When the IHRA and ADRL posted their opening events on the same date, many doorslammers were left with a tough choice of where to make their season start. For New York racer John Montecalvo, there was only one obvious choice to make:  run them both!

The IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a scant 270 miles (roughly five hours in a race rig), from the ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V in Houston, Texas. With eliminations being contested on different days, Montecalvo sees the feasibility of competing in both events. His plan is to qualify deep into the IHRA Pro Stock field on Friday, pack up and head to Houston where he hopes to qualify, race, and win ADRL Pro Stock Extreme on Saturday, then pack up and head back to Baton Rouge to capture the Iron Man on Sunday. When the IHRA and ADRL posted their opening events on the same date, many doorslammers were left with a tough choice of where to make their season start. For New York racer John Montecalvo, there was only one obvious choice to make:  run them both!

The IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a scant 270 miles (roughly five hours in a race rig), from the ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V in Houston, Texas. With eliminations being contested on different days, Montecalvo sees the feasibility of competing in both events. His plan is to qualify deep into the IHRA Pro Stock field on Friday, pack up and head to Houston where he hopes to qualify, race, and win ADRL Pro Stock Extreme on Saturday, then pack up and head back to Baton Rouge to capture the Iron Man on Sunday.

“When I saw that the IHRA and ADRL had scheduled their first events on the same weekend, and that both sides were unrelenting to change their schedule, I was disappointed. I want to race against all the best in Pro Stock, not half the best. I also want to see all of our friends that compete in the many divisions. The only way I can accomplish that this weekend is to compete at both facilities. If the events were any farther apart, that might not be possible, but I think we can pull it off. My crew is game and committed to doing the excellent job they always do.”

The soft-spoken but resolute racer clearly feels that the inconvenient scheduling was a mistake by both sanctioning bodies. “I want to support both organizations,” Montecalvo continues. “I have put a lot of time, energy and money into IHRA. Although I may not agree with some of their decisions and often question their rationale I still consider Aaron and all of the IHRA staff, my friends.  The goal has always been the same and that is to elevate IHRA to the level it belongs and to give the fans a good show.  It is heartbreaking to see IHRA losing competitors in the classes they created: Pro-Modified and Mountain Motor Pro Stock.  Hopefully, the Feld Organization can see the potential and do what’s necessary and bring it back to its glory days.  In the meantime, I am really looking forward to racing in Baton Rouge.

“On the other hand I want to personally thank Kenny Nowling for offering us another opportunity to race in different market areas and facilities.  He certainly takes his lumps, here and there, but is obviously filling a void that is not being filled by the other organizations.  Having tested at the beautiful Houston facility numerous times I can’t wait to compete there. 

“I am definitely being a little optimistic and, of course we will need some luck and cooperation from mother-nature, but the possibility of winning two events on the same weekend is too tempting to ignore.  Now if we can only get our hands on a good 500 inch motor!!!”

Montecalvo warmed up for his Olympic-sized drag racing feat by testing at South Georgia Motorsports Park last weekend. The team laid down some solid passes and is well on their way to accomplishing their lofty goal, and perhaps making a little bit of history.