08 mph
(R)
Guillory makes a nice pass, jumping into the #4 spot…
(L) Mimmo Marciano – 4.350 et – 163.68 mph
(R)
Marciano makes a good pass, then crosses the centerline, bowling over some cones at 1000ft… No problems though as it was past the finishline..
June 6, 2008
We are underway!!!
(8:17 pm) Juniors are fired!! Remember results immediately following the final pair of each class...
June 6, 2008
Qualifying Is Near
(8:01 pm) Ok, final spray is going on the track and juniors are in the water. We will open with Pro Extreme Motorcycle followed by Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous & finally Pro Extreme. Pre-race ceremonies are about to get underway & we should have on-track action in just a few minutes.
June 6, 2008
Making Progress
(7:14 pm) The driver's meeting is on-going & the track is nearly dry. We should be real close to our target 8:00 pm start time.
June 6, 2008
Track Drying Is Underway
(6:23 pm) Track drying in underway, and the sun is peeking out. Again the plan is to be ready around 8:00 pm. If anything changes I will let you know when official word goes out.
June 6, 2008
It’s Getting Better
(5:48 pm) The sprinkles are coming to an end & looking at the radar, we appear to hopefully be in the clear for the duration of the evening. As soon as the sprinkles cease, drying activities will commence. We hope to get everything ready for our normal 8:00 pm start time.
June 6, 2008
Holding Pattern
(4:50 pm) Well, as the track was beginning to air out, it has begun to rain again. It looks like we are just on the edge of another front, so we will wait it out & see how it goes.
June 6, 2008
Scruggs & The Stratus
Jason Scruggs hit the track with the Stratus before the rains came, carding a .983 60' then going into shake & lifting. (ADRL/Richards photo)
June 6, 2008
Down For Showers….
(3:50 pm) The unavoidable has finally happened, the pending storms have reached us and it raining. Watching the radar, it appears that this may last for awhile, but will clear out later on this evening. The hope is that this stuff will clear out & we can get everything dried, groomed & ready for the qualifying session at 8:00 pm.
I'll give some periodic updates, but obviously we will be down for awhile.
June 6, 2008
Doug Riesterer!!!
(3:34 pm) Doug Riesterer catches lots of attention pumping out tons of smoke on the left side of the motor... Then he again proves never to doubt the Eagle, running 3.976 @ 182.84 mph!! (ADRL/Tocher photo)
June 6, 2008
Additional Testing Info
(3:30 pm) Alex Hossler just had an entertaining trip, carding a 4.143 @ 175.79, but the throttle was open for a long time, and no chutes... He did a great job of getting it shut down and keeping it out of the sandtrap...
Billy Glidden (above) made a straight pass on the skinnies, 4.36 @ 163 mph. (ADRL/Tocher photo)
Bubba Stanton went out about 100ft & drove through some killer shake & drove out the backdoor with a 4.024 @ a booming 190.60 on that pass.
Jim Halsey with a clean 4.081 @ 182.91 mph.
Both Wes Johnston & Bob Mandell ran into tire shake.
Killer side-by-side pass as Greg Godwin goes 4.035 @ 182.17 in the left lane while Shannon Jenkins parlayed a .991 60' into a 4.029 @ 183.70!!
June 6, 2008
Some Testing Photos
(3:08 pm) Here are a few shots from today's session thus far.
Brad Personett & Ed Marx are in the house with their gorgeous twin-turbo Pro Nitrous entry.
Todd Tutterow getting Randy Weatherford ready for the next hit.
Dave Roemer is back in action with his latest Gladiator entry.
June 6, 2008
Some Test Numbers
(1:42 pm) Competitiors are hitting the lanes fast & furious now... Runs of interest to this point...
Dennis Radford was first out of the gate with huge tire shake, backed it up & took another shot with the same result.
Ray Commisso appeared to spin the tires pretty hard & clicked it.
Travis Swearingen has a new bullet in the Willys this weekend & its sounds mean!!! He peddled twice & still ran a 4.076 @ only 164.27.
Burton Auxier, Jamie Hancock, Dave Roemer all had either shake or spin problems.
Shannon Jenkins (above) carded a .985 60' then shook & clicked it about 300 feet.
Keith Baker ran a loose 4.209 @ 177.16.
Randy Weatherford was leaking after the burnout & had to be shutoff.
Brad Personnett in the big turbo entry just blew the tires off at the hit.
Jarod Wenrick in the Procharger ride was lazy at the hit but picked it up to a 4.255 @ 177.58.
Two nice runs here as Slick runs a 4.068 @ 183.75 & Billy Harper made a killer 4.009 @ 183.11!!
June 6, 2008
Testing is Underway!
And the honor of making the very first ADRL lap at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at U.S. 131 goes to ... Dennis Radford in his Pro Nitrous '70 AAR Cuda. Radford shook hard on the launch, backed up and tried again, and shook hard again before coasting to the finish line. More to come ... (ADRL/Tocher photo)
June 6, 2008
Someone Has to be First…
(1:30 pm) As is typical, no one wants to be the first one out... Lanes are open, someone will bite the bullet soon, then everyone will follow!! I'm headed down for some photos, so keep in mind it will be a little while before we have any numbers.
June 6, 2008
Let the Games Begin!!!
(12:47 pm) The track is groomed, sprayed & ready for action. The call has just been made for Professional Testing to begin. Remember we will provide periodic updates & photos throughout the test session to keep everyone informed of the progress.
June 6, 2008
Billy Glidden Ready for Battle
Not something you see everyday, a nitrous assisted small block Ford in a Pontiac Pro Stocker. Glidden does in fact have the combo out of his legendary Mustang in the GTO with the 10.5's. This should be something to watch!
June 6, 2008
Commisso at Martin
Ray Commisso & Al Billes are in the house with the SteelBack G-Force Camaro. This should be fun!!
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June 6, 2008
Good Morning Race Fans
(11:08 am) Good morning from beautiful Knoll Gas Motorsports Park. The facility welcomes racers from all over the country this weekend for the Pizza Hut Summer Drags. Its sunny, a bit windy & on the warm side right now. Racers are getting their equipment prepared for battle & rigs are still comng in the gates.
As typical for ADRL events, the lanes will open at 1:00pm for open testing until 7:00pm with Qualifying Round #1 scheduled for 8:00pm.
Stay tuned right here all weekend for the latest action.
June 4, 2008
ADRL Heads North to Western Michigan
Drag racing fans in Western Michigan are in for a rare treat June 6-7, as the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL) presented by the National Guard visits Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at U.S. 131 in Martin, Michigan for the first time with its 4th annual ADRL Pizza Hut Summer Drags. The ADRL features racers from across the country in four professional classes—Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Extreme 10.5 and Pro Extreme Motorcycle—competing in thrilling eighth-mile, head-to-head action.
With most ADRL racers never having competed before in Michigan, this will be the introduction of a new kind of drag racing to the region. ADRL competition is an all-pro-show with no filler classes, which translates to a quick-paced and entertaining day of drag racing. The stars of the ADRL are friendly, approachable and eager to visit with fans and pit access is included with all event tickets, which incidentally, are provided to the Western Michigan community almost entirely free of charge thanks to ADRL sponsors Pizza Hut, Flowmaster and the National Guard.
On the track, Texas driver Joshua Hernandez (above left) will be looking to extend his points lead in the supercharged Pro Extreme class after winning both ADRL races contested so far this year. Also certain to be vying for the Martin win will be defending ADRL world champion Jason Scruggs, who at Rockingham, NC, last year became the first doorslammer driver ever to exceed 200 miles per hour over an eighth mile. Scruggs also holds the Pro Extreme elapsed time record of an incredible 3.70 seconds and increased his speed record to an unreal 205.47 mph at the 2008 season opener in Houston.
Other top challengers include 2006 Pro Extreme champ Bubba Stanton, young gun Travis Swearingen, Texas veteran Frankie “Madman” Taylor and Michigan native Bob Mandell, who is featured in the current issue of Adrenaline, official magazine of the ADRL, and available at the Martin event.
Fresh off his career-first ADRL win and lowering the elapsed time record to a brilliant 3.91 seconds last month at Valdosta, Georgia, former Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Billy Harper (right) leads the Pro Nitrous contingent into Michigan. Points leader and Harper teammate Dennis Radford also will pose a threat to win, as will Maryland’s Jim Halsey, who tasted victory at two of the last four ADRL national events.
They will be fending off the likes of 2006 class champ Keith Baker, Shannon “The Iceman” Jenkins and 18-year-old reigning champion Jamie Hancock, who became the youngest driver ever to win a major drag racing world championship last year. Additionally, New Hudson, Michigan’s Harold Martin will pilot the second National Guard entry in Pro Nitrous trim.
ADRL created and debuted its Extreme 10.5 class last season, featuring cars with no powerplant or weight limitations, but running on relatively narrow 10.5-inch-wide rear slicks. After successfully defending his event title in his native Georgia, points leader Mike Hill (left) will be hoping to continue the momentum up north. However, current class champion Steve Gorman, who won at Houston in March, will provide stiff competition alongside new elapsed-time record holder Steve Kirk Jr., Texan Todd Moyer and Michelle Wilson, the only woman competing full-time with the ADRL.
Pro Extreme Motorcycle also was added to the ADRL mix last year, but so far has not seen any repeat winners. Top contenders like inaugural class champion Billy Vose, Georgia winner Coodee Thomas (below right) and Houston winner Ron Procopio certainly hope to change that stat in Michigan. Regardless of the race outcome, these fearless riders on their nitrous-assisted bikes promise to thrill the Martin crowd with wild, side-by-side, wheels-up action.
With ideal-for-racing weather forecast for Western Michigan this weekend, the 4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at U.S. 131 is shaping up to be another record-setting ADRL national event.
(Photos by ADRL/Richards)
June 4, 2008
4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags Fact Sheet
WHAT: The 4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags, the third of nine national events this year for the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL) presented by the National Guard. Includes four eighth-mile drag racing classes: Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme, the quickest and fastest full-bodied, doorslammer class in the world.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, June 6-7, 2008
WHERE: Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at U.S. 131, 1249 12th Street, Martin, MI 49070
SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
THURSDAY, MAY 8: Pit gates open 2 p.m.; event parking for all Pro categories and vendors from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 9: Pit gates open 8 a.m.; event parking, tech inspection and registration for all Pro categories from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Spectator gates open 9 a.m. Pro practice from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pre-Qualifying Ceremonies at 7:45 p.m. Pro Qualifying Round 1 at 8 p.m. Jet Car one run at 10:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 10: Pit gates open 8 a.m.; event parking, final tech inspection and registration for all Pro categories from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Spectator gates open 9 a.m. Pro Qualifying Round 2 at noon. Pro Qualifying Round 3 at 2 p.m. Pro Eliminations Round 1 at 4 p.m. Pre-Race Ceremonies at 6:45 p.m. Pro Eliminations continue at 7 p.m. Jet Car runs at 8:15 p.m. Pro Eliminations continue at 9 p.m. Jet Car runs at 10:15 p.m. Winner's Circle Party from 10:25 p.m. to 11 p.m. Secure Event at 11:30 p.m.
TICKETS: FREE at more than 50 Western Michigan Pizza Hut locations or track box office. FREE general admission both days at track. General parking $10/car. All tickets include pit access and FREE copy of Adrenaline magazine, official publication of the ADRL (while supplies last).
CONTACT: Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at U.S. 131 (269) 672-7800. Media requests contact American Drag Racing League Communications (404) 375-4895 or (636) 272-2375.
September 10-11
