Coming off its most successful and exciting racing season ever, the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL) presented by the National Guard is ready to celebrate Dec. 13, with its 2008 Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala in the Regency Ballroom at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

“We’re really looking forward to recognizing our 2008 world champions and presenting some well-deserved special awards, too,” series president Kenny Nowling said. “The racers truly are the backbone of the ADRL and deserve a special night like this.”


Coming off its most successful and exciting racing season ever, the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL) presented by the National Guard is ready to celebrate Dec. 13, with its 2008 Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala in the Regency Ballroom at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

“We’re really looking forward to recognizing our 2008 world champions and presenting some well-deserved special awards, too,” series president Kenny Nowling said. “The racers truly are the backbone of the ADRL and deserve a special night like this.”

In addition to awarding 2008 world championship rings to Jason Scruggs (Pro Extreme), Billy Harper (Pro Nitrous), Billy Glidden (Extreme 10.5) and Bill Vose (Pro Extreme Motorcycle), the ADRL will name its 2008 Rookie of the Year, Driver of the Year and Track of the Year. Also, the Jim Oddy Award will be presented to the ADRL racer who most demonstrated sportsmanship along with competitive drive throughout the 2008 season.

Finally, the 7th annual Walter W. Henry Memorial Award, the most prestigious award in doorslammer drag racing, will be presented to the person or individuals that have made a significant impact on the sport over an extended period of time. Past winners include ADRL co-founder Dave Wood and noted drag racing historian and ADRL television reporter Bret Kepner.           

All current ADRL drivers, riders and sponsors are offered complimentary passes to the semi-formal attire event, which starts at 7 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony wrapping up by 11 p.m. To RSVP, send an email to rsvp@ADRL.us or call the ADRL office at (636) 272-2375. Additional tickets for guests and team members are available for $50 each, payable by credit card, check or money order, and must be purchased by 5 p.m., Dec. 3, as tickets will not be available at the door.

The Flowmaster ADRL Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala will cap off the huge, annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show, where the ADRL will be holding its annual press conference Dec. 12, at 2 p.m., to release its 2009 national-event schedule, along with rules revisions and major sponsorship announcements. ADRL attendees are encouraged to visit the PRI Web site (www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow) to arrange trade show credentials, if desired, or book reservations at the Embassy Suites or other area hotels.

“This is going to be another great ADRL event that our racers, sponsors and employees will be talking about long into the New Year,” Nowling predicted. “I expect the Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala will be a big hit and the start of a wonderful ADRL tradition.”