At this time last year, Charles Carpenter was hoisting his second Iron Eagle trophy of the season after winning the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League’s inaugural event at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH.

This year, he is looking to defend that championship and grab his first win of 2008 at the 2nd annual Ohio Drags. After appearing in the final round of the last three races he has entered, including the last two ADRL events, Carpenter would like nothing more than to break through for that first win of the season in Norwalk. At this time last year, Charles Carpenter was hoisting his second Iron Eagle trophy of the season after winning the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League’s inaugural event at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH.

This year, he is looking to defend that championship and grab his first win of 2008 at the 2nd annual Ohio Drags. After appearing in the final round of the last three races he has entered, including the last two ADRL events, Carpenter would like nothing more than to break through for that first win of the season in Norwalk.

“This is definitely my favorite track in the entire country,” Carpenter said. “The Baders maintain a facility and put on a show that are both second to none. Scoring that win last year was a great moment, and with the success we’ve had recently, we feel we have a good shot to get another win at this track.”

In only two ADRL national events this season, Carpenter has driven his way to the final round at both races. While competing in a local Quick 8 race at Farmington Dragway two weeks ago, Carpenter lowered his own personal best elapsed time yet again, this time to a 4.006 at over 185 MPH.

“This new Terry Murphy Racecars ’55 Chevy is performing incredibly well,” said Carpenter. “We are able to compete with the best of them out there in Pro Nitrous, despite giving up 100 or more cubic inches to some of the guys. That can be attributed to the way we are able to get this Shoebox to use our Fulton power most efficiently.”

Carpenter’s success on the ADRL trail has also propelled him to eighth place in the Battle for the Belts points standings. Winning races is the immediate goal, but Carpenter’s ultimate goal is remaining in the top eight in points, allowing the Pro Mod veteran an opportunity to compete for the championship at the end of the year.

“We knew it would be an uphill climb to get into the Battle for the Belts after missing the first handful of races this season,” said the Charlotte, NC based owner and driver. “But after cracking that top eight in just two races, it’s been a boost for this team and we are hoping to roll into Dallas with a shot at the championship. One of our supporters, Buddy’s Automotive Concepts, is based near there and it would be great to run well for those guys.”

“We can’t get ahead of ourselves though,” Carpenter cautioned. “We’ve still got this weekend’s race in Norwalk, then my home race, Dragstock, at Rockingham Dragway next month. We’ve got to stay consistent and perform up to our potential at both of these races for Custom Autosound, Doherty Motorsports, and all our supporters before we can look ahead at representing them in the Battle for the Belts at the end of the year.”