Stemper Doesn’t Win, But Still Enjoys Successful Weekend At MG

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Josh

Although Casey Stemper didn’t go to the Pro Extreme Motorcycle finals for the third straight time at this past weekend’s Northeast Drags II presented by Penske, he didn’t go home empty-handed either.

He began the weekend on Thursday with a radio appearance with 105.7 Rocks in Harrisburg, Pa. The fun continued at the track where Casey and the Innovative Performance Racing team were recognized as Best Appearing Crew. The team also kept up their appearances on track with Casey scoring the number one spot in qualifying with a 4.110 at nearly 171 miles per hour.
In the quarterfinals, however, a shifter malfunction forced him to abort the run, handing the win to Ronald Procopio, who went on to runner-up in PXM.

“We started off having another great race weekend,” told Karne Stemper, Casey’s mother and an integral part of the IPR team. “With our Best Appearing Crew award, the radio appearance and number one qualifier, it’s hard to ask for more. Unfortunately, in the second round of eliminations our shifter got bound up and would not shift out of second gear, but we still feel like we had a very successful weekend. We go into every race focusing on improving our program. We know that we have one of the fastest – if not the fastest – back halves out there in the PXM world, so we are focusing now on getting our short numbers better.
“We had great success accomplishing this task in round two with an impressive 1.01 60-foot time. Are we sad that we weren’t able to go to the finals? Of course, but you can’t predict mechanical difficulties. We are very happy that we tried what we did in round two to improve our 60 foot times and it worked. Now, we will move forward from this point. Terry and William are absolutely fantastic tuners and we couldn’t ask for a better team package. Casey is always on his game and accomplishes what he sets out to do. We couldn’t be happier with our continued success and improvements with our race program and foresee more success in the near future.”

Stemper

Casey Stemper had a positive outlook as well.

“I’m living the dream,” added Casey. “My family and this team are incredible and really make my job of driving easy. It’s disappointing to have your day ended by a mechanical issue, but with the success we’ve had already this year, there’s no way I can complain. Plus, getting the number one qualified spot is always a great accomplishment, but especially in among the competition we have in PXM. I want to say a special thanks to all our fans cheering us on at every race!”

“We are definitely looking forward to the next ADRL event in St. Louis,” continued Karne. “With our tune up success, our motor is living on strong and with the opportunity to have access to many great components our job is that much easier. Special thanks to Bill at Robinson Transmissions for his trans components, Paul Gast for getting parts to us in a hurry. We appreciate all of your support.”

(Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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XPS’ Berner Makes Most Of Shaky Weekend At Maple Grove

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Josh

In an atypical weekend at Maple Grove Raceay as part of the Northeast Drags II presented by Penske, Pete Berner and the Summit Racing Equipment team had fans on the edge of their seats throughout qualifying.
Parts breakage in the first and second sessions left Berner on the outside looking in heading into the final qualifying session. Although not accustomed to the last minute do-or-die situation, Berner performed well under pressure and the team pulled out an incredible 4.079 to be quickest for the round and land themselves in No. 2 for eliminations. However, in round one, Berner found himself with an uncharacteristically late reaction time.
So, despite another 4.07 pass, David Schorr beat Berner to the finish line with a 4.11 elapsed time.

“We finally made a decent run in the last session to get us in the show. Unfortunately, I completely lost my focus in round one and our day ended early,” Berner said. “But, overall, I was happy we learned a little more on the new motor and car combination. We had good friend Dave Braswell [of Braswell Carburetion] with us this weekend. It has been a long

Berner

time since he has been to one of our races. Dave is an integral part of my race program, and I was very glad to have him with us.”

As Berner and team continue to learn the tricks of their new RJ Race Cars Camaro ZL1, manufacturers like Braswell Carburetion, Hoosier Tires and a host of others play an integral part in their success.

“Despite parts breakage plaguing us, the team pulled together and worked hard to make a comeback and get us in the show. I’m really proud of our team and what we can accomplish when in a pressure situation,” Berner said. “Although it’s certainly not a position we want to put ourselves in frequently, it’s nice to know that we can perform well under pressure.
“I believe we are one of the most prepared teams in XPS, but there are always things that pop up that you can’t prepare for, and in those situations, you just have to make the best of things. That’s what we were able to do this weekend by getting in the show.

“I would like to congratulate Dean Goforth on his win. I know Dean has not fully recovered from his illness, and I hope that win is the medicine he needs to make him feel better. He is really someone for us all to look up to.”

(Photo by ADRL/Richards)

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Halsey Hoping For Bigger Pro Nitrous Impact At St. Louis

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Josh

Your agent enjoyed reading an honest opinion from Jim Halsey at Competition Plus regarding the start to his 2012 Pro Nitrous season at Maple Grove.

A busy work schedule kept him from attending the first two races of the 2012 ADRL season, and he wasn’t all that pleased with advancing to the quarterfinals at Maple Grove and running as quick as 3.95.

While he didn’t reveal specific changes, your agent can confirm that Halsey is making some changes to some parts of the car.

From the article:

“It’s performance-based. I thought with some of the things we changed we could get a jump on people,” Halsey said. “It’s always nice to be the first to figure some things out.

“We had a couple issues at Maple Grove and it just wasn’t the 60-foot times we were missing. We had some new parts put on that were good, we just had some problems with it.”

In the article, Halsey talked about the strong 60-foot times he posted the day after Maple Grove, a sign of what he hopes is things to come.

If all goes well, Halsey is expecting a much better showing at the upcoming Gateway Drags IV presented by CarSafe at Gateway Motorsports Park. The event takes place June 1-2 in St. Louis.

Again, from the article:

“I guess it all depends on how we test, but the plan is to go win at St. Louis,” Halsey said.

Check out the entire article by clicking here.

(Photo by ADRL/Richards)

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Great Coverage Of The Northeast Drags II Presented by Penske

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Josh

Your agent was thoroughly impressed with the media turnout at Maple Grove Raceway for the Northeast Drags II presented by Penske.

For the second straight year, they turned out in droves, as evidenced by this awesome picture captured by ADRL photographer Roger Richards.

For more, check out all the links of the outstanding coverage provided at what turned out to be a fantastic weekend.

Competition Plus – Click here to check out all their extensive coverage, which is, as always, second to none.

Drag Race Canada – Lots of great stuff from this website. For their awesome photo gallery, click here.

Dragzine - Some excellent raceday coverage here from the site. Make sure you click here to check it out.

Dragbike - It was awesome to see such thorough coverage from a pair of talented media members from Dragbike. To get their perspective on the event, go here.

Drag Racing Action - The high-quality magazine will have some big coverage in their next issue. For now, check out their photo gallery from the event.

Drag Racing Online - To read up on their race report, click here.

BangShift.com - Check out their massive photo gallery by clicking here.

(Photo by ADRL/Richards)

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Did You Miss The Latest “ADRL Drag Racing Live?”

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Josh

Your agent was so happy for the return of “ADRL Drag Racing Live” and he had a marvelous time listening to the debut of the second season.

It featured Pro Extreme driver Mick Snyder, who won last weekend at Maple Grove Raceway, and George Cooley, the co-owner of Stupid Fast Racing, which is the new sponsor for “ADRL Drag Racing Live.”

Both were superb guests and featured a bunch of great insight regarding a number of different drag racing topics.

Featuring all the top ADRL competitors and personalities as the only weekly show that is 100 percent devoted to the ADRL, “ADRL Drag Racing Live” is a quick-paced and informative online program.

The entertaining 60-minute broadcast of “ADRL Drag Racing Live” presented by Stupid Fast Racing will air live on the ADRL website, www.ADRL.us and also on www.blogtalkradio.com/adrldragracinglive. Every archived show is available on-demand for free on the ADRL website as well.

“ADRL Drag Racing Live” is hosted by ADRL Television personality Bret Kepner and ADRL Director of Media and Communications Josh Hachat.

“We are thrilled to have ‘ADRL Drag Racing Live’ returning for a second season and just as excited to have Stupid Fast Racing as the sponsor for the show,” ADRL Executive Vice President Jeff Fortune said. “They are a great new brand and their support will make for an outstanding new season for the broadcast.”

For more information on Stupid Fast Racing, visit www.reallystupidfast.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Stupid-Fast-Racing/304188866299701.

To listen to the first show of the new season, simply click below!

Listen to internet radio with ADRL DragRacing Live on Blog Talk Radio
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Back In Win Column, PXM’s McKinney Ready For Championship Hunt

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Josh

For nearly three years after his first ADRL win in Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Eric McKinney came incredibly close to a second, racking up impressive runs and outstanding reaction times only to come up just short on a number of occasions.

When McKinney finally returned to the winner’s circle last weekend at Maple Grove Raceway, that time away simply made the second victory that much sweeter.

McKinney claimed it at the Northeast Drags II presented by Penske, going 4.099 at 173.96 mph to beat Ronald Procopio in the finals, and leading to plenty of smiles from the Ohio-based team in a return to the winner’s circle.

“I’m just on cloud nine right now. This is awesome and I’m just having a blast,” McKinney said. “I’m tickled to death to do this, ride a bike like this and have a team like this. Without all the guys, there’s no way I would be in this position.”

His team has made a talented rider even better.

McKinney races Procopio in the Northeast Drags II finals

Included in the group is McKinney’s father, Scott, his uncle, Steve, and the newest addition to the team, Ashley Owens.

Of course, anyone familiar with PXM and the ADRL knows that name, as Owens spent the better part of the last two years re-writing the ADRL record book.

He won the 2011 championship and his 13 wins are tied with Billy Glidden for the most in ADRL history.

Now, he’s a major cog in McKinney’s team, which is hoping Owens’ addition is another piece to the puzzle for their own championship hunt. After the win at Maple Grove, McKinney jumped ahead of Casey Stemper for the top spot in the points standings, but, with seven races remaining in an ultra-competitive class, McKinney said nobody can be considered the favorite right now.

“We definitely hope we’re in the championship hunt, but there’s a lot of good teams out there. It’s going to be tight the entire year,” McKinney said. “There’s a lot that goes into winning races and championships.

“It’s the luck of the draw, being consistent and then having good people around you. With my dad, Ashley and everyone else, there’s a lot of great people on this team helping make things happen.”

After losing in the finals to Stemper in Houston to start 2012 and advancing to the semifinals in Bristol, McKinney put it all together in Maple Grove, snapping a dry spell that dates back to 2009.

McKinney

At Maple Grove, though, McKinney was a standout in every respect. He cut his usual strong lights, exemplified by his .011 reaction time in the finals, and had the low E.T. in each round.

McKinney also had a little luck come his way.

McKinney was involved in a wild semifinal race against Scott Gray, who went 4.091 and appeared to win on a holeshot against McKinney’s 4.089. But Gray’s bike hit the center cone to disqualify him, sending McKinney to the finals.

“I knew he had beat me but then I heard on the radio that I had won,” McKinney said. “That round win was all luck, but I’ll take it.”

Like many in the PXM class, McKinney is a fan of the new weight rule that went into effect for the 2012 season.

It’s tightened a close class that made tremendous strides the last half of 2011, which has made for tremendous racing through the first three ADRL events of 2012.

McKinney expects more the same when the ADRL and the PXM class heads to St. Louis on June 1-2 for the Gateway Drags IV presented by CarSafe at Gateway Motorsports Park.

“I think the weight rule has just tightened everyone up in this class even more,” McKinney said. “It’s just some incredible racing in this class. There are a lot of good riders in this class and there’s been a lot of awesome passes already. It’s so satisfying to get a win when the competition is this tight.”

 

Team McKinney

 

(Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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Ford Wins Third Straight, Holbrook Gets First SuperCar Showdown Win!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Josh

Although the American Drag Racing League’s wild new SuperCar Showdown division has only completed its third event, Chris Holbrook will admit it seemed to take forever to enter the winner’s circle. The popular Michigan racer finally hoisted an ADRL SCS trophy in front of a cheering fans after winning the ADRL’s Northeast Drags II presented by Penske at Maple Grove Raceway.

Holbrook beat previously undefeated Bo Butner on driving skill alone in the championship round which, for the third straight event, featured a pair of new supercharged Ford Mustang Cobra Jets in a wheelstanding duel which drew raves from spectators. Holbrook’s victory was the first in series history to be determined by a better reaction time. Holbrook’s silver “Instant Action” Ford clocked 5.88 seconds at a top speed of 119.17 miles per hour in the eighth-mile distance to stop Butner’s quicker 5.82-second run at 118.78 mph.

“To win due to a starting line ‘holeshot’ is the ultimate thrill for a driver,” said an elated Holbrook during the trophy presentation surrounded by his wife, sons and team members. “To finally beat Bo Butner was just as big for us. That’s something we thought we could do at the first two events but Bo has just been unstoppable. Winning another title for Ford is just awesome.”

In fact, the entire event played out almost exactly opposite of the first two races in the series. Beginning with the ADRL’s season-opening event in Houston, Texas, Holbrook’s Mustang had produced the quickest elapsed time of each race and also recorded the fastest speed of each program. Holbrook set the ADRL World Records for ET and speed, (5.75 seconds, 120.33 mph), but fell in the final round to Butner at the Houston race and lost in the semi-final round to fellow Ford Mustang campaigner Ray Skillman at the second SCS battle in Bristol.

Holbrook was the very first driver to submit an entry to the new The SuperCar Showdown, which features open competition among production vehicles from all automobile manufacturers worldwide with engines, chassis and even tires remaining in factory trim. His Holbrook Racing Engines emporium in Livonia, Michigan, worked closely with the Ford Motor Company in the development of the new supercharged 5.4-liter Cobra Jet engine. In fact, Holbrook’s late father, Carl, campaigned one of the first of the original Cobra Jet Mustangs in 1968.

“Our research and development program has centered on the SuperCar Showdown series. It’s really our main focus,” explained Holbrook. “I mentioned before the season ever started that Jesse Kershaw and Brian Wolfe of Ford Motorsports took this new class very seriously and I can promise you they’re even more intent on winning here now. My own longtime sponsor, Varsity Ford in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is equally committed to this project since they are a Cobra Jet dealership and to win this for them is very gratifying, as well.”

Holbrook’s road to the winner’s circle began as had the first two races in the series. In the very first qualifying session, Holbrook clocked 5.83 seconds at the fastest speed yet recorded for the SCS division, 120.97 mph, to earn the top qualifying position. However, Butner stole the pole spot only minutes later with a run of 5.828/118.08. Incredibly, Holbrook returned in the second qualifying session to knock Butner from the  top of the qualifying list by one solitary thousandth of a second with a run of 5.827.

On raceday, Holbrook clocked winning runs of 5.83/118.69 and 5.85/118.59 en route to the championship bout. Butner, whose white Cobra Jet Mustang competes with a Holbrook Racing Engines-constructed powerplant, kicked his day off with a 5.86/118.33 effort but was later nearly upset by another competitor with a better reaction time. Past National event champion Leonard Mattingly of Kentucky, at the wheel of Louisianan Jeff Teuton’s Southland Dodge-sponsored V10-powered Dodge Challenger SRT Drag Pak, recorded the best reaction time in SCS history, (0.015 seconds), and forced Hoosier Butner to streak to the quickest run of the race, 5.80 seconds, to barely pass the Dodge and secure a berth in the final round.

Holbrook, a past Pro Stock World Champion, and Butner, a previous sportsman division World Title holder, knew driver’s reactions would play a key role in the final contest but even Butner was stunned by Holbrook’s brilliant start. “No driver wants to lose on a holeshot,” said Butner, “but I can honestly say, if I was going to lose to anybody, I’m glad it was Chris. This way, it was an all-Ford final round for the third straight race so we all came out of it as winners.”

The next event in the 2012 SuperCar Showdown Series will be the ADRLs Gateway Drags IV presented by CarSafe  at Gateway Motorsports Parks in St. Louis on June 1-2.

(Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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Rave Reviews From The Northeast Drags II Presented By Penske!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Josh

After an absolutely spectacular ADRL event last weekend at Maple Grove Raceway, your agent wanted to pass on some of the kind words he received from the fans that helped make it a weekend to remember.

Paul and Andrea H:

Dear ADRL,
My family and I attended the Maple Grove Raceway Show on Fri. and Sat., and I just want to say thank you for the great Drag Racing entertainment, the awesome drivers and the professional Maple Grove and ADRL staff. Thank you for keeping the sport of Drag Racing affordable, such entry prices, concessions and souvenirs. I think the announcers were great in explaining the rules and cars to the crowd, and I even learned alot about the sport that I have been watching for 30 years. We will definitely be back to see you next year. Please share this with your ADRL staff and Maple Grove Raceway staff.

Mike and Yvonne L:

I gotta tell you, that was some of the best drag racing I’ve ever seen this weekend!  I watched it via the Internet which by the way was very good quality.  There were so many great moments and close races it’s hard to single any out but those two passes by (Billy Glidden) on Saturday were unbelievable.

We really wish we could of been there.  Hopefully some day ADRL can expand towards the West or maybe have one or two races out this direction, we would love to participate.

Thanks again for the great racing and providing the Internet coverage. (except I didn’t get much work done on the race car!)

Your agent also wanted to pass along some great comments from the ADRL Facebook page:

Lynn M.: Absolutely FANTASTIC weekend at The Grove !

Randy K: Thank you to the ADRL for the live video streaming. It was wild to watch. Was my first time to get to see ADRL. First class; thank you again.

Sylvain D.: Great time last night at the grove…many thanks to the ADRL!!!!!!

(Photo by ADRL/Richards)

Posted in Agent 660 Notes | 1 Comment

PX’s Snyder, Cooley On 2nd Season Debut Of “ADRL Drag Racing Live”

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Josh

Mick Snyder

The American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL) popular online radio show, “ADRL Drag Racing Live” is back and your agent can’t wait.

The world’s premier eighth-mile drag racing league is pleased to announce that Stupid Fast Racing is now the official sponsor of “ADRL Drag Racing Live.”

The newest season of the show will debut on Tuesday, May 8 at 9 p.m. EST, just days after the ADRL’s Northeast Drags II presented by Penske at Maple Grove Raceway.
Folks, that is TONIGHT!

The debut show for the second season will feature Pro Extreme driver Mick Snyder and the co-owner of Stupid Fast Racing, George Cooley!

Featuring all the top ADRL competitors and personalities as the only weekly show that is 100 percent devoted to the ADRL, “ADRL Drag Racing Live” is a quick-paced and informative online program.

The entertaining 60-minute broadcast of “ADRL Drag Racing Live” presented by Stupid Fast Racing will air live on the ADRL website, www.ADRL.us and also on www.blogtalkradio.com/adrldragracinglive. Every archived show is available on-demand for free on the ADRL website as well.

“ADRL Drag Racing Live” is hosted by ADRL Television personality Bret Kepner and ADRL Director of Media and Communications Josh Hachat.

“We are thrilled to have ‘ADRL Drag Racing Live’ returning for a second season and just as excited to have Stupid Fast Racing as the sponsor for the show,” ADRL Executive Vice President Jeff Fortune said. “They are a great new brand and their support will make for an outstanding new season for the broadcast.”

For more information on Stupid Fast Racing, visit www.reallystupidfast.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Stupid-Fast-Racing/304188866299701.

(Photo by ADRL/Richards)

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“ADRL Drag Racing Live” Is Back For Second Season, Premieres Tuesday (9 P.M. EST)

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Josh

George Cooley, middle, of Stupid Fast Racing

The American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL) popular online radio show, “ADRL Drag Racing Live” is back and with a new sponsor.

The world’s premier eighth-mile drag racing league is pleased to announce that Stupid Fast Racing is now the official sponsor of “ADRL Drag Racing Live.”

The newest season of the show will debut on Tuesday, May 8 at 9 p.m. EST, just days after the ADRL’s Northeast Drags II presented by Penske at Maple Grove Raceway.

“ADRL Drag Racing Live” presented by Stupid Fast Racing will then air every Tuesday in the same timeslot.

Created in 2011, Stupid Fast Racing is an innovative and premium apparel company, offering high-quality designs and eye-catching, bold racing apparel.

“We’re very excited to be the sponsor of the show and we’re honored to be part of the ADRL,” Stupid Fast Racing co-owner George Cooley said. “It’s such an informative show and it’s great for the public to hear from the racers.
“The ADRL is such a different format and for fans to be in touch with the drivers and know what they’re doing, it’s a great thing. All of the drivers – from Frankie Taylor to Todd Tutterow to Mike Castellana – they all take the time to do the show, which is exciting as well.”

Cooley and his business partner, Jeff Sommers, have been involved in the drag racing world for decades, and introduced the Stupid Fast Racing brand late in the 2011 racing season.

Even with just one design, it was an immediate hit at the final three ADRL races. With more than five cutting-edge designs for 2012, the brand has already proven to be popular in the drag racing community.

Providing outside-the-box designs, the premium brand has been a hit at each of the first two ADRL events. Stupid Fast Racing was at Maple Grove Raceway this weekend and will be at all remaining 2012 ADRL Tour events.

“We’ve got a great artist and a lot of good people behind us,” Cooley said. “We’re presenting something that is fresh and new and I think people will like that. We’re headed in the right direction and I think the attention and feedback we have received is very encouraging. Everyone here is extremely excited about our product line.”

Featuring all the top ADRL competitors and personalities as the only weekly show that is 100 percent devoted to the ADRL, “ADRL Drag Racing Live” is a quick-paced and informative online program.

The entertaining 60-minute broadcast of “ADRL Drag Racing Live” presented by Stupid Fast Racing will air live on the ADRL website, www.ADRL.us and also on www.blogtalkradio.com/adrldragracinglive. Every archived show is available on-demand for free on the ADRL website as well.

“ADRL Drag Racing Live” is hosted by ADRL Television personality Bret Kepner and ADRL Director of Media and Communications Josh Hachat.

The first show will take a look back at the ADRL Northeast Drags II presented by Penske, which takes place Friday and Saturday at Maple Grove Raceway.

“We are thrilled to have ‘ADRL Drag Racing Live’ returning for a second season and just as excited to have Stupid Fast Racing as the sponsor for the show,” ADRL Executive Vice President Jeff Fortune said. “They are a great new brand and their support will make for an outstanding new season for the broadcast.”

For more information on Stupid Fast Racing, visit www.reallystupidfast.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Stupid-Fast-Racing/304188866299701.

(Photo by ADRL/Richards)

Posted in 2012 Season, ADRL News | Leave a comment