Don Schumacher described his first ADRL experience as “interesting” and an “interesting way to run a race”.

The veteran NHRA team owner and past nitro legend told CompetitionPlus.com that he attended the first day of the ADRL Gateway Drags at Gateway International Raceway located outside of St. Louis at the urging of series officials who had invited him to take a look at their operation.

Schumacher accepted their invitation, but had wanted to see what the ADRL was about anyway.

Could An ADRL Team Be In DSR’s Future?

Don Schumacher described his first ADRL experience as “interesting” and an “interesting way to run a race”.

The veteran NHRA team owner and past nitro legend told CompetitionPlus.com that he attended the first day of the ADRL Gateway Drags at Gateway International Raceway located outside of St. Louis at the urging of series officials who had invited him to take a look at their operation.

Schumacher accepted their invitation, but had wanted to see what the ADRL was about anyway.

“I had found it intriguing based on everything that I have read and heard about the ADRL events – some of the people that they draw to the events, the demographics of the crowd because it's a young crowd,” Schumacher explained. “It was just something that I was intrigued by and I decided to take a ride down.”

Schumacher doubts the ADRL is planning to add nitro-burning Dragsters or Funny Cars to its lineup but added the Pro Extreme class, essentially a true “run-whatcha-brung” within the safety rules, could see a lot more nitro in its future.

“I don't see them bringing in Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars to upstage what they have already created,” Schumacher said. “The events are sold out. The St. Louis event, they had to close the gates at about 8 pm. It's a heck of a way of putting on a show and intriguing way of drawing new fans out to drag racing.”

Ever the marketer and team owner looking for a new angle to promote his highly successful Don Schumacher Racing operation, would he consider fielding a team in the ADRL?

“I don't preclude anything but there would have to be a business reason for me to do that,” Schumacher said. “I am certainly considering different situations that may cause me to get involved elsewhere.”

When asked if the ADRL invited him with designs on inspiring him to field a team, Schumacher answered, “Without a doubt.”

It was a known fact that Schumacher was intrigued by the injected-nitro combination fielded by Don Wooton. The fact it was running nitro is what Schumacher said caught his attention.

Well, it's the only car out there running nitromethane and I believe that will be the beginning of all the Pro Mod Extreme cars running nitromethane,” Schumacher explained. “It produces more horsepower, plain and simple and once they get the clutch and the tuning of the car down, I am sure it will show in their performance.”

If he does field a car, would it be one of the nitro persuasion? Time will tell.

“I haven't even considered what type of car it would be with or what I would do,” Schumacher said. “I just found it intriguing, interesting operation, very fan friendly, very racer friendly. Just an interesting form of racing that really goes back to what drag racing was once. A very enjoyable experience.”

An enjoyable experience and eighth-mile racing, that combination suits Schumacher just fine.

“I think eighth mile to thousand-foot is really the only way to race the powerful cars we are racing today,” Schumacher said. “To ever go back to 1320 feet would be a mistake by everybody.”
 

Advertisement