Robert Patrick may not be the quickest and fastest Extreme Pro Stock racer to compete in this weekend’s ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V in Houston, Texas. He might not emerge as the winner on Saturday night when the event concludes.
 
That kind of reality doesn’t concern the driver of the Purvis Ford-sponsored Shelby Cobra, nor does it bring cause for disappointment.
 
The Fredericksburg, Va.-based driver holds one title that none of his colleagues can ever lay claim.

Robert Patrick may not be the quickest and fastest Extreme Pro Stock racer to compete in this weekend’s ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V in Houston, Texas. He might not emerge as the winner on Saturday night when the event concludes.
 
That kind of reality doesn’t concern the driver of the Purvis Ford-sponsored Shelby Cobra, nor does it bring cause for disappointment.
 
The Fredericksburg, Va.-based driver holds one title that none of his colleagues can ever lay claim.
 
Patrick will forever be immortalized as the first driver to win an Extreme Pro Stock national event, a feat he pulled off last year at the ADRL U.S. Drags in Budds Creek, Md.
 
This weekend, he has the opportunity to add to the unique distinction by becoming the first driver to win and lead the point standings in the maiden season of ADRL’s Extreme Pro Stock division. Last year Extreme Pro Stock was an exhibition category. This year it’s the real deal.
 
Patrick fully believes that he will have to be the real deal if he hopes to have a chance to vie for his second career world championship since winning the 2007 IHRA world championship.
 
The ADRL hosted two exhibition20Extreme Pro Stock events in 2008 and with six round wins Patrick emerges as the early leader in victory tallies.
 
“I think winning that first race when you look at the direction the ADRL is headed is something that will hold a lot of value and even though it was an exhibition, I cherish that win,” Patrick said.
 
The past is the past and Patrick has all memories blocked out in order to make room for what he hopes to accomplish during this weekend’s historic event.
 
“There might not be a full field this weekend but as the season progresses it’s going to be clear that ADRL Extreme Pro Stock is the place to be,” Patrick said. “I think this weekend will provide an excellent opportunity to get a good head start. But I assure you one thing there won’t be any ducks out here this weekend. Every round win a driver gets will be earned.”
 
Qualifying for the ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V begins this evening at 6 PM, C.S.T., with on session scheduled for Friday. Saturday will offer two more qualifying sessions followed by final eliminations.