ADRL BRINGS UNIQUE EVENT TO WESTERN MICHIGAN
With most ADRL racers never having competed before in Michigan, this will be the introduction of a new kind of drag racing to the region. ADRL competition is an all-pro-show with no filler classes, which translates to a quick-paced and entertaining day of drag racing. The stars of the ADRL are friendly, approachable and eager to visit with fans and pit access is included with all event tickets, which incidentally, are provided to the Western Michigan community almost entirely free of charge thanks to ADRL sponsors Pizza Hut, Flowmaster and the National Guard.
Drag racing fans in Western Michigan are in for a rare treat
June 6-7, as the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL)
presented by the National Guard visits Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at
U.S. 131 in Martin, Michigan for the first time with its 4th annual
ADRL Pizza Hut Summer Drags. The ADRL features racers from across the
country in four professional classes—Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Extreme
10.5 and Pro Extreme Motorcycle—competing in thrilling eighth-mile,
head-to-head action.
With most ADRL racers never having competed before in Michigan, this
will be the introduction of a new kind of drag racing to the region.
ADRL competition is an all-pro-show with no filler classes, which
translates to a quick-paced and entertaining day of drag racing. The
stars of the ADRL are friendly, approachable and eager to visit with
fans and pit access is included with all event tickets, which
incidentally, are provided to the Western Michigan community almost
entirely free of charge thanks to ADRL sponsors Pizza Hut, Flowmaster
and the National Guard.
On the track, Texas driver Joshua Hernandez will be looking to extend
his points lead in the supercharged Pro Extreme class after winning
both ADRL races contested so far this year. Also certain to be vying
for the Martin win will be defending ADRL world champion Jason Scruggs,
who at Rockingham, NC, last year became the first doorslammer driver
ever to exceed 200 miles per hour over an eighth mile. Scruggs also
holds the Pro Extreme elapsed time record of an incredible 3.70 seconds
and increased his speed record to an unreal 205.47 mph at the 2008
season opener in Houston.
Other top challengers include 2006 Pro Extreme champ Bubba Stanton,
young gun Travis Swearingen, Texas veteran Frankie “Madman” Taylor and
Michigan native Bob Mandell, who is featured in the current issue of
Adrenaline, official magazine of the ADRL, and available at the Martin
event.
Fresh off his career-first ADRL win and lowering the elapsed time
record to a brilliant 3.91 seconds last month at Valdosta, Georgia,
former Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Billy Harper leads the Pro
Nitrous contingent into Michigan. Points leader and Harper teammate
Dennis Radford also will pose a threat to win, as will Maryland’s Jim
Halsey, who tasted victory at two of the last four ADRL national
events.
They will be fending off the likes of 2006 class champ Keith Baker,
Shannon “The Iceman” Jenkins and 18-year-old reigning champion Jamie
Hancock, who became the youngest driver ever to win a major drag racing
world championship last year. Additionally, New Hudson, Michigan’s
Harold Martin will pilot the second National Guard entry in Pro Nitrous
trim.
ADRL created and debuted its Extreme 10.5 class last season, featuring
cars with no powerplant or weight limitations, but running on
relatively narrow 10.5-inch-wide rear slicks. After successfully
defending his event title in his native Georgia, points leader Mike
Hill will be hoping to continue the momentum up north. However, current
class champion Steve Gorman, who won at Houston in March, will provide
stiff competition alongside new elapsed-time record holder Steve Kirk
Jr., Texan Todd Moyer and Michelle Wilson, the only woman competing
full-time with the ADRL.
Pro Extreme Motorcycle also was added to the ADRL mix last year, but so
far has not seen any repeat winners. Top contenders like inaugural
class champion Billy Vose, Georgia winner Coodee Thomas and Houston
winner Ron Procopio certainly hope to change that stat in Michigan.
Regardless of the race outcome, these fearless riders on their
nitrous-assisted bikes promise to thrill the Martin crowd with wild,
side-by-side, wheels-up action.
With ideal-for-racing weather forecast for Western Michigan this
weekend, the 4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags at Knoll Gas Motorsports
Park at U.S. 131 is shaping up to be another record-setting ADRL
national event.
American Drag Racing League
4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags Fact Sheet
WHAT: The 4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags, the third of nine national
events this year for the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL)
presented by the National Guard. Includes four eighth-mile drag racing
classes: Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro
Extreme, the quickest and fastest full-bodied, doorslammer class in the
world.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, June 6-7, 2008
WHERE: Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at U.S. 131, 1249 12th Street, Martin, MI 49070
SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
THURSDAY, JUNE 5: Pit gates open 2 p.m.; event parking for all Pro categories and vendors from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, JUNE 6: Pit gates open 8 a.m.; event parking, tech
inspection and registration for all Pro categories from 8 a.m. to 7
p.m. Spectator gates open 9 a.m. Pro practice from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Pre-Qualifying Ceremonies at 7:45 p.m. Pro Qualifying Round 1 at 8 p.m.
Jet Car one run at 10:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, JUNE 7: Pit gates open 8 a.m.; event parking, final
tech inspection and registration for all Pro categories from 8 a.m. to
10 a.m. Spectator gates open 9 a.m. Pro Qualifying Round 2 at noon. Pro
Qualifying Round 3 at 2 p.m. Pro Eliminations Round 1 at 4 p.m.
Pre-Race Ceremonies at 6:45 p.m. Pro Eliminations continue at 7 p.m.
Jet Car runs at 8:15 p.m. Pro Eliminations continue at 9 p.m. Jet Car
runs at 10:15 p.m. Winner's Circle Party from 10:25 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Secure Event at 11:30 p.m.
TICKETS: FREE at more than 50 Western Michigan Pizza Hut
locations or track box office. FREE general admission both days at
track. General parking $10/car. All tickets include pit access and FREE
copy of Adrenaline magazine, official publication of the ADRL (while
supplies last).