ADRL RETURNS TO MEMPHIS, ST. LOUIS
Sat, 2009-01-24 09:00
A hometown gig and a visit to the home of the blues are the latest additions to the 2009 National Guard ADRL tour.
ADRL officials have announced that after a two-year hiatus, the National Guard ADRL tour will return to Memphis Motorsports Park on May 22-23 for the ADRL Memphis Drags V. They also announced a return to familiar territory, Gateway International Raceway on June 19-20 for the ADRL Gateway Drags II.
The return to Memphis marks the return of the ADRL to the site of what was perhaps its most defining moment. While surveying a less than expected crowd turnout during the 2006 race, ADRL Executive VP of Operations Jessica Alcoke suggested that perhaps the league should give tickets away to get fans into the seats.
Her idea led to the birth of the successfully complimentary ticket distribution program currently utilized by the ADRL for all of its national events. A hometown gig and a visit to the home of the blues are the latest additions to the 2009 National Guard ADRL tour.
ADRL officials have announced that after a two-year hiatus, the National Guard ADRL tour will return to Memphis Motorsports Park on May 22-23 for the ADRL Memphis Drags V. They also announced a return to familiar territory, Gateway International Raceway on June 19-20 for the ADRL Gateway Drags II.
The return to Memphis marks the return of the ADRL to the site of what was perhaps its most defining moment. While surveying a less than expected crowd turnout during the 2006 race, ADRL Executive VP of Operations Jessica Alcoke suggested that perhaps the league should give tickets away to get fans into the seats.
Her idea led to the birth of the successfully complimentary ticket distribution program currently utilized by the ADRL for all of its national events.
Memphis Motorsports Park vice president and General Manager Jason Rittenberry and his staff are more than ready to have the ADRL's brand of all-professional drag racing back at their facility.
"Memphis is well aware of the on-track excitement the National Guard ADRL Series provides," said Rittenberrry. "We are excited that the ADRL Memphis Drags is returning home to Memphis Motorsports Park in 2009. We look forward to partnering with ADRL to deliver this marquee event to our race fans in Memphis."
For ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling, the chance to showcase his league's brand of racing in front of the local race fans has been two years in the making.
"Being able to race at our home track was obviously something that has been important to me," said Nowling. "We're thrilled to be back. I'm grateful to (Gateway Vice President and General Manager) Lenny Batycki and his entire staff for all of their work the past several months in making this event a reality."
Two years ago, when the ADRL last visited Gateway, the event was plagued by inclement weather as well as issues with the timing equipment. Nowling has felt that the fans in the bi-state area served by the drag strip never had the opportunity to see a complete National Guard ADRL show.
Batycki wholeheartedly agrees.
"All of us here at Gateway International Raceway are looking forward to the return of the National Guard ADRL to the place we consider to be its home track," said Batycki. "What Kenny Nowling and his group have done in the short time since they last raced here in 2006 has been nothing short of phenomenal.
ADRL officials have secured title sponsorship for both events, with announcements coming within weeks.
ADRL officials have announced that after a two-year hiatus, the National Guard ADRL tour will return to Memphis Motorsports Park on May 22-23 for the ADRL Memphis Drags V. They also announced a return to familiar territory, Gateway International Raceway on June 19-20 for the ADRL Gateway Drags II.
The return to Memphis marks the return of the ADRL to the site of what was perhaps its most defining moment. While surveying a less than expected crowd turnout during the 2006 race, ADRL Executive VP of Operations Jessica Alcoke suggested that perhaps the league should give tickets away to get fans into the seats.
Her idea led to the birth of the successfully complimentary ticket distribution program currently utilized by the ADRL for all of its national events. A hometown gig and a visit to the home of the blues are the latest additions to the 2009 National Guard ADRL tour.
ADRL officials have announced that after a two-year hiatus, the National Guard ADRL tour will return to Memphis Motorsports Park on May 22-23 for the ADRL Memphis Drags V. They also announced a return to familiar territory, Gateway International Raceway on June 19-20 for the ADRL Gateway Drags II.
The return to Memphis marks the return of the ADRL to the site of what was perhaps its most defining moment. While surveying a less than expected crowd turnout during the 2006 race, ADRL Executive VP of Operations Jessica Alcoke suggested that perhaps the league should give tickets away to get fans into the seats.
Her idea led to the birth of the successfully complimentary ticket distribution program currently utilized by the ADRL for all of its national events.
Memphis Motorsports Park vice president and General Manager Jason Rittenberry and his staff are more than ready to have the ADRL's brand of all-professional drag racing back at their facility.
"Memphis is well aware of the on-track excitement the National Guard ADRL Series provides," said Rittenberrry. "We are excited that the ADRL Memphis Drags is returning home to Memphis Motorsports Park in 2009. We look forward to partnering with ADRL to deliver this marquee event to our race fans in Memphis."
For ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling, the chance to showcase his league's brand of racing in front of the local race fans has been two years in the making.
"Being able to race at our home track was obviously something that has been important to me," said Nowling. "We're thrilled to be back. I'm grateful to (Gateway Vice President and General Manager) Lenny Batycki and his entire staff for all of their work the past several months in making this event a reality."
Two years ago, when the ADRL last visited Gateway, the event was plagued by inclement weather as well as issues with the timing equipment. Nowling has felt that the fans in the bi-state area served by the drag strip never had the opportunity to see a complete National Guard ADRL show.
Batycki wholeheartedly agrees.
"All of us here at Gateway International Raceway are looking forward to the return of the National Guard ADRL to the place we consider to be its home track," said Batycki. "What Kenny Nowling and his group have done in the short time since they last raced here in 2006 has been nothing short of phenomenal.
ADRL officials have secured title sponsorship for both events, with announcements coming within weeks.
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